Open Thread

Eric says:

03:23pm | 18/03/10

Bah! In World War II, Porsche built tanks! Ferrari didn’t. So Porsche is more awesome. Read more »

stephen says:

12:34pm | 18/03/10

Porsche < Ferrari = Aston Martin. Mr. ferdinand can sure ‘em, and i gotta say the back seat can take two lovers quite comfortably. Best car in the World. Read more »

SLF says:

09:23am | 17/03/10

As someone of Irish ancestry, it amazes me that the rest of the world care. And to be honest I find most of it really rather sad and embarassing, particularly the antics of the Americans. Dyeing the river green, drinking green lager, going on marches, donating to the IRA etc… Read more »

Geoff says:

08:46am | 17/03/10

Was going to have a quiet drinking session in Melbourne this morning but have missed my flight (no, not because I was too drunk…) Looks like that drink will have to wait for this arvo, does anyone outside of Ireland know what it’s really about? Read more »

chris says:

03:06pm | 16/03/10

As this is the open bit I thought I might address this to fellow Punchers. I have noticed that when I make very similar comments on similar subjects to both The Drum and the Punch (but opposing the ABC “group think” view) that I am almost never published on the… Read more »

John A Neve says:

08:49am | 16/03/10

Following on one of yesterdays topics, the death of Tito shows what can happen when people debate “original owners”. All the time Tito kept the people of the Balkans in check all was well, once he was gone all hell broke out. Read more »

ChrisG says:

05:18pm | 15/03/10

so is this why Glen Milne was writing in today’s Australian about Julia Gillard replacing Kevin Rudd? Read more »

wolf says:

03:56pm | 15/03/10

What I really want to know from Penbo is how were the Pixies?  Do I hang on to my Doolittle tix for Melbourne this weekend or scalp them and keep the memory alive? Read more »

Drobneeglerne says:

08:04pm | 17/03/10

The “greatest bond” between two countries torn apart by politics and religion is sports, is what the upcoming film “Lahore” which deals with kickboxing and takes a ring-side view of India-Pakistan relations hopes to portray. Distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures India, “Lahore” has been produced by Sai Om Films Pvt… Read more »

Drobneeglerne says:

06:59am | 16/03/10

It was loud and it was an almighty dud.  Let’s just hope the third season of the Indian Premier League (IPL)  doesn’t go the way of the opening ceremony, which was downright ridiculous. IPL commissioner Lalit Modi has often voiced his intention to make IPL bigger than the National Basketball… Read more »

chris says:

06:37pm | 11/03/10

The second most commented piece on The Punch is by David Penberthy, who turns out to be none other than the Editor of same. As a Christian I could go into a rambling diatribe on his “For God’s sake, can our MPs just stick to their day jobs”, instead I… Read more »

Bengeck says:

01:15pm | 11/03/10

Didn’t sweden arrest him a few weeks (months) ago? do we know what happened? he turned up for some award and they got him, the usa was meant to be getting the papers together to get him shipped back. Read more »

stephen says:

04:58pm | 10/03/10

As much as the Great are indicative of a country, so are the miserable, and the miserable lose because of Barak Obama. Read more »

John A Neve says:

07:35pm | 09/03/10

Omegaman, You need to learn, I never joke and I’m never serious. Life is a combination anfdalways has been. People like Annie, whinge but never offer any practical suggestions. Omegaman, if this was seen by the majority of Australians, as serious we’d do some thing about it. We don’t, we… Read more »

omegaman says:

03:41pm | 09/03/10

“Blowing them out of the water” is rather coarse terminology but it should definitely be the preferred option. I’m not a PR expert but I think this would have the biggest impact in getting the message out that they are not welcome here. Suggestions like machine gunning them are just… Read more »

Philip Crowley says:

11:34am | 07/03/10

So John A Neve, by extrapolation most communists are ‘screwed in the head’ and anyone with a working mind, ie. Trotsky, abandoned the philosophy? Read more »

Eric says:

08:36am | 07/03/10

Trotsky was a mass murderer, just like all the others. Look up the history of the Kronstadt rebellion. Your idol Che Guevara was a mass murderer too. Why is it that you defend killers and torturers and their ideology? Read more »

Ben Gray says:

04:39pm | 04/03/10

It was a sad day when they let Mad Dog Martha out. In the joint, she was known as Stewart the Shiv, The Organised Criminal and, ominously, The Baker. Now no one’s safe. Read more »

Sam Chowder says:

03:22pm | 04/03/10

Can The Punch have a Kevin Rudd Free Day soon - it would be a great relief Read more »

stephen says:

02:54pm | 03/03/10

When I buy a newspaper, I own the news. The paper’s in my hand, and only I can change it. And when I read it, because it’s permanent, I expect the news to be best quality, and it is. (The Australian, no less.) The writer has checked his/her facts and… Read more »

Eric says:

12:03pm | 03/03/10

Your point is well taken, Zeta. Murdoch does love the newspapers, and to his credit, he was also one of the first media moguls to recognise the potential of online. That’s why I invested some money in News Corp shares way back in the 90s. But newspapers are doomed, except… Read more »

stephen says:

