Piers Akerman
DURING last year’s election campaign, Kevin Rudd promised he would take ``legal action’’ against Iran’s President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad in the International Court of Justice for, ``inciting genocide’’.
That was then. Prime Minister Rudd is now at the UN where he has every opportunity to ask Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon to refer Ahmadinejad’s genocidal calls to the UN Security Council as a matter threatening international peace and security.
Don’t hold your breath, however. Mr Rudd is actually in New York to wheedle promises of support for Australia’s $40million bid to sit temporarily on the UN Security Council and rub shoulders with the big guys.
To win that prize, Rudd has to commit Australia to support some of the world’s more unsavoury nations, most of whom are chummy with Ahmadinejad. Rudd is unlikely to mention their friendship with the international bullyboy.
Closer to home, it would appear that the Rudd Government is similarly committed to avoiding brutal realities in an attempt to dodge diplomatic friction.
Last week, I noted that the Government seemed reluctant to act on evidence provided by the Seven network’s Today Tonight reporter James Thomas who had revealed that an East Timorese man, Guy Campos, accused of contributing to the beating death of 11-year-old Francisco Ximenes, and involvement in the disappearance of numerous others during Indonesia’s occupation of East Timor.
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Man claims penis was amputated without consent
A man who claims his penis was removed without his consent during what was supposed to be a circumcision has sued the doctor who performed the surgery.
Phillip Seaton, 61, and his wife are seeking unspecified compensation from Dr John Patterson and the medical practice that performed the circumcision for "loss of service, love and affection."
The Seatons also are seeking unspecified punitive damages from Patterson and his medical practice in Louisville, Kentucky.
A woman who answered the phone at Commonwealth Urology would not take a message for the doctor today.
But Seaton's lawyer said the doctor's post-surgical notes show the doctor thought he detected cancer and removed the penis. Lawyer Kevin George said a later test did detect cancer.
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Toking Turnbull: Libs leader admits to smoking pot
The man who could be our next Prime Minister has admitted to once smoking marijuana.
In a candid interview on ABC TV’s Q&A program, Liberal leader Malcolm Turnbull revealed to the nation that he had used drugs in the past.
"Yes, I have smoked pot,” Mr Turnbull said.
But he went on to say that the seriousness of drugs wasn't promoted during his childhood, describing it as a mistake.
“It is a serious question, and it’s a serious issue, and yes I have smoke pot…
"I think most well not most, many people have, it was a mistake to do so."
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Rudd winds up whirlwind US trip
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd winds up his three-day visit to New York today with an address to the United Nations General Assembly. - he seems blind sided by Brown - ed.
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Dope use no big deal - Gillard
ACTING Prime Minister Julia Gillard has joined Malcolm Turnbull in admitting she has tried marijuana. - strong insight on how the policy opposing workchoices came into being. - ed.
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China posts fake rocket launch story
CHINA'S state website described the launch of the country's space mission hours before it occurred.
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NSW pulls plug on computers in schools
THE New South Wales Government has pulled out of the second round of the Federal Government's computers in schools program after being refused more time to make applications.
Federal Education Minister Julia Gillard today said she had received funding applications from 626 schools ahead of the October 9 deadline.
But she said the NSW Department of Education had told state schools not apply for funding from the National Secondary Schools Computer Fund.
Ms Gillard said the state had withdrawn from the program after it requested and was refused an extension of the October 9 deadline.
"The NSW Government's decision is disappointing," she said. - the revolution begins - ed.
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Evangelist arrested over child sex
AN American evangelist accused of transporting children across state lines for sex has been arrested at a motel by FBI agents. -God really has a place in hell reserved for such creatures. - ed.
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OTTER OVER
Tim Blair
An otter departs:
After surviving the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill as a pup and teaching millions of fans about the spill’s devastating effects on her species, Nyac, the Vancouver Aquarium’s oldest sea otter, succumbed to leukemia Tuesday, leaving staff profoundly saddened …
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PALIN DEMONLESS
Tim Blair
Sarah Palin may not have met many world leaders, but the few she has met seem way impressed:
Pakistan’s recently-elected president, Asif Ali Zardari, entered the room seconds later. Palin rose to shake his hand, saying she was “honored” to meet him.
Zardari then called her “gorgeous” and said: “Now I know why the whole of America is crazy about you.”
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HALL FORT THE LAW
Tim Blair
Charged with assaulting his girlfriend, Sydney man Jason Hall appears before Magistrate Hillary Hannam. At which point Mr Hall offers his considered legal opinion on proceedings:
How about I just plead guilty to the whole f**king lot and just send me to gaol?
Yeah, I am. I’m guilty on the whole lot. Send me to f**king gaol you piece of s**it. It’s f**king wrong.
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SUN GUNS
Tim Blair
One sector of the US economy is cashing in on recent poll fears:
Gun sales are going boom around the country as gun owners and gun advocates brace for a potential Democrat in the White House for the first time in almost 10 years …
“You’d be surprised,” said Jeff Mercer, manager of George’s Pawn and Gun Shop on High Street. “It’s people of all races, too. People are scared.”
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SAVINGS SWAMPED
Tim Blair
The Guardian reports:
People who believe they have the greenest lifestyles can be seen as some of the main culprits behind global warming, says a team of researchers, who claim that many ideas about sustainable living are a myth.
According to the researchers, people who regularly recycle rubbish and save energy at home are also the most likely to take frequent long-haul flights abroad. The carbon emissions from such flights can swamp the green savings made at home, the researchers claim.
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