I Wish I Was Ern Malley

For Australians it seems that no good news comes out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Sometimes it's no news at all, but usually it's bad news. So it's no surprise at all that Iraq's largely peaceful provincial elections have gone almost completely unreported. Surely they could have reported it as the first miracle of Barack Obama's world-saving reign, but maybe that would have been stretching credibility a little too far. I suppose it might be too much to expect the Australian media to admit that George Bush, John Howard and Tony Blair may have actually succeeded -- after a long hard road -- in bringing democracy to Iraq.

Animal rights group PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, wants to rename fish "sea kittens" because it's cuter and people won't want to kill cute things. Right. In a world filled with stupid things, this is possibly the most stupid. What's funnier, is that "hunting sea kittens"—PETA's recommended terminology—actually sounds more fun and interesting that just 'fishing'. If you had to use guns to do it, it would be perfect.

The funny thing about this Remembrance Day is that while we're happy to remember soldiers who have died in past wars, Australia barely remembers the soldiers who are fighting in Afghanistan now. There's barely any mention of the war in the Australian media, unless someone dies. It's poor reporting, and terrible support for our soldiers who are sacrificing so much. Lest we forget. Again.

Is it just me, or does the Toyota Camry look like the Ood , from Doctor Who?

I wonder if other cities will follow Rosario, Argentina in erecting statues of mass murderers . Braunau am Inn , for example? Prek Sbauv perhaps?

I mean seriously, does Microsoft come up with any new ideas? So Apple has a touch interface for its iPhone and iPod Touch and so Microsoft has to have a touch interface for Windows . If it weren't so shameless it would be embarrassing.

Pauline Futeran argues in The Sydney Morning Herald ’s Heckler column that it’s hypocritical of Kevin Rudd to call Bill Henson’s work “revolting” pornography while allowing Australia’s Next Top Model manager to tell a 16-year-old contestant she had to “sex up” her image. Fair enough too. However, her conclusion that Kevin should therefore back the local artist is rubbish. Better to can the exhibition and the show and stop the children being exploited. And really, that’s the issue here. Children being exploited for ‘artistic’ or commercial benefit by adults. What’s the difference between that exploitation and child pornography? I wonder if Bill Henson’s ‘not-porn’ photos were of Thai children or African would he be viewed as a “critically acclaimed Australian artist”.