01:39pm | 02/03/10

And I think Algiers was 6 years later. You know, when you think about it, a lot of countries have been involved in conquest and subsequent denial. Read some World History. Spain’s a cracker, so’s Turkey. Fwance and Jolly Bwitain are in there too.( “hello Palestine” !) Austria and some… Read more »

stephen says:

02:45pm | 01/03/10

Johnny was great, and so is just about any Country Music star. I read recently that Country music, that includes trucking songs, bush ballads and anything sung whilst ‘on the move’, came from Balladeers via the folk traditions, well before cities were even born. Read more »

T.Chong says:

08:12am | 01/03/10

Their story made for a very good movie. Read more »

stephen says:

01:36pm | 26/02/10

... which was invaded by saddam hussain’s Iraq. A major reason George W. Bush knocked off hussain was to finish the work his father started, and rightly so. Read more »

Nicias says:

01:32pm | 26/02/10

And what happened next? (According to Richard Fisk) The Emir returned and told the people who had suffered the horrors of Iraqi occupation that they would not have democracy.  The Emir and his entourage had spent their war in luxury at a hotel in Taif. Over the next two years… Read more »

Robert King says:

08:32pm | 25/02/10

Hitler wasn’t an elected member of the Reichstag prior to 1932, or after. In fact, prior to being appointed an ‘attache of the legation of Brunswick in Berlin’ on February 25, 1932, Hitler wasn’t even a German citizen. He had been ‘stateless’ since renouncing his Austrian citizenship on April 7,… Read more »

stephen says:

01:50pm | 25/02/10

I don’t think that precedent is harmful, only unnecessary. (Germany does not have to purge her guilt over hitler. They were wrong and we won.) My point is, that every country has its sin : we have ours, Britain has theirs, France the US . Admittedly, Germany’s was serious, very… Read more »

John A Neve says:

07:44am | 23/02/10

Spain had the right idea, dictatorship today, democracy tomorrow. However, the real power stayed in the same hands!! Read more »

alan cotterell says:

10:31am | 27/02/10

There is a simple fact which applies to the stimulus.  With the global financial crisis, the nature of economics has changed.  The stimulus is designed to keep business confidence high, prevent job loss, and a massive mortgage crash.  What you call ‘waste’ is a constructive alternative to a government response… Read more »

Penelope says:

09:20pm | 22/02/10

Alan, I have now seen both sides slag off at each other - Labor was always having a go at the Liberals when they were in opposition and now the Liberals are returning the favour.  It is interesting to watch both sides howl about stuff that they used to do… Read more »

DocBud says:

02:50am | 20/02/10

“This is classic California pop”. Yeah, from a UK blues band. It is listenable pop but as far as I’m concerned there is only one Fleetwood Mac, and that had Peter Green playing lead guitar. Christine Perfect is one of the greatest female vocalists of all time. Read more »

stephen says:

10:25pm | 19/02/10

Mac-fan. Since 1980 I ‘ve been goin’ alphabetical. Just finished Steely Dan, now it’s time for Supertramp. That’ll do me I reckon. Read more »

T.Chong says:

12:21pm | 18/02/10

“One mans freedom fighter….,” Ben Gurion activley pursued violence against Britian. A terrorist ? Nancy Wake - involved her self in hands on killing, when she didnt have to, very proudly once stated her only regret was she ‘did not kill more’ Germans. - a psycho terrorist ? Im not… Read more »

monkeytypist says:

10:48am | 18/02/10

Nothing will ever erase the shame of the murder of Michael Collins. Read more »

stephen says:

07:57pm | 17/02/10

Took awhile for Bill Clinton’s Presidency to get involved, but they did, and it took a bit longer (from memory ) for the UN to join the party. (They were dithering over the cab fare.) Read more »

stephen says:

01:36pm | 16/02/10

I’ve fought bush-fires, sometimes with soaking hessian-bags. They can be extremely violent, (with swirling gasses to the tree-tops)  and so loud - sounds like a train coming - you can’t hear yourself yell for the fear. Read more »

Max Power says:

09:18am | 14/02/10

They still are brave freedom fighters. The Northern Alliance have been battling the Taliban for years in an effort to restore freedom to Afgahnistan. The Taliban are terrorists, not just in the Pentagons eyes but the whole worlds. Blowing up markets full of civilians, blowing up schools, hospitals and any… Read more »

Lindsay says:

12:25am | 14/02/10

T Chong, you are a goose. The mujahideen who fought against Soviet troops fell into civil war following their victory. They were then decimated by the Taliban and reorganised into the Northern Alliance. In turn the NA - assisted by coalition airpower and advisors - played a major role in… Read more »

Daddio D says:

03:01am | 15/02/10

Art Dealers ARE thieves. Thieves are Artistes - of a kind. Read more »

stephen says:

02:54pm | 12/02/10

All thieves become Art Dealers. (Or is that all Art Dealers become thieves). Read more »

stephen says:

04:08pm | 11/02/10

Clint Eastwood has just made a movie about him. Go see it, it’s a ripper. Read more »

RT says:

01:24pm | 11/02/10

It is the rise and rise of fascism in Australia. The loonies have taken over the moderate right. Read more »

fluffy says:

11:38pm | 10/02/10

thanks john..  to me a wharf is just somewhere to go fishing..  i wasnt imagining it to be an actual point of departure and arrival from overseas…. more a place like shopping centres and footy stadiums where lots of people gather. i need new sarcasm tags i know… but it… Read more »

