Public opinion (aka votes) means that a face-saving new enquiry is now to be held into potentially awarding a VC to Seaman Teddy Sheean for his extraordinary bravery during World War II. (more…)
John Menadue
-
John Menadue. Comments on Pearls and Irritations.
As many readers may have noticed, we have moved to an automated comments program called Disqus which allows you to sign up via Facebook and Twitter. It also vets obnoxious comments and ads. Otherwise our comments policy remains the same.
-
ANDREW JAKUBOWICZ. Is Australia a racist nation? Reflections on the last 25 years of denial – Part 1 of Racism Series
The last time Australia was labelled a racist nation by a regional power was in the wake of the election of John Howard and the emergence of Pauline Hanson in 1996 and 1997. (more…)
-
BEVAN RAMSDEN. Campaigning for an independent, self-reliant, and sustainable manufacturing sector
Australia has lost much of its manufacturing industry, including the ability to produce essential strategic materials, and has become far too dependent on imports which are subject to disruption from pandemics, wars and foreign political threats. (more…)
-
JOHN MENADUE. Michael Mullins as Guest Editor
For three weeks from Monday 15 June, Michael Mullins will be Guest Editor of Pearls and Irritations. Michael was formerly Editor of Eureka Street.
-
BRUCE CAMERON. Australia’s First Defenders
Surely, the first defenders of Australia who tried to protect their family with spears when confronted by muskets and canon, deserve our admiration and respect. (more…)
-
TERRY FEWTRELL. . Catholic bishops need to give up secrecy and learn to trust
Australia’s Catholic bishops seem to have learned little from the sexual abuse scandal and associated cover-ups, writes Terry Fewtrell. Pushed by a Royal Commission (RC) report to implement reforms, they recently reverted to standard operating procedures of delay and secrecy in suppressing a major report on governance reform. (more…)
-
ROBERT GATES. The Overmilitarization of American Foreign Policy (Foreign Affairs July/August 2020)
Donald Trump’s decision to go it alone in responding to the coronavirus pandemic is but the latest manifestation of the United States’ waning global leadership, writes Robert M Gates. (more…)
-
Robert Hendrickson on Donald Trump’s Church fiasco
Robert Hendrickson, Rector, Saint Philip’s in the Hills Episcopal Church on Donald Trump’s ‘lies and childish inanities.’ (more…)
-
ANTOINETTE MITCHELL. From Trump Tower to The Violent Trumps of America
It’s June 5, 1980, exactly thirty years ago, and the magnificent art deco Bonwit Teller building in Manhattan, is smashed to the ground. (more…)
-
PETER BROOKS, STEPHEN DUCKETT and BRIAN OLDENBURG. Telehealth and digital health navigators – a bright future.
Telehealth is not new in Australia but Covid -19 and the new Medicare item numbers have stimulated its rapid adoption across the country. It is clear patients like it. They do not need to expose themselves to potentially dangerous environments such as hospitals and clinics. It saves them time whether in rural or urban environments and it delivers care – and patient education, in their own environment. (more…)
-
MICHAEL FURTADO. Why Quentin Dempster, Malcolm Turnbull and John Warhurst are wrong about Catholic School Funding
We are at an historic moment of apocalyptic threat to the survival of the Australian Catholic Church, the Catholic Bishops say. Among the institutions facing their greatest threat are Australia’s Catholic Schools. Here’s what’s happening. (more…)
-
JOHN MENADUE. The dangerous and erratic ally that offers us ‘protection’! An updated repost. Part 2 of 2
Yesterday I discussed US ‘exceptionalism’ and that the US is almost always at war. Today I discuss the US domestic sickness- a failing democracy,inequality, racism and violence.
-
HELENA COBBAN. Another American first: A self-collapsing empire!( Just World News 2.6.2020)
It is impossible to see how the United States can at any point in the next quarter century regain anything like the commanding position in the world system that it occupied from 1991 through late 2019. What we are experiencing is not just a decline but a collapse of America’s global hegemony. (more…)
-
RAY MOYNIHAN. Many of the world’s most influential medical leaders too cosy with pharma.
A new study of powerful medical leaders in the US finds around three-quarters have financial relationships with drug companies – with some doctors accepting millions. The study could not have been done in Australia, where many doctor-drug company payments remain in the dark.
