December 2009
A second miracle has been confirmed for Mary MacKillop, and she is now on her way to becoming Australia’s first saint in 2010.
But who was she?
Mary MacKillop’s was a life of struggle and passion that was underpinned by integrity.
It’s Thursday @ The Punch
Today in 1991 Vladmir Putin takes over presidency of Russia following Boris Yeltsin’s resignation.
Latest 2 of 4 comments
-
T.Chong says:
Steph; not so sure about the circular breathing, but he does seem to be succesfully promoted as everyrmans Everyman. Even with the USSR gone, Putin has been able to put across the idea that Russia has mostly moved on from the “cold war” while the US is still actively still… Read more »
-
stephen says:
He’s the first important Russian I know of who has varied skills : A good bureaucrat and diplomat, a reasonable spy (well, I think so), can ride a horse, fish, shoot a gun (well, I assume so ), and has a black belt in judo. And when he talks, he… Read more »
MELBOURNE’S Boxing Day Test has a profound effect on Aussie cricketers’ form. Some batsmen thrive on the festive atmosphere and give opposing bowlers a serve on the MCG wicket.
Other batsmen – and bowlers – crumble under pressure. Some Aussies had glorious batting innings and magic spells with the ball.
It was a memorable Test, particularly as the Melbourne crowd celebrated their Test hero – Shane Watson, who redeemed himself at the crease in Australia’s 170-run win.
Continue reading "Pakistan may have lost the heart for the Sydney Test" »
Latest 2 of 12 comments
-
Mark says:
So Pakistan washed up. Just been smashed all over the park by an opening partnership of Butt and Fart…. See any Irony there?? Read more »
-
Super D says:
“I’m tipping that the January 3 Sydney Test will be a yawn fest, as Pakistan are down on experience and talent.” Having watched the first day of the test yesterday it’s hard to see how you could have been more wrong. When Richie finally hangs up the beige jackets I… Read more »
England is reportedly seriously considering pulling out of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi in India in October because of fears its team will be targeted by Pakistani militants.
If it does pull the pin, it will be the first time England has not competed in the Games’ 80-year history - it’s potentially a very significant move. Presumably if the Brits pull out they won’t be the only ones - the whole Games could be in jeopardy.
Sport and geo-politics have always been inextricably linked, and sometimes this has resulted in great peril for the athletes. Images of the 1972 Munich Olympics, when Israeli athletes were taken hostage and then murdered by extremists with links to Fatah, are seared into our memories.
Continue reading "If we stop playing sport have the terrorists won?" »
Latest 2 of 46 comments
-
Dan says:
Thanks Wombat, I really appreciate it. I probably should ignore these people. Its just with Eric, he’s so much like an aggrevating child. The less said about Steeve and his bizarre anti-Chinese nonsence the better. Nonetheless, you are absolutely right, Wombat, that I probably shouldn’t bother. Thanks for your support! Read more »
-
Dan says:
Eric- “I don’t think I can lecture you, Dan, for you are clearly incapable of learning.” Not at all. You’re simply not someone who is capable of teaching me anything. “However, the rest of society is not blinkered as you are, and the continuing manifestation of Islamic terrorism and its… Read more »
* Warning - this post contains offensive language (actually, it depends a bit on your definition of “offensive”).
F***, f***, f***, f***, f*** and f*** it again. I have just agreed to write a 500 word article over the weekend. What a f****** pain in the arse. I should have said I was too f***** busy and they should get some other stupid f*** to do it.
Gosh, I hope I haven’t offended anyone. Have I used any offensive language? So what is offensive language anyway? You could go to any pub in Sydney and hear language much worse than I’ve used.
But you better not speak like that in front of a police man or woman. Especially if you are being difficult anyway and they are looking for some way to get you under their control.
Continue reading "Heading out tomorrow night - watch your mouth*" »
Latest 2 of 87 comments
-
Classic says:
New Age and Criminologist, neither you nor I (nor anyone for that matter) should open their mouths without complete, undisputed “facts” at their disposal - the coward’s refuge when their opinion is indefensible. Noone should read a newspaper or any other literature to form an opinion without having every possible… Read more »
-
new age says:
You seem to protest far too much, Classic. It’s not attacking you personally to point out that a public attitude of f—- the f———cops is not in the best interests of society generally, and in fact is more likely to produce the alleged effects that you are going on and… Read more »
In January 2005 the public was still reeling from the devastation of the 2004 Boxing Day tsunami when the beginning of the end for Mark Latham took place.
The then-Opposition Leader refused to break his summer holiday to put out a statement about the horrific event - he wouldn’t even return the calls of the then acting leader Senator Chris Evans (deputy Labor leader Jenny Macklin was also on leave). It turned out Latham was sick, of the pancreas and of politics, and he disappeared off into the Western Sydney sunset.
At the time it seemed inexplicable that someone wouldn’t halt their vacation for an hour or two to deal with a crisis of such enormity. But perhaps Mark Latham was a work life balance visionary.