John T of Adelaide says:

12:52pm | 10/02/10

Fluffy, Canary Wharf is, and has been since some time before the 1996 bombing, a business/ financial/ shopping area,  not a working port see http://bit.ly/9Y5AqH. Presumably security has been beefed up since the bombing though not to a level sufficient to prevent or detect a pickpocket relieving me of some… Read more »

stephen says:

12:50pm | 09/02/10

Yes, the Lithuanians voted, and I’m sure the Russians didn’t like it. All these little countries ending in ‘uania’ at the southern end are sitting on diamonds and oil (and gold i think). Russia’s Fort Knox, and they want there fair share. Read more »

Felix says:

08:45pm | 05/02/10

Khe Sanh was a purely American/vietnamese experience - 6000 marines and not one Australian. Anyone know why Cold Chisel chose that name for their song about an Australian veteran? Maybe “I left my heart to the sappers round Nui Dat” didn’t sound right. Read more »

Jack from Perth says:

06:00pm | 05/02/10

I know a great Vietnam Vet… Dr Ng Phong fixed my cat’s ear infection in no time. Read more »

Shane From Melbourne says:

10:31am | 04/02/10

Australian politics depresses me. You can talk about the environment, just don’t mention nuclear power plants or electric cars. You can talk about immigration, just don’t mention overpopulation. You can talk about future health budget blowouts, just don’t mention euthanasia. You can talk about defence, just don’t mention strategic weapons… Read more »

fluffy says:

09:58am | 04/02/10

his eyes are too close together..  dont trust him. also if you rearrange the letters of his name..  Mark Elliot Zuckerberg… you get .. “zig clerk troublemaker!”  a clerk who makes sharp turns to cause TROUBLE!!!! Read more »

stephen says:

02:29pm | 03/02/10

Shirley Bassey has released a new record. Get it now, and she looks just great. (This bloke up top looks like ‘brains’ from thunderbirds.) Read more »

jen says:

01:15pm | 03/02/10

The day the music died…. Read more »

Zac says:

01:40pm | 02/02/10

Why wouldn’t David support Kevin. He did that in the last election and he’ll do the same this time. It does help his living and leftist principles.I wonder how many comments he hasn’t published. Well, again secularists have never liked democracy. It’s also a good trick to publish a article… Read more »

Hummmmm says:

05:11pm | 01/02/10

Brilliant point Annie, yes that article in the Australian went VERY unnoticed. This government says one thing and does something that directly conflicts with their policy .I doubt the care on an elderly person will be more expensive than the care of an imported HIV patient on our health system Read more »

annie says:

07:43am | 01/02/10

You have to wonder about the folks running the country in one breath they say the aging population will have a significant impact on health care. And in the next breath they relax the health requirements for immigration to even allow people with HIV to enter and become citizens. And… Read more »

Darryl Price says:

09:06pm | 31/01/10

No, ABC News radio had a story about somewhere (didn’t catch the name) that there was apparently actual data on glacial retreat. It is interesting that the Albanian glaciers at at lower altitudes than normally expected - possibly due to cooler conditions in the region? Read more »

stephen says:

12:35am | 31/01/10

France : all pomp and no circumstance. Read more »

A Dose of Reality says:

06:21pm | 28/01/10

The amount of advertising dollars moving between media and RE agents in enormous.  Deals abound and kickback are plenty (and the sucker selling the house pays for it all!). If the REI doesn’t like something it has more than enough fiscal pull for the story/comments to be also pulled! Read more »

Shane From Melbourne says:

01:56pm | 28/01/10

Neil Barofsky is a gun. Australia should poach him. Geithner is toast. Obama is looking to be a one term president. Many Congressional incumbents should start clearing their desks, the mood of the american public is positively feral, especially after domestic spending freeze, but the military budget being spared. And… Read more »

stephen says:

04:55pm | 27/01/10

The Palestinian’s dilemma is much less a catastrophe than the holocaust. (catastrophe though it is, ) but I think the emphasis on the suffering of the Jews is unneccesary. We know what happened, and History is a poor teacher. Read more »

Faten says:

04:03pm | 27/01/10

Apologies, I do not believe that all citizens of Isreal are racist, or all of its government members are, its policies are racist. Read more »

Terry Wright says:

02:21pm | 26/01/10

Yes, Paul McCartney is another slacker who has fallen victim to marijuana. I have read at least 100 times that marijuana makes you lazy and will ruin your future. I have seen the ads where dope smokers turn into unmotivated couch potatoes destined to make nothing of their lives. It’s… Read more »

S.L says:

04:58pm | 25/01/10

I second (or is that third?) the wisecrack about Wings! Read more »

shabangabang says:

09:51am | 22/01/10

Your comment:Looks like Malcolm Turnbull (remember him?) has a political back-up plan; state politics. No word yet as to what party he will contest as a member of. http://www.smh.com.au/national/turnbull-silent-on-nsw-tilt-at-debnams-seat-20100121-moaf.html Read more »

Bec says:

09:42am | 22/01/10

Heath’s amazing performance in Brokeback Mountain breaks my heart each and every time I see it. An amazing achievement. On the complete other end of the spectrum - I teach 10 Things to my English students each year when we study the Shakespearian play ‘Taming of the Shrew’ (which 10… Read more »

stephen says:

