The Sydney Morning Herald's right-wing columnist, Miranda Devine (whose email address, devinemiranda@hotmail.com, really sums up her attitude) today takes aim at the so-called Howard haters and kindly even mentions NHJ!

'Hating John Howard has become an industry', she begins, then deems it irrelevant if Howard and his ilk lied about children overboard, or any other major issue, for that matter. Power at any cost. Media cheerleaders are so transparently supportive, it's pathetic.

Meanwhile, Liberal Senator George Brandis will be supporting Howard till the end. Speaking on ABC's Lateline last night, it was almost tragic to see a democratically elected representative defending a position which is becoming more convoluted by the day.

'The prime minister's version of these conversations has been consistent from the start,' Brandis said. Ever wonder why people are increasingly ignoring politicians, George?

And in related news, famed writer Kurt Vonnegut has written a scathing account of America's democracy under George W. Bush, with disturbing parallels to John Howard's Australia.