Latest 2 of 15 comments
-
Bill says:
Biff, It’s not the dress that makes her bum look big. Read more »
-
AT says:
T.Chong, I think you do a disservice to optical industry professionals worldwide who have toiled, unheralded and anonymously for decades perfecting image quality, with your casually heartless remarks of ‘lens distortion’. However, you’re right to note a ‘flattening’ effect. This is an inherent property of all telephoto or long lenses.… Read more »
There were only a few minutes left of the 1970s. Patrick and I were sharing a peaceful New Years Eve joint in a friend’s back yard at quiet Hervey Bay.
We were 21, two of the (then) little town’s bright and shiny minds, the world at our feet, the stars in our sights. Where would we be, we wondered, come the 21st century? What would we be like? Would we follow the generational pattern of wild youth becomes tame middle-aged man becomes conservative old man?
So we made a pact that night, Patrick and I. In fear of turning into our parents, we vowed that each of us, no matter where we were, would be stoned as the 21st century rolled in. But Patrick hesitated. He turned to me under the unnaturally bright stars and said, very seriously: “Does it have to be just grass?”
Continue reading "It looks like Patrick, it must the clouds in my eyes" »
Latest 2 of 2 comments
It’s Wednesday @ The Punch
The Ginza Line, Asia’s first subway opened in Tokyo on this day in 1927.
Latest 2 of 9 comments
-
aspetteSumwam says:
I would like too take some time out Thank everyone for doing what you do and making the community what it is im a long time reader and first time poster so i just wanted to say thanks. Read more »
-
pc says:
Hi Lucy, Hi Shipmates The ginza line was one of my favourite subway lines in Tokyo. My absolute favourite was the JR Yamanote line that circled the city. Tonight the trains will run all night and most likely the Yamanote line will host a new years party. Its a party… Read more »
Last night The Punch took a flight from Canberra to Melbourne and settled in for a viewing of Qantas’ in-flight news bulletin provided by Channel Nine.
Slowly recovering my obligatory takeoff fear of dying next to some guy in a Ralph Lauren t-shirt and blond tips in his hair, it occurred to me that the entire bulletin had not mentioned the biggest news story of the last few days: the failed terrorist attack aboard the Northwest Airlines flight to Detroit.
Absolutely nothing was reported in an almost half hour long broadcast about a failed terrorist attack aboard a passenger plane which a little group called Al-Qaeda have now claimed responsibility for. A story that still commanded high priority during their national news broadcasts that evening.
This wasn’t some shocking editorial oversight by a confused news editor, rather it’s very intentional Qantas policy not to inform it’s passengers of airline disaster related news stories.
Continue reading "Do we need to know about terrorism while in the air?" »
Latest 2 of 32 comments
-
Dan says:
No, Eric, the evidence is not indisputable. They had political goals in mind, sure, but not religious. 9./11 for example had nothing to do with religion and everything to do with foreign policy. However, thanks for that. Your comment that I have my head in the sand, coming from you,… Read more »
-
Eric says:
Head-in-the-sand Dan, all those terrorist operations were carried out by Islamic supremacists with religious and political goals in mind. You can squawk as much as you like, but the evidence is indisputable. Read more »
Barack Obama craves a historic presidency. Witness his pledge to single-handedly rescue the US health system in which millions lack insurance coverage. “I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last,” he announced in September.
Now, following a crucial Christmas Eve vote in the US Senate, the Democratic-controlled Congress is about to approve a major healthcare package.
Hurdles remain: the two houses must still confer to iron out differences. Public financing of abortion remains a flashpoint. But the near-certain outcome, sometime in January, is a bill on the president’s desk.
Continue reading "Is Obama digging his own grave on healthcare?" »
Latest 2 of 5 comments
-
stephen says:
I think the President fought hard to get even this far. (His original bill was scuttled by Joe Leibermann, an independent from Connecticut, and watch out for his Presidential ambitions next election). Universal Health-Care vitiates personal responsibility, and Americans welcome risk and profit ( and good health). Read more »
-
T.Chong says:
The US obscenity of health care. Tea Baggers and fellow lunatic connedservatives actually resent the idea that poorer people deserve equal health care. The mighty army of easily manipulated gun toting, bible waving ignorant mostly white trailer trash doing the bidding of big insurance companies. These “citizens"care nothing for others,… Read more »
Facebook Recommendations
Read all about it
Punch live
Up to the minute Twitter chatter
Recent posts
The latest and greatest
The Punch is moving house
Good morning Punchers. After four years of excellent fun and great conversation, this is the final post…
Will Pope Francis have the vision to tackle this?
I have had some close calls, one that involved what looked to me like an AK47 pointed my way, followed…
Advocating risk management is not “victim blaming”
In a world in which there are still people who subscribe to the vile notion that certain victims of sexual…
Gentle jabs to the ribs
Superman needs saving
Can somebody please save Superman? He seems to be going through a bit of a crisis. Eighteen months ago,… Read more
Latest 2 of 30 comments