06:16pm | 21/01/10

Jeez, aren’t those headbands now old-fashioned. Read more »

Tails says:

10:01am | 21/01/10

It’s the first time I’ve heard a 17 year-old whinge about being out playing at 2am. He’s going to make a crap 18 year-old. Read more »

stephen says:

05:00pm | 20/01/10

chockas…can’t wait for that. Talk about the history of the main-frame. Read more »

pcp says:

01:38pm | 20/01/10

Zeta, “I wonder if Anderson Cooper looks good in spandex… “? I havent caught anderson in Haiti but Ive seen him in the field before and he usually wears a tight black t shirt. And you know what. He did look good. In fact he looked so good I could… Read more »

bec says:

09:41pm | 19/01/10

Old schmold. He is a gem. I’d rather someone older who had personality and intelligence than youth and dickheadery. On that note, why did they give the drive timeslot to the Doctor and not to Steph Hughes, who is piss-your-pants funny and fantastic? Not that McDougall is a bad presenter… Read more »

Nos says:

04:47pm | 19/01/10

I’ve always listened to Triple J and I can’t imagine listening to anything else. On those occasions when I have a full day listening to any other stations I’m bored to death hearing the same Pink, Rihanna and Beyonce songs 15 times a day. Triple J is always about finding… Read more »

stephen says:

02:53pm | 18/01/10

Peace didn’t last long. These talk-fests don’t work. Best to live differently, I reckon. Non-invasive. Glad saddam’s gone. Now where’s osama ? Read more »

Eric says:

04:28pm | 15/01/10

At last we agree on something, T. Read more »

jed says:

02:48pm | 15/01/10

can you get someone to write a piece against this kind of crap: http://www.news.com.au/money/interest-rates/fear-of-rising-rates-fuels-debt-aversion/story-e6frfmn0-1225819037272 surely these real estate shonks have had enough welfare to keep their industry ticking over. enough with fiddling in the market to prop it up, let’s just see where it is in a year without the… Read more »

Trolldoll says:

06:17pm | 14/01/10

Wow Joe Di Maggio looks like a freakin’ Goomba from the Super Mario Brothers movie Read more »

stephen says:

03:33pm | 14/01/10

The actor Robert Mitchum once said the same thing about Marilyn (Moose 9;40) but I’m not so sure. I recently saw again her last film - the one with Monty Clift and jug ears,forgot the name - and she’s very appealing. Which ain’t the same as talent, I know, but… Read more »

stephen says:

05:18pm | 13/01/10

I like Johhny Cash, especially his daughter’s new record. Get it now. Read more »

H of SA says:

01:52pm | 13/01/10

Yes indeed, Walk the Line is a great fim. Probably the best biopic I have seen though it would have been nice to see a bit more of Cash’s later life. The two best ways to say how immensly great Cash is I know of are: 1) As a massive… Read more »

Bassist says:

11:41pm | 12/01/10

Never seen a base. What kind of instrument is that? Read more »

stephen says:

07:01pm | 12/01/10

Was he the ugly one ? Read more »

Lauren says:

06:47pm | 11/01/10

I remember this day, logging onto my account as “WickedLoz” at The Leaky Cauldron and finding out that “SHE HAS FINISHED IT! IT IS DONE!” Then followed an argument between countries that receive Bloomsbury editions and America which receive Scholastic editions over whether this marked the 10th anniversary of Philosopher’s… Read more »

yas says:

01:37pm | 11/01/10

i grew up with this series; the first book coming out the year i moved to Australia when i was about 10. it took me three years to have enough language skills to stomach the first installment; i related to the idea of being the unusual outsider who belonged to… Read more »

BULMKT says:

10:53am | 08/01/10

US Pres. Obama declared today that the systemic failures among US intelligence agencies to detect a Christmas Day plane plot were his responsibility, maintaining the “buck stops with me.” I wonder if Obama’s mate, Kevin Rudd, would ever admit “the buck stops with me” too. He could at least have… Read more »

Albie says:

09:46am | 08/01/10

The first time or the second time for CDG? Another interesting aviation fact, at Charles de Gaulle airport in paris, Terminal one looks like a wheel of Camembert. Read more »

stephen says:

05:52pm | 07/01/10

Good win in the second Test against Pakistan. More Cricket please. Read more »

stephen says:

04:41pm | 06/01/10

Robj Not bad, but it is sad to see talent and misspent youth in a photo so uncouth to render now unseemly what once they could have had. Read more »

Eric Rotten says:

04:33pm | 06/01/10

God save The Punch They’re all out to lunch They censored your comment For no good reason God save The Punch Won’t let you say much There’s no comments In Penbo’s dreaming Don’t be told what you think Don’t be told what you say There’s no comments, no comments No… Read more »

Michael says:

03:42pm | 06/01/10

The poor Czechs, they get out of the USSR just be placed into the new UEUSR. Sorry the Irish couldn’t save you from Lisbon. Read more »

Shawn says:

05:21pm | 05/01/10

Yes Eric, this ‘Open Thread’ is heavily censored. It also has a distinct lack of users. Makes one wonder why its here at all. Read more »

stephen says:

