Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

|| Report on Western responses to terrorism  || Editorial says world can't afford a president this bad || George Monbiot says media hides Iraq war crimes || Robert Scheer on lies and Iraq war intelligence  || Christopher Hitchens on the failure to deal with Darfur || Report on subsidies and record US corn harvest  || Marc Kaufman on the Dalai Lama and science  || Germaine Greer says the Aboriginal art bubble has burst  || McKibben on the world's best city, Curitiba || Satire: John Kenny uncovers more letters from Harriet to George  ||

"In the absence of any domestic human rights instrument and in light of limited judicial review, it is clear that effective parliamentary review of the antiterrorism laws is all the more important. Indeed, it was the Senate committee process that successfully toned down many of the worst parts of the antiterrorism legislation introduced by the Howard government in 2002-2004. However, with both Houses of Parliament now under Coalition control, the process of reviewing legislation before it is enacted is unlikely to continue to provide effective and adequate safeguards." Christopher Michaelsen

"The Court is also the final court of appeal in criminal and civil matters and determines disputes between citizens and government and between governments within our federal system. Because judicial power must be exercised in accordance with judicial process it is the final protector of the rights of citizens. It is impossible not to feel the weight of the responsibilities involved." High Court Justice Susan Crennan

"Don't forget, Mr Howard, that if ever there is a terrorist attack in Australia, it is you personally who must take the lion's share of the blame, for it as a result of your rushing to support George Bush in the Iraq war. Remember how you flew in the very face of public opinion, as evidenced by those huge street marches back in February 2003 and whose clear message you just chose to ignore. What a monumental error of judgment that was for Australia. Had it not been for your rush to please George Bush, would there have been any grounds for this week's raids and arrest? Would there have been any need for all your frightening legislation? Would we be having to devote so much of our resources to anti-terrorism and security?" Former Liberal Party President John Valder

|| Theodore Dalrymple on the suicide bombers among us || Report on the impact on anti-terror laws on academics  || Emilie Rutledge on the dollar, oil and Iran's market  || David Aaronovitch on the source of the French riots  || David Halberstam on the social lessons of Hurricane Katrina  || Nicholas Kristof on Mukhtaran Bibi || Report on the accidental release of intelligence costs || Brandon Keim on using nanotechnology to cure cancer || Sasha Frere-Jones on the rise of Houston hip-hop ||

|| The laws are adequate || Commissioner feared media tipped off suspects || Man in Australian raids allegedly seeking revenge for Iraq || Aussies schooled by al-Qa'ida || No Commonwealth Games link in terror raids || Political espionage Court hears of plot 'to leak policy' || Parliamentry Library international terrorism law links... ||