Headlines Sunday 13th July

Costello the MP or PM?
Piers Akerman
Former treasurer Peter Costello has the capacity to change the political landscape with his nearly completed political biography.

Although he remains firmly on the Opposition back bench and is adamant he isn’t angling for a comeback, he’s just as resolute in declaring that nothing in the future is either in or out.
The future will be decided when his book is completed; all but the final words have been delivered to Melbourne University Press, the bipartisan publishing house run by Labor stalwart Louise Adler, the wife of actor and comedian Max Gillies. -I tend to avoid leadership speculation of the Liberal party as I believe it is often used by the wider media to destabilize the Liberals and bolster ALP. However, my view is Dr Nelson is a capable leader whereas Costello would be a gifted one. I don't think Turnbull is a politician. I think Turnbull has talent, but not in the field of political leadership.
I feel that Dr Nelson has to continue working to reform the Liberal party in the wake of the last election loss. I think the Queensland unification model experimental, but essential to the long term future of conservatism.If the reform stalls, there will be baggage the media will manipulate in the future, in much the same way as happened when the ALP took the Northern Territory or last won Queensland.
I don't use popularity as a measure for Conservative leaders. ALP use popularity, whereas conservatives use substance. I note Howard's popularity in '95 was quite low. Similarly, Howard's popularity was low over the faux issues of child overboard, Timor, boarder security, GST, Wharf reform and so on.
Popularity seems to only be a measure of the public's awareness of the ALP.
It isn't popularity which gets votes for conservatives. Often I hear some say "I only voted for (some conservative) because I felt betrayed by (some ALP member who is no longer pretty and outstayed their welcome)."Just note, the public have not voted out an ALP leader in a very long time. They all seem to get jettisoned by their colleagues first. The political wind does not guard the conservative vote. -ed
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I knew nothing says NSW's potential premier
The man touted as the next New South Wales premier, Nathan Rees, has branded as "gutless slander" claims linking him to jailed sex offender Milton Orkopoulos. -I believe him incapable, but not stupid. -ed
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It was Mick Corby's marijuana: McCauley
Mick Corby owned the marijuana found in the boogie board bag of his daughter Schapelle, says a convicted drug trafficker who claims he and Mr Corby were drug associates. - like a scene from Schindler's list, blaming the dead after the fact. -ed.
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Labor MP warns of chaos under Iemma
Another NSW Labor MP has broken ranks to expose chaos within the party and warn of a collapse at the next election, adding to speculation about Morris Iemma's leadership.
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Rudd branded a 'foul-mouthed MP' - prone to ill discipline and fearful behavior
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd is a bad-tempered, foul-mouthed MP who launches into expletive rants when things don't go his way, according to an explosive new book.
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Kids warned not to steal porridge from bears
TEACHERS are being trained to warn children after reading them fairytales not to behave like characters in the books.-Groundbreaking work. Climbing bean shoots should be banned too. As should be throwing stones. Flying too close to the sun. Looking in a mirror. Piercing a heart with ice. Reading scary bed time stories to a politician.-ed.
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Just some warming links
Andrew Bolt
My uncle in Darwin had an argument with the guy who runs the stall next to his after this show, and has called for reinforcements.

I’ll post what I’ve sent him here in case the links are of use to you, too:

Global warming sceptic’s website - with lots of links: http://motls.blogspot.com/

A more technical site run by a prominent, and very credible, sceptic: http://www.climateaudit.org/

A debate on global warming between seven Nobel Prince science winners: http://motls.blogspot.com/2008/07/lindau-half-of-nobel-prize-winners-are.html

An easy explanation of the four main measurements of world temperature, and why only one of them claims any warming since 1998. http://www.theregister.co.uk/2008/05/02/a_tale_of_two_thermometers/

A graph of the world temperature of one of that four, showing temperatures have actually fallen since the world first heard a scientist sound the alarm about cooling: http://www.climateaudit.org/?p=3231

A very readable, comprehensive explanation of sceptics case by Lord Lawson, the former British Lord Chancellor (ie Treasurer) who was part of a House of Lords inquiry into the economics of climate change: http://www.cps.org.uk/cpsfile.asp?id=641
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Swearing by Rudd
Andrew Bolt
The foul language and temper will help counter other Rudd negatives - as in a seeming lack of strength or conviction. But that’s only as long as it’s something more talked about than witnessed by the public. Otherwise, of course, it will easily be seen instead as a sign of panic and indiscipline.

But there is one further negative to this that isn’t shown in polls. Abused staff aren’t as likely to be loyal or discreet.
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No to this racism
Andrew Bolt
Michelle Grattan fails to consider whether Labor’s plan for a new Aboriginal representative body is inherently doomed to disaster, given all the past failures:

From the black parliament of Whitlam days to the elected and shambolic ATSIC, to say nothing of the various non-elected advisory committees, trying to officially channel an indigenous voice has been fraught. The Rudd Government has given itself a clean sheet. It has said the new body won’t be another ATSIC, but hasn’t locked itself into detail on structure…
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Obama falls
Andrew Bolt
Hot Air reports:

Last month, Newsweek’s poll surprised many by showing a huge gap between Barack Obama and John McCain, with the Democratic nominee-apparent enjoying a 15-point lead over the Republican. One month later, Obama has lost all of the momentum and has dropped into a virtual tie with McCain. The latest Newsweek poll shows Obama up 44-41, within the margin of error
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California dreaming: its Potemkin greens
Andrew Bolt
Glenn Milne meant this to sound hopeful:

The great thing about visiting California is that it gives you a sense of where Australia is probably headed. In the context of the climate change debate, this assertion stands, only more so… Remember, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger is something of an environmental pin-up boy for Rudd.