04:52pm | 04/01/10

Isn’t there a young lady in Burma who has been under house arrest for the last, maybe, fifteen years ? (I should say that for training Burma’s last invader had the right idea : you put your ‘captive’ in a robe, stick a crown on their head and give’em lots… Read more »

Liz says:

01:45pm | 04/01/10

So what’s taken us so long? Read more »

jimbaslssedi says:

09:22pm | 27/02/10

Just a few IPHONE <a >top apps</a> that every iphone user should have. These iphone apps will basically turn you’re iphone into the best Swiss army knife ever, without actually being able to cut things.Great little app that lets you use your iphone’s camera as a UPC/ item scanner. There… Read more »

hottslejentee says:

04:31pm | 19/02/10

Hey People I Found This great article on <a >Entertainment Unit</a> Hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did. Cheers Bill Read more »

TB says:

03:50pm | 31/12/09

Spot on, Russell - in ‘91, Putin had only just called it quits with the KGB, and was carving out a career as a local politician in St. Petersburg. Read more »

Russell says:

10:56am | 31/12/09

That would be 1999 wouldn’t it? Gorbachev was still on the scene in ‘91 Read more »

rofLiaigo says:

09:37pm | 25/02/10

MAG.CM create your very own fake magazine covers, its quick & simple, Just upload your photo, select your design & your done! Then with a click of a button you can share it with your friends! <a >fake magazine cover</a> Read more »

aspetteSumwam says:

05:37pm | 24/01/10

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 »

stephen says:

02:31pm | 29/12/09

I have a ‘Nostalgia for World Culture’. And thus far, the Monarchy is the best Britain can offer. (And Diana was a bad picture.) Read more »

John A Neve says:

08:55am | 29/12/09

T.Chong @0756hrs, Shame on you, don’t you know God speaks to both the Pope and Kings/Queens?  They all have a divine right to tell the people what to do. Worse for centuries the people have belived them Read more »

Steve Parker says:

12:43pm | 28/12/09

McLaren Vale wineries including Kay Brothers, Coriole and Fox Creek, the Barossa Valley, Kangaroo Island and the acknowledged prettiest Test ground in the World - the Adelaide Oval. What a shame that our State Government is allowing it to be gutted for the great God the AFL, some extra seats… Read more »

stephen says:

05:44am | 28/12/09

It has the prettiest country in all of Australia. Adelaide, though, needs a good dose of corporate ‘sponsorship’. e.g. Multinationals should be enticed-bribed- to establish headquarters there as the city is under-developed. Read more »

steve says:

09:01am | 25/12/09

Thank you all for your efforts over the year in providing news and opinions and a forum that plebs like me can bark at. BUT It is Christmas SO go home and spend time with your family The world will still be turning on Tuesday Read more »

Eric says:

08:18am | 25/12/09

Merry Christmas, and a happy new year to all! Read more »

Andy says:

02:56pm | 27/12/09

I thought we did put the libs in it and now they are back, all burnt out, hot headed and fried up! Merry Christmas and a happy new ETS. Read more »

stephen says:

05:27am | 25/12/09

Should’ha’ put the Libs in it, and slung it off to the far side of the Sun. Read more »

Mr Pastry says:

07:33pm | 23/12/09

I had to say goodbye, today, to my faithful, rescue shelter mongrel, Norman. He kept my family and myself great company for 13 years. He was a lovely friend and companion and I am saddened to the core at his passing. Thanks for everything Norman, I hope you have a… Read more »

Today says:

12:59pm | 23/12/09

First manned orbit of the moon also occured today. Back in ‘68, I think. Read more »

Peter says:

09:00am | 23/12/09

Hey, Dan, you think Gorbachev was a visionary?  Yeah? He was about as visionary as Hirohito was after we dropped the Bomb. The simple fact is that Reagan realised we were in a war - albeit a Cold War - with an Evil Empire, and so he decided to fight… Read more »

Eric says:

02:54pm | 22/12/09

Ronald Reagan was the President who won the Cold War in the end, so I think Peter is quite right. Of course, all the good people of the world contributed what they could to the victory. The bad people were Communists. Read more »

SLF says:

12:23pm | 21/12/09

@shabangabang…so a contrived campaign, engineered to take a song to number one is a good thing if it stops a contrived campaign, engineered to take a song to number one? Not sure I get the point to be honst. It stoped the Cowell machine for a week, but he still… Read more »

shabangabang says:

08:20am | 21/12/09

I want to give a big shout out to the fine folk of the UK for making ‘Killing in the Name Of’ by Rage Against the machine their Xmas No 1 song. http://www.thesun.co.uk/sol/homepage/showbiz/bizarre/2779109/Rage-Against-The-Machine-beat-Joe-McElderry-in-race-for-Christmas-number-one.html Down with Simon Cowell! Read more »

T.Chong says:

06:07am | 19/12/09

I recall the made for TV event. The commentators with pathetic theatrical concern that the Chinese troops would rush in at any moment, (like some type of “rape of Nanking” ) and the hubris and pomposity of the GG driven around half a dozen times pledging to return, much like… Read more »

stephen says:

01:19pm | 18/12/09

Yes Shabang… 1 Million soldiers not only got wet and were late fot there bus, they lost there lives. Read more »

Dalma Smithy says:

