The Olympics are replete with breathtaking sights and sounds. The blur of Usain Bolt. The wash created by that human propeller Michael Phelps. 

However, at London 2012, there is unlikely to be a moment more utterly gobsmacking than the Australian Olympic Committee president John Coates declaring the key to an improved performance by Australia was to make sport compulsory in school, and to thus increase participation rates.

I have not forgotten them... they lurk on the drawing board in various forms... this is number 32...

A spectacular boat explosion, pointed guns, BRW rich listers and secret shareholdings in the British Virgin Islands are just some of the intriguing elements involving former government ministers, investors and controversial coalmining deals worth tens of millions of dollars.

No less than the Wall Street Journal (WSJ) posted a column on the history of putting to death those who engage in financial malfeasance. 

Bill Shorten, nasty little prick, insulted an Asian woman about her pie. This is big news in Australia. It is much more important evidently than the possible charges to be laid against Rupert and James Murdoch in Britain.

from politicoz …..

Wayne Swan is a working class legend in his own lunchtime. Just ask him. Or rather just read his John Button memorial speech.

Commentators are fairly unanimous that the Rio+20 talks have been a failure. Expectations had of course been low. And because of this most developed country leaders stayed away. In opening the summit Ban Ki-Moon admitted the draft outcome was “disappointing” due to the conflicting interests of member states. China’s Sha Zukang, the UN’s lead on the conference agreed, calling the statement “an outcome that makes nobody happy.”

from the Drum …..

Research discussed by The Drum's panel on Thursday night confirms that improvements to Australia's food supply are desperately needed if we are to reduce deaths from Australia's number one killer, heart disease.

Not only is Julia Gillard being attacked by the Opposition and the media, she is also being undermined by her own so-called supporters, says Victoria Rollison

from Crikey ….. 

Nuclear drumbeat grows as US eyes Australia

The weather and the time difference are turning the London 2012 Olympics into the doona games as Sydneysiders snuggle up in front of the TV or computer, and shun live venues offering Olympic viewing.