Confessions of a Misguided Trio

The Politics of Protest

Dear Readers:

Poll: what is the difference between wearing leather and wearing fur?

More later....

posted by Carla @ 1:38 PM 1 comments

All Hail Sir Bono!

From the Prime Minister of England's Website.
Tony Blair says the honorary knighthood awarded to anti-poverty campaigner Bono is a deserved reward for his "remarkable" humanitarian work.

In a letter to Sir Bono, Blair says...
I am absolutely delighted that you have accepted an honorary KBE in recognition of your outstanding contribution to music and for your remarkable humanitarian work.

I'll leave it to others far more knowledgeable than me to talk about U2's music. All I'll say is that, along with millions of others right across the world, I am a huge fan. But I feel a little more qualified to talk about your personal commitment to tackling global poverty and, in particular, to Africa.

I know from talking to you how much these causes matter to you. I know as well how knowledgeable you are about the problems we face and how determined you are to do all you can to help overcome them. You have tirelessly used your voice to speak up for Africa.

I want personally to thank you for the invaluable role you played in the run up to the Gleneagles G8 Summit. Without your personal contribution, we could not have achieved the results we did. So thank you and I look forward to continuing to work together to maintain momentum on Africa, and ensure leaders around the world meet the promises they have made.

Both in your music and in your determination to help tackle global poverty, you have been an inspiration.

Those out there who know me, are fully aware of just how much of a fan of Bono's I am. The countless debates that separate this man from the likes of Pink, and her stance against the Australian Farmers, are always fun and passionate, and might I add, always finish with Bono streets ahead.

A deserved knighthood in my book... Now if she would only give one to me, this world would be such a better place. (I can't back that up, but I do enjoy the occasional Sir Mark salutation!)

If I don't get back here in time, Happy Holidays to all our readers, and may you all have a safe and prosperous New Year!

Labels: Bono, Tony Blair, U2

posted by Mark @ 12:59 PM 2 comments

Inflatable Santas Prosecuted in Iraq

Whoops, got those two NY Times headlines all jumbled up.

1) For once, the NYT agrees with me (it's hard to be sarcastic in type): those inflatable santas [pictured above] which some people think are cool really do look like shit.

2) In a bid to increase credability in Iraq, the US is moving towards punishing soldiers who allegedly have been involved in crimes. Today, four US marines were charged with the murder of 24 Iraqi civilians, including 10 women and children, and an elderly man in a wheelchair.

Military prosecutors also charged four officers, including a lieutenant colonel in charge of the First Marine Regiment’s Third Battalion, with dereliction of duty and failure to ensure that accurate information about the killings was delivered up the Marine Corps’ chain of command. A military investigation has found evidence that Marine officers may have obscured certain facts in the case.

The Marines could punish other ranking officers administratively in weeks to come. But the criminal charges filed yesterday against Lt. Col. Jeffrey R. Chessani, 42, and three other officers reflect an unusually aggressive judicial reaction by military prosecutors to a massacre that has damaged the military’s credibility with Iraqi officials and civilians, military justice experts said.

Marines Charge 4 With Murder of Iraq Civilians [NYT]

posted by Carla @ 9:13 PM 1 comments

Human Security Report

Via Reuters AlertNet: Human Security Centre has released its Human Security Brief 2006 today 'with some encouraging news from the field of conflict resolution':

The number of violent conflicts around the world is down, as is the number of battle deaths. Also, the number of wars ended by negotiated settlement is growing. As with the Centre's 2005 report, credit for these successes goes to increased international action, led by the UN, to prevent and resolve deadly conflicts and support post-conflict reconstruction.

The report can be found here. [Human Security Centre]

posted by Carla @ 11:40 AM 0 comments

Latham to Dance?

It appears as though former Australian Federal Labor leader Mark Latham, may take up an offer to dance after channel 7 has reportedly offered him AU$300,000 to appear on Dancing With the Stars. I won't bother going into what Dancing With the Stars entails, I mean it's pretty obvious, the title kind of sums it up...

Mark Latham however, well he is a different kettle of fish... Quite possibly the dumbest opposition leader in Australian Government history, Latham sold out his party and quite possibly himself. The only man who lost the unloosable election, and abused a pensioner in the process. (see picture)
Seven chasing after Latham isn't a surprise, the show has reportedly lost some million viewers when people started catching on to the fact that amateur celebrities really do make amateur dancers. Perhaps Dancing with the Stars' all time bragging point was rejuvenating the career of former KKK member and founder of One Nation Pauline Hansons carreer aspirations.

Hanson recently held a press conference, which doesn't say much for the press that actually attended, to announce that she was contemplating running for either the Senate or House of Reps in 2008. Showing intelligence comparable to Latham's Hanson said that one of the reasons she wanted to run was because a third of black South Africans coming to Australia have TB and some have AIDS, from News.com.au:

Ms Hanson said she had been told by a hospital worker of an African woman with AIDS who had given birth to a child with AIDS.