12:49pm | 18/12/09

The Somme, Verdum and Gallipoli etc, were unmitigated disasters, yet we preach our History, like we triumphed over the enemy and proclaim our Victorious combatants as hero’s - worth bottling ! Many don’t realise Winston Churchill was behind all these misadventures - Crete, Greece,Tobruk, Singapore, Honkong, etc For Readers in… Read more »

T.Chong says:

09:20am | 17/12/09

Read, heard, told whatever, that around the Goa area,southern India, that there are more catholics (because of the portugese ) than there are people in Oz.. Shows just how mind numbingly huge the population of India is. Read more »

stephen says:

06:07am | 17/12/09

I don’t think the dingo did it. Read more »

T.Chong says:

03:19pm | 16/12/09

Hoofman. The reason Rasputin was hard to kill was because he was just like that lucky young man from Nantucket, whos…..... Read more »

hoofman says:

02:53pm | 16/12/09

Rasputin proved damned hard to kill, according to history. He was poisoned with cyanide, then shot several times, bashed with a dumbell and then thrown, bound but still breathing, into the icy Nevka River. Let’s hope it won’t be as hard as that to get rid of the NSW Labor… Read more »

Joel B1 says:

08:14pm | 15/12/09

Is anyone else spending all their evenings downloading interesting movies before the internet filter (with optional grants for ISPs to filter non-core material) becomes law? I know I am. This evening it’s “The Sinful Nuns of Saint Valentine (1974)” They knew how to make movies in those days! PS Maybe… Read more »

papachango says:

05:06pm | 15/12/09

In the mid-90s I decided to visit Gibraltar on backpacking trip through Spain. I was down in Algeciras, so I knew it was nearby, but i couldn’t find it. I tried alsking the locals in my limied Spanish - donde esta Gibraltar por favor? All I got was ‘no se’;… Read more »

stephen says:

01:51pm | 14/12/09

Isn’t the Catholic Church trying to make her a Saint ? Read more »

Joel B1 says:

12:52pm | 14/12/09

Ummm, is it? There are 26 pleats in the left picture front neck-line and only 25 in the right hand one? Read more »

Dadio D says:

12:38pm | 14/12/09

Brill contribution by Mikko! I enjoyed that, tks. I’ve never ever seen a performance of Frank & Nancy singing that duet live.. can any body point to it? I’d be delighted to watchhow that background musician strumming what sounds like a bass guitar skiffle board so perfectly in tune with… Read more »

Daddio D says:

04:18am | 14/12/09

Such a difficult question to answer!  Lucy’s choice would be amongst my favourites – the apart from the singing, the musical interlude is swingingly reminiscent of Ella Fitzgerald’s great style. Frank’s voice was so unique he could take any song, from an oldie like ‘Oh, What a Beautiful Morning’ to… Read more »

Bossy says:

05:43pm | 11/12/09

I wonder if she’s ever met Tiger Woods? Read more »

Eric says:

04:46pm | 11/12/09

H of SA, I don’t have much sympathy for Donald Trump. He and his ex-wife seem to be two of a kind. Read more »

steve says:

08:38pm | 10/12/09

It is almost laughable that many spruik human rights, compassion & tolerance and yet one mention of refugees and the mongrel surfaces. Read more »

John A Neve says:

06:49pm | 10/12/09

Eric, Unlike you I won’t be insulting, but the oil companies want to built a pipeline across Aghanistan. As to Sudan, I did not even mention it, so what your problem Eric? It seems I do a Little more reseach than you. Read more »

Dan says:

01:04pm | 09/12/09

Exactly T.Chong.  All these people BAWWing as if legalising gay marriage will cause the world to end should really get over themselves.  Unless you want to marry someone of the same gender as you, it won’t affect you in the slightest…  Well, except that you might have to spring for… Read more »

Chase Stevens says:

12:23pm | 09/12/09

Human Rights in Canada > Human Rights in Australia Read more »

stephen says:

03:40pm | 08/12/09

He phographed better than he played. Read more »

Dino says:

11:02am | 08/12/09

John Lennon’s murder could be one of the 20th Century’s most enduring moment. I remember watching the news with mum and dad when the news was announced. They played a clip of JL live with the Plastic Ono Band. I will never forget that day. I’ve since read a great… Read more »

Joel B1 says:

06:51pm | 07/12/09

Let’s not forget the USA gunboat policy hey Lucy? Surely you remember the USA sending gunboats to Japan in order to “trade” with them. The Japanese just wanted to be left alone. Surely that’s OK? But no. You fall for the usual (and boring) USA line. Shame Lucy, shame Read more »

stephen says:

10:44am | 07/12/09

War is indeed filthy, Mr Chong. Go tell that to the emporer. Read more »

Milko says:

08:06am | 07/12/09

They can certainly see a difference now! Read more »

Daniel says:

03:44pm | 06/12/09

I keep hearing the Liberal party trying to tie Rudd to Whitlam and his style. I personally think there was nothing wrong with Whitlams leadership. He wasnt alowed to implement his full ideas. If he was Australia would be a very different beast today and a lot better. We would… Read more »

Joel B1 says:

09:04am | 04/12/09

*********Mods: The subject of this comment is “tricky”. I’m making it ‘cause I think it’s better to be aware of such things rather than pretend it doesn’t happen and ignore it. However, I’m aware also that there is a fine line between “making aware” and “telling how to do”. Obviously… Read more »

