http://www.thepunch.com.au/author-bios/michael-bird/ Dr. Michael Bird is a Lecturer in Theology at Crossway College in Brisbane and Honorary Research Associate at the University of Queensland. He is a Fellow of the Centre for Public Christianity and the author of several books on early Christian history. He lives in Brisbane, Australia with his family. en Copyright 2012 The Punch penberthyd@newsltd.com.au penberthyd@newsltd.com.au Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Sat, 26 May 2012 20:00:49 +0000 Politics, opinion, world news, sports news, latest news, views, Barack Obama, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, Nathan Rees, Malcolm Turnbull, Peter Garrett, Barnaby Joyce, Australian, federal politics, opinion polls, election, The Punch, thepunch, punch ExpressionEngine 1.6.7 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 15 http://www.thepunch.com.au/images/punch-logo-rss.png http://www.thepunch.com.au/ 144 70 Politics, political opinion, world news, sports news and the latest news and views updated live, daily on The Punch - Australia's best conversation. Search The Punch keywords http://www.thepunch.com.au/search/ http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/where-have-all-the-good-tv-catholics-gone/ The other day I was watching ABC’s The Drum where Peter Singer was talking about the importance of giving to charitable causes to help alleviate global poverty. Good stuff from Singer, but out of nowhere comes a reference to Catholic Archbishop of Sydney Cardinal George Pell from one of the panelists. Apparently Pell, at some point, had said that there is no genuine altruism, people only do good because it makes them feel good (well duh, I’ve heard that before). Anyway, next thing I know the inference is being made that Pell would rather have us walk around flagellating ourselves than giving to charitable causes. There I am, watching the show, and I’m just baffled as to how went from generous giving to medieval self-mutilation at the behest of George Pell. Then it finally dawns on me, “Of course, this is the The Drum, the final credits can’t roll without at least one Catholic being bashed.” I should have known better. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Michael Bird) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/where-have-all-the-good-tv-catholics-gone/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/where-have-all-the-good-tv-catholics-gone/#item8491 Mon, 14 May 2012 19:40:41 +0000 Michael Bird | Author bios | The Punch http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-gambling-beast-is-greedy-and-shows-no-mercy/ Gambling is a serious social problem with horrendous consequences for the vulnerable. I grew up in suburban Brisbane and my most vivid childhood memory of my step father is when he violently ransacked my brother’s school bag for $1.50 and said, “F—k Dean, he can go without.” He took the boy’s lunch money, slammed the door, and went down to the TAB to place a bet on another horse destined to lose. I’ve never looked at the man the same way since. Such is the addictive power of gambling that a father would rather see his own son go hungry so he can satisfy his hunger to gamble. Gambling addiction is a disease. It consumes, controls, and destroys. It’s a monster. I know because I’ve seen it. In the long-running sitcom, The Simpsons, Homer Simpson even gave a name to the addictive power of gambling when Marge got hooked on the pokies at George Burns’ casino. He called it “Gamblor”. feedback@thepunch.com.au (Michael Bird) Article http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-gambling-beast-is-greedy-and-shows-no-mercy/#comments http://www.thepunch.com.au/articles/the-gambling-beast-is-greedy-and-shows-no-mercy/#item6949 Wed, 19 Oct 2011 19:35:29 +0000 Michael Bird | Author bios | The Punch