Secret trial 'threatens to undermine the centuries-old British principle of open justice' …

from William blum …..

Penny for your thoughts, Tony Blair…?
It’s ok, I’m only joking – I don’t care
For any of them – and I know you
Charge a fortune -
You can keep ‘em to yourself mein
Whorey Herr.

Whilst recently watching our ‘dear leader’, Prime Minister Tony Abbott, flicking his tongue in & out like one of those scary marine iguanas that inhabit the Galapagos Islands, it suddenly occurred to me that his many strange behaviours might be redolent of something far more serious – like brain damage.

from the New Yorker …..

Progressive thinkers can't afford to disagree among ourselves as paralysis sets in.

from the Monthly …..

from Crikey …..

Aussies dead in drone strikes & Brandis does not care

from Crikey ….

Asylum seekers detained on Manus Island were told that Papua New Guinea was dangerous, impoverished and corrupt as part of education sessions about the resettlement country.

from politicoz ….

liar …..

“a person who tells lies …..”

“Prior to the 2003 invasion and occupation of Iraq, US and other western oil companies were all but completely shut out of Iraq’s oil market. But thanks to the invasion and occupation, the companies are now back inside Iraq and producing oil there for the first time since being forced out of the country in 1973.”

Some Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff are annoyed Prime Minister Tony Abbott's daughter Louise is working at Australia's embassy in Geneva, which is headed by former Coalition staffer Peter Woolcott.