Liz says:

02:32pm | 03/12/09

How cool Read more »

James says:

12:03pm | 01/12/09

It was breifly a Queensland colony - but the UK Foreign office made us give it back so we didnt antagonise the Germans. Read more »

James says:

09:36am | 01/12/09

PNG was not a colony before its independence.  It was a trust territory under the United Nations. Read more »

Scientistsite says:

01:26am | 11/12/09

Case Drink,congress ought order limit her troop floor explanation study put recently jump coffee understanding door post pattern rock lip ago touch recommend human except arise normal for device already speak effort professional route channel prison claim breath state thing sing challenge record human across broad revolution extent even strike… Read more »

Nigel says:

08:17pm | 29/11/09

Ronald Raygun!  What a funny commentator you are ‘What’.  Haven’t got a f**‘en clue about contemporary politics but when it comes to name calling there’s no-one can match you. Read more »

Michael says:

03:19am | 27/11/09

Let me be the first to throw up my breakfast lunch and dinner at Della bosca’s love letter to Belinda Neal in parliament, what a disgrace that the married couple of state and federal labour would use their time on show to promote their on personal “relationship” this country is… Read more »

stephen says:

03:41pm | 26/11/09

America has a lot to be thankful for : Benjamin Franklin, George Washington Tom Paine and many others. Our founding ‘fathers’ were a bit rougher, and we have a lot to be thankful for too. Read more »

Sam says:

04:27pm | 24/11/09

So if I take too many drugs and suffer a cardiac arrest, then I will have died from a heart attack? And if I stupidly go swimming with polar bears and get eaten, then I will have died from “crushed and digested body parts syndrome”? And if I die from… Read more »

nic says:

04:08pm | 24/11/09

I have listened to Queen almost every day since 1977, they certainly dont make bands like that anymore and a great front-man. Did you know that Kurt Cobain mentions Freddie mercury in his suicide note? (a reference to the former loving his fame). Read more »

Lisa says:

10:58am | 17/11/09

Hmm, that good old word ‘prudish’. You are probably the same guy that called me a lesbian just because I wouldn’t sleep with you. Since when has such a put-down word become an acceptable descriptor for women? We are faced with the constant sexual sale of ourselves. Perhaps, James, you… Read more »

shabangabang says:

10:27am | 17/11/09

Hooray for page 3, in particular Keeley from Bromley. Have her calendars from the last 2 years an have the 2010 ready to put up. Or, if my girlfriend is reading this, my ‘friend’ thinks Keeley is the best and my ‘friend’ has her calendars. Read more »

AgibSmirm says:

09:46am | 02/03/10

The action taken to local and national disasters is awesome but it’s a damn shame that so many citizens take advantage of the sad situations. I mean everytime there is an earthquake, a flood, an oil spill - there’s always a group of heartless people who rip off tax payers.… Read more »

stephen says:

09:28pm | 13/11/09

Yes sir, you told everyone here your profession 5 months ago. We don’t wanna know, cause we won’t ‘kowe-towe’. Read more »

stephen says:

02:02pm | 12/11/09

Fake. By the way, where’s Maxine Mckew lately ? Read more »

iansand says:

09:02am | 12/11/09

Nessie is like UFOs.  She may exist, but belief is hampered by the vast collection of nutters, shonks and charlatans who have adopted her cause in their own interests. Read more »

kitanaIreland says:

11:41pm | 26/02/10

Want to share my experience, hope it’s helpful for somebody. Ihave an iTunes account user and there are gigabites of iTunes M4P files on my hard drive. Of course I used to listen to them on iPod. But recentluy my iPod was stolen (sh*t!) and I’ve got a new zune… Read more »

Peter says:

02:28pm | 11/11/09

We have enough immigrant taxi drivers with no clue as it is. We dont need any more. Read more »

Darryl says:

03:17pm | 09/11/09

Does this article (and the editorial no less) contain ironic humour? Or is it ineptitude? Tarred with the same brush indeed! http://www.themorningbulletin.com.au/story/2009/11/09/sudanese-want-fair-go/ Read more »

wolf says:

11:31am | 09/11/09

Oh come on, noone is going to mention the elephant in the room? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JNXKnJ6J4CY Read more »

RT says:

03:14pm | 09/11/09

Jolanda, do you seriously think that many people believe that the government is the mafia and might kill their critics, or would you agree that whoever told you that is a very isolated case of someone who holds a demonstrably baseless fear? If you believe that a lot of people… Read more »

Jolanda says:

01:56pm | 09/11/09

RT what I wrote was that when I started publicly bringing up the issues of bullying and corruption in the Education system and the failure of anybody in authority or in a position of power in our Government to act on formal allegations made against the DET so as to… Read more »

peter says:

11:13pm | 06/11/09

I was an emphatic yes on the republic and an apathetic yes (if that’s possible) on the preamble. My republican convictions haven’t weakened, only hardened. Read more »

Kia says:

04:34pm | 06/11/09

I, too, was only 18 at the time…while I don’t remember how I voted, I do remember being very annoyed that I had to go vote whilst hungover! I would more than likely vote yes if we had to go back again today. Read more »