-
TIM BUCKLEY & PRAVEEN GUPTA. Energy is pivotal to India’s economic development and sustainability goals. Part 2 of 2.
In Part 1, Tim Buckley and Praveen Gupta discussed the influences on India’s economic growth, energy security and environmental sustainability. In Part 2 they explore the Indian government’s energy strategies and possible ways forward.
-
JOHN MENADUE. The dangerous and erratic ally that offers us ‘protection’! An updated repost. Part 1 of 2
Apart from brief isolationist periods, the US has been almost perpetually at war. The greatest military risk we run is being led by the nose into a US war with China. The record is clear. We have allowed ourselves to be drawn into the wars of the UK and the US time and time again. We have forfeited our strategic autonomy while parroting on about our sovereignty
-
JOHN ASHTON. The UK with the world’s second worst response to COVID-19.
The UK response to COVID-19 has been marred by bad decisions in the face of an impending crisis, built on a decade of inadequate resources, planning and organisational preparedness to make the UK second only to the USA in terms of deaths from the virus.
-
MARIANA MAZZUCATO and GIULIO QUAGGIOTTO. The big failure of small government(Social Europe 26.5.2020)
It is no coincidence that countries with mission-driven governments have fared better in the Covid-19 crisis than those beholden to the cult of efficiency.
-
TIM BUCKLEY & PRAVEEN GUPTA. Energy is pivotal to India’s economic development and sustainability goals. Part 1 of 2.
In Part 1, Tim Buckley and Praveen Gupta explore the factors influencing India’s economic growth, energy and water security, natural resources, air pollution and environmental sustainability. (more…)
-
HAL PAWSON. Why COVID Commission must back social housing stimulus
The Prime Minister’s COVID Commission is supposed to be advising government on how to ‘facilitate the fastest possible recovery of lives and livelihoods’ after the pandemic. Yet it’s main focus appears to be the promotion of a fossil-fuelled medium-term industrial strategy tailored to mining interests. Advocacy for a social housing stimulus investment program would be a far more suitable way for the Commission to fulfil its proper purpose.
-
The Light From the Southern Cross. A report on Catholic Church Governance
This confidential 208 page Report ‘promoting Co-Responsible Governance in the Catholic Church in Australia’ was commissioned by the Australian Catholic Bishops and Religious Superiors to review the Catholic Church’s governance and management structures. This followed the final report of the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse.
-
CHRIS NYLAND. Perhaps Not a Good Time to Poke the Dragon?
A number of commentators have expressed surprise that Canberra would provoke China at a time when the Australian economy may be desperate to increase exports! (more…)
-
DENNIS RICHARDS. Trumpism redefines American exceptionalism
Americans shamelessly believe that their nation and their culture are superior and exceptional. Under Trump America’s reputation around the world is depleted. There is a real danger that his may become permanent should Trump be re-elected in November 2020. (more…)
-
Thanks to Ramesh Thakur
Many thanks to Ramesh Thakur who has been Guest Editor of Pearls and Irritations for last three weeks. I will be rolling up my sleeves again.
Thanks also to writers and donors
John Menadue
-
JOHN MENADUE. Comments in Pearls and Irritations
We are receiving an increased volume of comments on articles. That is very encouraging. But if comments are to be posted they should not exceed 100 words and must include the full name of the writer. (more…)
-
ANNA YEATMAN. Our politicians, we realise, can actually govern.
Human survival and wellbeing must become the ethical basis of all government. (more…)
-
Ramesh Thakur as Guest Editor
For three weeks from Monday 4 May, Ramesh Thakur will be Guest Editor of Pearls and Irritations (more…)
-
Vale Greg Dodds
After a long illness Greg Dodds died last week in Perth. Kim Beazley will speak at his funeral today (30 April 2020) (more…)
-
MICHAEL POWELL Morrison seeking unimpeded power
Conservatives always seek unimpeded power and Scott Morrison is no exception. Some cynics suggest this is a ‘right to rule’ mentality, but it is not. It is a duty. A ‘right to rule’ is arrogance; a ‘duty’ is more sinister because it is steeped in moral certainty. (more…)