News
As Labor MPs freak out and story hungry journos continue to facilitate a public flogging of the Prime Minister, some light succour as
a recent poll shows Gillard as preferred Prime Minister over Abbott for the first time in months. Not to suggest that either of them are popular in the slightest, but perhaps the past two months hasn't been quite as dismal for the PM as the media would like you to believe. Gillard held a BBQ at the Lodge over the weekend to try and corral her restive caucus into shape. Bob Hawke was there and treated the assembled parliamentarians to a celebratory jug scull. I hope.
A cold snap is powering its way through Europe, killing hundreds and blanketing the south of the continent in snow for the first time in decades. Temperatures have hit minus 40 and Heathrow had to cancel half its flights yesterday, although whether this was due to the cold is open to question. Goddamn Heathrow.
The UN found itself once again paralysed by realpolitik over the weekend, with
both China and Russia vetoing an Arab League resolution that called for Assad's immediate departure from the Syrian Presidency. Still stung over the way things unfolded in Libya, both China and Russia (and especially Russia) are trying to control the narrative in Syria and/or position themselves more successfully for the post-Assad era. The double veto led to uncommonly blunt language from representatives around the world, with Hillary Clinton labelling it a "travesty" and UK Foreign Secratary William Hague saying the two had "blood on their hands". Meanwhile, the killings are accelerating inside Syria as the Government tries to wrest back control of the restive provinces. More than two hundred people are thought to have died over the last two days alone.
Egypt is wrestling with the aftermath of the deadly soccer riots that claimed over 70 lives (potentially with the tacit consent of the military), with
violent counter-protests in Cairo now having claimed 12 lives of their own in the past four days. Democracy: she is a bloody process.
In a curious turning of the tables,
Anonymous have eavesdropped on an FBI conference call with agencies in the UK and France being held to discuss international actions against the group. Always one step ahead...
Mitt Romney scored a decisive primary victory in Mormon-heavy Nevada, a not unexpected but still important notch in his path toward the nomination. Gingrich remains defiant – and launched a comical attack accusing Romney of running a nasty campaign – although his prospects for further victory before the Super Tuesday primaries in early March are looking increasingly slim. Ron Paul and Santorum trailed dismally, although if Santorum drops out soon then Gingrich could well profit from his absence. And the longer this battle goes on, the better it is for Obama. And the world. Although, on the other side, if Santorum drops out it means we won't be treated to quite so much utter insanity on the campaign trail.
His most recent effort: abortion causes breast cancer. Meanwhile, more cause for optimism in the Obama camp, as
recently released job figures show unemployment having returned to 8.3%, the levels at which he started his Presidency. If this trend continues, it is going to be increasingly difficult for Romney to paint Obama as an economically ruinous President, the current major theme of his campaign. And finally, here's a Gingrich hot shot for you. Rawr.
Features
Lara Tingle sets out rather starkly the various forces and factors working against our current Prime Minister and her entire political party.
A wonderfully written but heartbreaking account of gay teen suicide in America, particularly the persecution witnessed in Michele Bachmann's home district. Where diversity comes to die in evangelical Christianity's judgmental love.
Oddities/Curiosities
Now here's a curious one -
a Chilean man has been arrested for attempting to steal five tonnes worth of Patagonian glacier. I do hope they filmed the arrest for Chilean COPS.
As Facebook prepares for its IPO, an event that will instantly turn it into one of the world's richest companies, a rival is being launched that has been designed
to allow the world's richest 200 people and national leaders to talk with each other. I imagine In order to chat about how good being rich and powerful is. "Just had a $300 cocktail with black market Patagonian ice in it". LIKE.
Video
Michelle Obama does push ups on Ellen. I think they're all going to vote for her husband.