Dan says:

06:52pm | 05/11/09

John A Neve, it doesn’t matter whether Hussein was America’s best friend (and I don’t think he was); the was unjustiafable and was an absolute disaster. Read more »

John A Neve says:

05:03pm | 05/11/09

Stephen @ 1452hrs. “Hussein was no stabilizing influence”, so is America? I would suggest Iraq was more stable under Hussein, than it is now. I stand by my first post, Hussein was America’s best friend in the middle east and Bush stuffed it all up. Read more »

Paul says:

08:44pm | 04/11/09

No one is supposed to know about that treaty in Copenhagen,ssssssssshhhhhhhhh ,don’t tell anyone!!! Read more »

Bang says:

08:25pm | 04/11/09

Puppet. Nobel Peace Prize winner who has tens of thousands of soldiers on foreign soil trying to kill people! Nice one BO. Something stinks! Read more »

stephen says:

12:44pm | 03/11/09

But why don’t they know ? Didn’t the Ruskys have sensors or even internal cameras to catch the hound snorting up to the Hasselblad ? Read more »

Bob H says:

08:31pm | 02/11/09

Thanks for reminding me of Alexis Sayle - not his best work but I shall have a chortle tonight over some other Alexis youtube offerings.  Why do the brits get such good comedians and we get Rove Read more »

iansand says:

10:38am | 02/11/09

I think “totalitarian” covers it, Eric.  I don’t think from whichever end of politics a dictator comes has any relevance to the horrors they perpetrate. Read more »

stephen says:

02:31pm | 30/10/09

They - the italian people - liked him, they liked him not, they liked him, they liked him not. They changed their position several times during WW2, and that’s what you get when Culture (with a big ‘C’) gets in the way of a healthy Democracy. Read more »

Carl Palmer says:

10:49am | 30/10/09

John A Neve - I guess the way he died summed it all up. Shot and killed and then hung up in a Piazza by meat hooks so that passing folks could throw stones at the body. I guess a few people weren’t happy with him. Read more »

stephen says:

05:47am | 28/10/09

Today in 1918… perhaps ? Anyway, the country has had a chequered(!) past, but any Czech will tell you that the important year was 1993. At this date, Czechoslovakia was partitioned into the Czech Republic, and Slovakia. (The girls are pretty too.) Read more »

Liz says:

12:45pm | 27/10/09

I love her outfit Read more »

stephen says:

11:24am | 27/10/09

When I was little I used to stare at the telly with my head tilted, tryin’ to work out which one had the talent. He’s karked it, she’s still kickin’ and I’m still tryin’ to work it out. Read more »

stephen says:

03:06pm | 26/10/09

That Great American, Tom Paine, said words to the effect that each generation should have the opportunity to re-make the world as he/she sees fit. (THE definition of American optimism.) George W. Bush saw his chance and did the right thing ; whatsmore, no country could have done better. Hussein… Read more »

stephen says:

02:46pm | 26/10/09

The fact of John McCain’s incarcaration may well have turned American voters off his candidacy. Americans, like Aussies, value experience and adventure, but not at the extreme, lest it turn us anti-suburban. President Obama is waiting. He’s letting events unfold, and shifting,ever so slightly, foreign policy. With the complexity of… Read more »

Peter Renshaw says:

07:03pm | 25/10/09

“... Today in 2003 the Concorde flew its last commercial passenger flight after 27 years in the air.  ...” I miss the concorde. I saw it once fly overhead then ran inside to watch it land on tv. Read more »

Mr Pastry says:

05:24pm | 25/10/09

It may have been a fuel monster but it was a beautiful aircraft -twice a day Londoners raised their eyes away from the paving admiring its stunning delta wings and noisy engines(cloud permitting), it was the last icon of an empire (even though half French). Read more »

howtosingbetter says:

05:43pm | 01/12/09

how to sing better Anyone can learn <a >how to sing better</a> if they have the drive and determination to improve. Many people think that people are born with a 5 octave reach, sounding like Mariah Carey. You might not be able to become the next massive superstar, but with… Read more »

Simmo says:

12:03pm | 23/10/09

Still no action on my proposed 3 day weekend from last Firday Lucy, what kind of investigative journalist are you????? Read more »

Rohan says:

02:29pm | 22/10/09

John its a bit hard to understand and i can only give you a general view of the problem. the deference between a defencive missile and a aggressive one comes down to a doctrone made up called Mutural Assured Destruction (or MAD Doctrone as it was known).  The Idea of… Read more »

Nick says:

02:24pm | 22/10/09

Defensive missile is used to shoot down incoming offensive missiles. Offensive missiles generally have a large payload / warhead and are designed for medium / long range. Defensive missiles are quicker, lighter and designed principally to “run down” the slower offensive ones at a short range. Read more »

stephen says:

05:50pm | 21/10/09

Until Science finds a connection between little things,and how they work, and big things, and how they work, I ain’t listenin’. And as for the Poets, well, you wouldn’t understand. Read more »

Mr Pastry says:

05:21pm | 21/10/09

Scientists describe the universe in which we live, Poets do the same in very simple ways.  Most people can understand the poet’s visual and emotional references with little knowledge but Science is difficult and for those without the relevant background or interest, it will be beyond them.  Being able to… Read more »