Good morning Iraq - posted by Graham

Congratulations to the Iraqi nation. In the face of extreme intimidation Iraqis turned out in numbers that would have been considered to be satisfactory even in well-established democracies like the US. There was never any real doubt that voters would... More

Worst of the worst - posted by Graham

"Worst of the worst?" was the title of a Four Corners investigation into Mamdouh Habib on 20th July, 2004. Anyone wanting to weigh into the debate about his detention and then lack of trial ought to read the transcript. In... More

Sophie's choice the best - posted by Graham

As I predicted soon after last election - Howard government control of the Senate is likely to lead to more intra-Liberal Party activism than in previous parliaments (certainly any in the '90s). One sign of that is the newly formed... More

Physician heal thyself. - posted by Graham

Roman Catholicism has a problem - too many churches and not enough priests. In Australia this is normally put down to the presumed fact that a celibate lifestyle is no longer attractive, leading to a shortage of candidates for consecration... More

Cleaning up the Labor house - posted by Graham

The last fortnight's shennanigans show just why Mark Latham won the Labor leadership in the first place, and why federal Labor is likely to continue to lose elections. Mark Latham was a supporter of On Line Opinion from an early... More

Impressions of Venice Beach - posted by Ronda Jambe

Last year was the first time I’d overnighted there. My previous visits were long ago and blurred by their brevity. I recalled the body builders, the colorful murals, the hippie grunge and the biggest of the sidewalk cafés. This time... More

Tsunami relief - tiptoeing across the waters - posted by Graham

Abu Bakar Bashir, spiritual head of Jemaah Islamiyah is being more honest, and more strategic, than Jamie Isbister, project manager with Catholic welfare agency Caritas, or Father Chris Riley, head of Youth off the Streets. Bashir says that "he is... More

Sharks in the Tsunami - posted by Graham

I've avoided writing about the Indian Ocean Tsunami so far. Mostly out of respect. Respect for those who died. Respect for their relatives who grieve. Respect for the existential pitilessness of nature. Time for analysis and comment comes, but not... More