Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

"Most of us remember the day of the September 11 terrorist attacks with photographic clarity. We remember our horror at the footage of the plane slamming into the World Trade Tower, and banal details such as where we were and who was with us when we first heard the news. Muslim Australians remember all this, but they also remember something else: they were suddenly treated very differently.": David Curry

"s.116 of the Australian Constitution Act enshrines the principle of freedom of religion in to Australian society. To effect any regulation of religious symbols or dress in Australian schools would require a referendum. Referendums are costly and time-consuming and should not be attempted unless there is a reasonable prospect of success and if it is for an issue with substantial contemporary relevance. I will proceed to argue that this is such an issue.": Solomon Wakeling

Democrats have passed the 218 seats for firm (not just projected) control of the House. In the Senate, Allen has now conceded Virginia, so Democrats control both houses. See Tony Phillips' discussion of what this means below ... (Even though he didn't predict Rummy falling on his sword).

"The emerging result is not something to get overly excited about, since it does not of itself end the war in Iraq, change US policy on climate change, or even reverse the growing inequality of the country. However, it does raise a number of possibilities and scenarios for both the US and John Howard’s all the way with George W foreign policy.": Tony Phillips

"The original cross-media ownership laws might not have guaranteed local content, especially in radio, but they did guarantee separate control of broadcast and print in each market, and that is the basic foundation on which a government should build localism requirements.": Peter Andren MP

"Last weekend, thousands of people indulged in one of our Prime Minister's favourite pastimes – walking – in response to an issue that still has our glorious leader ducking and weaving – global climate meltdown. ... Whereas 'the mob', as Howard would undoubtedly call us, clearly have an appetite for immediate action, the pollies have made it clear that, when it comes to the tough calls, they don't plan to budge for the next few decades.": Justin Tutty

"As an American, I am appalled, ashamed, and embarrassed by my country’s lack of leadership in dealing with global warming. Scientific evidence on the risks mounts by the day, as most recently documented in England’s magisterial Stern Report. Yet, despite the fact that the United States accounts for roughly 25% of all man-made global carbon emissions, Americans show little will or inclination to temper their manic consumption. ... America’s unwillingness to take the lead on environmental issues may some day be regarded as one of the country’s most profound political failures. One hopes that it changes course soon, before we all are forced to wear swimsuits to work.": Kenneth Rogoff

Introduced by Hon. Bob Hawke, Mediated by Jana Wendt: What has been the impact of Work Choices - and what should be the future direction of workplace relations reform in Australia?: Tuesday, 14 November 2006, 6pm, City Recital Hall Angel Place, Sydney

"There is something heroic in my mind for a country that is suffering all that Iraq is suffering, yet it still strove to conduct the trial, to have an embrace of the rule of law which is so fundamental to the establishment of a democracy." - John Howard

Specialist in Pacific media and journalism and their contexts, Dr Mark Hayes, is a very close Region and Fiji watcher, as well as often a traveller Out There. Back in January, 2006, Mark peered into his tanoa (kava bowl) to help predicted the outcome of the 2006 Fiji election. Dr Hayes does a weekly Pacific News Wrap - 'Mo oe mai i le Pasifika (For you, from the Pacific)' - on Mondays for the subscriber-only alert and digest service, The Daily Briefing. Here's the Fiji section of the Wrap from Monday, November 6, 2006, slightly edited and updated to early Tuesday, November 7, and compiled while fighting off a raging attack of deja vu.

"To mark this moment of triumph over tyranny, I've set the Story of Scott Parkin's Federal Court win to verse.  Click along on the links as you sing.  I picked this particular tune as it's the Australian song that the Texans know best.": Richard Tonkin

"The Southern Cross was the emblem raised in the boldest and most effective democratic initiative ever taken in Australian history. That to my mind is a good enough reason to fly it perpetually in Ballarat, and to raise it on November 29th every year all over the land.": Ian MacDougal

"Antarctic krill must not be fished to feed the fish farms of the world while starving the penguins, seals, whales, and other species whose survival depends on these tiny, but vitally important, creatures.": Virginia Gascón González and Rodolfo Werner Kinkelin, Antarctic Krill Conservation Project.

"The other evening I lay awake listening to blood regurgitating in my weakened heart. I began to ponder the lot of others whose quality of life was also impaired. How many people were in a similar or a worse condition?": Kevin Maguire

"It has not always been comfortable for those in government, and there is still a tug-of-war over sensitive documents. But, in the former communist bloc, the benefits brought by transparency have been undeniable. At the same time, Romania’s experience demonstrates that official secrecy remains a threat to the core values of democratic governance, and that only constant vigilance, in both established and young democracies, can prevent its encroachment.": Monica Macovei

October statistics, financials, and technicals.

"Alienated and unemployed youth are a concern everywhere. They pose a particular challenge in the developing world, where a demographic bulge equal to the great "baby boom" that occurred in the West at the end of World War II is growing. But the post-war era in the world’s most developed countries was one of unprecedented prosperity for the baby boom generation, which is now nearing retirement. Will the future be as promising for the developing world’s billion-plus young people between the ages of 12 and 24?": François Bourguignon, Chief Economist, World Bank

"It's probably older than European settlement in Australia, but a new Australian settlement next door threatens to destroy it. One of Vientiane's oldest relics, an ancient That (stupa) which reputedly contains the remains of a wayward prince, is being threatened by earthworks on the site for the new Australian embassy in Lao.": Melody Kemp

"Financial donations to political parties and candidates are potentially one of the most corrupting forces in our political system. The Local Government and Shires Association calls upon the Federal Government to convene a National Summit to develop a national strategy to fundamentally reform, in a coordinated manner, all the financial donations legislation for all 3 levels of Australian government; ie: federal, all state governments and all local councils."