There has been an intolerable spate of bullying in Australian schools. I’m not one for statistics because they are misused, but apparently 70% of senior students in our schools consider bullying a problem. See what I mean by a silly stat? I would have thought that 100% would regard it as a problem, but there you are. Your child has been bullied and so you do the right thing. You go to the authorities who should be protecting him or her. But the school headmaster and the police are derelict in their duties and nothing is done about it. So what should you do about the problem? Continue reading
So you think you’re cultured?
No welcome for President Carter in Israel
He was not invited. He is no friend and yet he has the audacity to turn up in Israel before going to fraternise with Hamas leaders in Gaza. As if that’s not enough of an insult, he intends to meet with Hamas supremo Khaled Meschaal who’s operating from Damascus. Continue reading
Why defend Mrs Rudd’s poor dress sense?
Lately I’ve been reminded of that famous saying “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery.” But plagiarism goes too far. I say that because I’ve noticed that too frequently when I make an observation and use particular analogies they turn up in a newspaper article a day or two day later. Continue reading
Trinny and Susannah- Mrs Rudd needs you!
When Trinny and Susannah, fashion gurus from England, came downunder to Australia, I was hoping that they might have some fashion advice for the Prime Minister’s wife, Therese Rein. But alas and alack, that was not to be and a golden opportunity was missed. I wrote about Mrs Rudd’s poor dress sense last year.
And now, four months after the election, the newspapers have finally dared to criticise the Prime Minister’s wife’s fashion nonsense. Continue reading
2020 Summit rejects AMA president.
The head of the Australian Medical Association is not happy that she was excluded from the 2020 Summit of the Best and Brightest in April. I am amazed that Dr Capolingua should be under the illusion that her views would be welcome. In my opinion she has nothing to contribute. Continue reading
Mr Rudd- impressions do count.
When I watched the Prime Minister of Australia prance cutely up the stairs of his plane I thought he needed a lesson in moving like a man. A swagger like John Wayne, a ramrod stride like Robert Mitchum, perhaps, even a normal homo erectus march would be better than the merry munchkin frolic of Kevin Rudd. T.V stations played his ascent over and over again and there was plenty of discussion about his jerky farewell at the top of the steps. Frankly, he looked like a silly schoolboy on a first date. I’ve said it before, in politics impressions count. Continue reading
President Bush -honorary Queenslander
In an affable meeting between President Bush and Aussie Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, Bush said he admired Rudd because he was like a Texan, a straight-shooter. Rudd reciprocated by saying that he will make Bush an honorary Queenslander. Continue reading
You can’t legislate against stupidity
The latest obsession in the media is the number of young people who binge drink. It’s astounding how some old topics crop up from time to time. Nothing comes of the discussion. Nothing can come. Just a lot of hot air. Here’s more of it… Continue reading
Up and Down in New Zealand
We have just spent ten days in New Zealand, which is a group of islands about three hours’ flight from Australia. Many Kiwis (that’s what they call themselves) have made Australia their home and interestingly, not many Aussies have reciprocated. Aussies do like to visit New Zealand, however, because it’s close to us, our dollar is worth more over there, and the language is almost intelligible to our ear. Continue reading
“Notes on a Scandal” by Zoë Heller- a review.
Popular travel writer and social commentator, Bill Bryson, said he had difficulty writing about Australia in his book “Downunder” because he likes this country. He said it was much easier to criticise than to praise. After you have said that something is good, that’s about it. As it turns out, Bryson’s admiration for Australia resulted in a book that was less humorous and certainly not as entertaining as his previous works.
In the same way that Bryson could not do his usual acerbic shtick in “Downunder”, I’m having trouble writing about “Notes on a Scandal”. I liked it too much to pick it to bits. Continue reading
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