"There's increasing numbers of TB (tuberculosis) and they have picked up ... It could be almost one third that actually carries TB," she said.

"I have got children, grandchildren ... I would hate to see anyone who may be subjected to catching TB or AIDS

Australian Greens Senator Bob Brown, perhaps summed up Hanson the best... the former fish-and-chip shop owner did more damage to Australia every time she opened her mouth than any immigrant every could.

Hanson is writing an autobiography at the moment, yes, I was surprised that she could write as well, yet she denies that she is trying to boost publicity so some crackpot will buy a copy of her book.

In more Hanson news, the United States proved that it wasn't a stupid as we all thought it was demanding that she explain here 73 day jail sentence and charge of electoral fraud, before issuing her a visa... Hanson was seriously upset with having to travel to Sydney "I was furious when I found out - absolutely furious. I might even have to have my fingerprints taken before they will let me in."

Oh no... Not finger prints, but Pauline what if the person from America taking your fingerprints has AIDS or TB, or a Brain... You might contract something by letting them touch you, I also understand that black ink is actually utilised by foreign governments to infect the soul with all sorts of nasty bacteria.

I don't know why I just went on a bit of a tirade about the two biggest idiots Australia has ever seen, I guess because it's Christmas and I just spent all my money buying presents...

Latham Story available here.
Hanson Story available here and here.
Brown quote here.

posted by Mark @ 12:45 PM 0 comments

Bono Turns into English Prat...

In the spirit of the silly season I was going to let this one go, but then decided the season isn't really silly, Yahoo! News is just stupid...

It appears as though the geniuses at Yahoo! Entertainment, have decided that Bono is no longer everyone's favorite Irish, part rockstar, part activist and all round good guy... Instead they have transformed him into an English prat whose best work so far has been singing other peoples songs...

Okay, that may be a little harsh, I don't mind the occasional sing-a-long with Robbie Williams, but to find out that Mr Williams was meeting with U.S. Congress officials to talk about issues such as the AIDS pandemic and Poverty was a shock, to learn that he had changed his name to Bono, well that was just disgusting...

The whole article can be found here.

Obviously there was a bit of a mix up at Yahoo! Or someone is just slacking off...

Either way, when the members of the U.S. Congress meet Robbie Williams for anything other than how to make a State Premier pay for your smoking fine (see Beattie to pay Williams fines), will be the day that I officially retire from life!

posted by Mark @ 10:51 PM 0 comments

Hello, again

Trying hard here not to sound like the annoying relative who disappears for tremendous amounts of time, then pops back into your life with a stuffed toy. (but stuffed toys are alright, aren't they?)

Anyways, yours truly is just back from the federal liberal leadership convnetion in Montreal (small case on purpose; aren't I tres witty).

A surprising result. Will finish this post with a completely unrelated photo. More later.



Press conferences are a real bitch, eh.

posted by Carla @ 11:19 AM 0 comments

Labor Party Scoop

Of little interest to our international audience, and just announced a second ago, Kevin Rudd has won the leadership battle 49 voted to 39...

posted by Mark @ 3:43 PM 1 comments

Little Kim...

Not that little Kim! The smaller one...

Kim Jong-IL has done the impossible, the wise and benevolent leader of North Korea, or as his fans prefer, the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) has managed to do what nobody else has...

North Korean media, which often gives glowing reports of Kim offering expert guidance on subjects as varied as cobbling shoes, firing howitzers and irrigating fields, said its Dear Leader has been deeply concerned about AIDS.

"Under the wise guidance of leader Kim Jong-IL, the DPRK (North Korea) established the strategy of prevention and control of AIDS with orderly systems of its information, prognostication and watch, and examination across the country," an official newspaper said.

"On this basis, measures have been taken not to allow a single AIDS case," Minju Josun said in a report carried on the English-language KCNA news agency.

That's awesome! 5 Gold Stars to Kimbo...

Unfortunately UNAIDS has no definitive data on AIDS prevalence within North Korea so they are unable to confirm the report. But I mean come on... It's Kim, surely he wouldn't fib about people dieing in his country, I mean that would just be evil...

Or maybe he is just ticked off that he can't have any more Courvoisier whilst listening to his Ipod...

The International Herald Tribune reported this week that the proposed sanctions that the United States wishes to impose upon the DPRK include...

No more cognac, Rolex watches, cigarettes, artwork, expensive cars, Harley Davidson motorcycles, even personal watercraft such as Jet Skis iPods, plasma television sets, Segway electric scooters and more.

It appears as though, for the first time in the history of the world, (I can't guarantee that) the US is targeting sanctions towards one person. Let's hope it doesn't make little Kim to mad, or he just may try to do something drastic...

Like...

Oh I don't know...

Um...

Oh yeah...

Use a weapon of mass destruction...

I mean lets face it, all the cool kids have one, why not use it when you don't get to play with the other toys...

posted by Mark @ 7:59 PM 0 comments