Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

The Adelaide Advertiser's Senior Features Writer, Samela Harris, is currently in the US, from where she's putting up a blog called Primary Number. Here is her account of watching Hillary go about her business.

Joint press conference by Condoleezza Rice and Alexander Downer earlier this week.

Peter Costello's speech and Q&A with journos in the pre-Budget lock-up

"My remarks today will reflect on relationships with the US and domestic issues which influence the fundamentals of Australia.  There has in recent times been a major attack on traditionally accepted Australian values.  This also impacts on our reputation in our region and in the wider world.  This is particularly damaging because the Bush government is on the way out and, within the United States, those who have supported it strongly will, in the next Administration, be regarded as pariahs." Malcolm Fraser

A meeting with the World Bank International Advisory Group on the Nam Theun 2 Dam in Laos

These notes were prepared by Ed Haber for the Third Voice Alliance ...

"Upon coming to power in March 1996 the Coalition removed reference to Australia being a “good international citizen” as an objective of Australian foreign policy. Examination of the Coalition’s 11 years in office confirms that omission was deliberate." Robert McClelland MP.

Paul Krugman recently delivered the keynote speech at the Economic Policy Institute's second Agenda for Shared Prosperity event. Webdiarist Peter Hindrup recommends we read this interesting speech and open a conversation about it as "apart from anything else it might just shake some of regulars from their entrenched positions and create a real debate."

Lao has had a low level insurgency since 1975 when the Pathet Lao took government. But that might be about to wind down.

Full text here

"Compassion is not a dirty word. Compassion is not a sign of weakness. In my view, compassion in politics and in public policy is in fact a hallmark of great strength. It is a hallmark of a society which has about it a decency which speaks for itself.": Kevin Rudd

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

"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."

"Our reputation as a successful multicultural society is now threatened. ... The new security laws diminish the rights of all Australians. I do not know of any other democracy that has legislated for the secret detention of people the authorities know to be innocent.": Malcolm Fraser
Text updated to transcript of speech as delivered

“The stark prospects of climate change and its mounting economic and human costs are clearly brought out in this searching investigation. What is particularly striking is the identification of ways and means of sharply minimizing these penalties through acting right now, rather than waiting for our lives to be overrun by rapidly advancing adversities. The world would be foolish to neglect this strong but strictly time-bound practical message. ” Amartya Sen

[Figures now added]

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission would be looking beyond mere changes in media delivery technology to deeper issues in order to ensure competition was preserved, ACCC Chairman, Mr Graeme Samuel, said today.

An excess mortality of nearly 100 000 deaths was reported in Iraq for the period March, 2003–September, 2004, attributed to the invasion of Iraq. Our aim was to update this estimate. We estimate that as of July, 2006, there have been 654 965 (392 979–942 636) excess Iraqi deaths as a consequence of the war, which corresponds to 2·5% of the population in the study area. Of post-invasion deaths, 601 027 (426 369–793 663) were due to violence, the most common cause being gunfire. The number of people dying in Iraq has continued to escalate. The proportion of deaths ascribed to coalition forces has diminished in 2006, although the actual numbers have increased every year. Gunfire remains the most common cause of death, although deaths from car bombing have increased.

Senate Team Report for the sitting week beginning Monday 11 September 2006. Thanks to the Australian Democrat Senators.

"We're engaged in a global struggle -- and the entire civilized world has a stake in its outcome. America is a nation of law. And as I work with Congress to strengthen and clarify our laws here at home, I will continue to work with members of the international community who have been our partners in this struggle. I've spoken with leaders of foreign governments, and worked with them to address their concerns about Guantanamo and our detention policies. I'll continue to work with the international community to construct a common foundation to defend our nations and protect our freedoms." George Bush, President of the United States

"Was the ABC’s reason for pulling Jonestown, the unauthorised biography on the influential radio presenter Alan Jones, political or commercial? Was it the result of an ABC Board stacked with appointees who share the political interests of the incumbent government, or a board dominated by people with a narrow business outlook?" Glenys Stradijot

"The journey to enlightenment in Australia is by no means complete. But on the issue of sexuality, it has certainly commenced. As the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights told the recent conference in Montreal it is a matter of fundamental human rights and basic human dignity. In the end, it is not only about gays. It is about all people and the quality of freedom and mutual respect in the society that we want to live in. The momentum is unstoppable." Michael Kirby

"Lebanon’s reconstruction, so painstakingly carried out in the 1990’s, is now at risk of being undone. But Lebanon is not alone in that respect: according to the UN and several independent studies, countries in transition from war to peace face roughly a 50% chance of sliding back into warfare. ... Any transition to peace may well prove ephemeral unless policymakers make political reconciliation and integration – not optimal economic policies – the bedrock priority. Despite its failures, the UN is probably still the best-placed organization to oversee such efforts.": Graciana del Castillo

"The Migration Amendment (Designated Unauthorised Arrivals) Bill is the most profoundly disturbing piece of legislation I have encountered since becoming a member of parliament.": Petro Georgiou
"Mr Speaker this legislation ... is not a matter between conscience and patriotism. For surely each one is worthless without the other and ethical principles should inform them both.": Judy Moylan

"Students across the nation – Jewish, Muslim, Catholic and Baha’i – have announced a united national prayer chain for peace in response to the growing and increasingly serious nature of the middle-east conflicts. The student groups call on all Australians to pray together in unity for peace in the Middle East, particularly in Lebanon and Israel, that we may encounter one another in harmony, having deep concern for the victims of violence, and for all those who suffer. We hope that all may be inspired by the wisdom of peace, the strength of justice and the joy of fellowship." Media Release from The Australasian Union of Jewish Students, The Muslim Students Association of Australia, The Australian Catholic Students Association and the National Baha’i Youth Committee.

A Statement on the Middle East by Canberra’s Church leaders

This is Alexander Downer's speech last night to the Centre for Independent Studies. Worth a debate?

The MetaCapitalism Research Programme within the University of Wollongong is hosting Professor Ian Angell from the LSE to speak on his experience in the UK National ID Cards debate at a lecture, titled "Can Technology Manage Identity?", on the 17th of July in Wollongong, at 7pm, repeated in Sydney on the 18th at 12 noon.

"Magistrate Kerry McGuiness finally handed down her decision regarding my charges of obstructing police today after two months deliberation." Jim Dowling

There is much debate in the UK around the declaration by a group of bloggers and journos that calls for (yet another?) re-alignment of progressive forces under the heading of The Euston Manifesto. Life being what it is, the debate has been more around the "Elaborations" than around the "Statement of principles" - but are even the principles the right ones? To help you consider that question, here is the full text.

AMY GOODMAN: Today, we spend the hour with acclaimed author and activist Arundhati Roy. Her first novel, The God of Small Things, was awarded the Booker Prize in 1997. It’s sold over six million copies, has been translated in over 20 languages around the world. Since then, Roy has devoted herself to political writing and activism.