=== Todays Toon ===
The ALP fears to say what it intends to do. The Coalition releases policy. - ed.=== Bible Quote ===
“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”- Luke 12:6-7=== Headlines ===
It's War — Virginia Lawmakers Fight Gates' Base Cuts
State lawmakers blast defense secretary's decision to shed a major military command in Norfolk over budget cuts, saying the move impacts thousands of workers and also arguing the command could actually help the Pentagon save money.Mosque Vandalized as National Tensions Rise
President of Islamic center in Texas blames backlash against the proposed Ground Zero mosque for acts of hatred against his congregation
Hallelujah: Captured Killer Sang With Choir
Less than 24 hours before authorities arrested escaped Arizona inmate Tracey Province near Yellowstone, the convicted killer was singing spirituals with small-town Wyoming congregation
U.S., Russia Simulate Terror Attack in Sky
In historic first for ex-Cold War foes, countries' military officers direct fighter jets and ground controllers to test how well they could track an international terrorist hijacking over the Pacific
Breaking News
Flight attendant abuses man then jumpsSTEWARD tells passenger: "F*** you" down PA system before exiting plane via emergency chute.
She'll be NZ apples, Australia told
AUSTRALIA will appeal a World Trade Organisation ruling that tough restrictions on New Zealand apples are unduly restrictive.
Schools Spectacular scrubbing hurts kids
THE last-minute cancellation of a performing arts event meant to replace the Rock Eisteddfod has left students heartbroken.
Townsville to host Gay Mardi Gras
TOWNSVILLE'S dancing queens are polishing their performances for the city's first ever Pride Festival.
Drunk led cops on 400km chase
A DRUNK and disqualified driver pursued by police for over 400km at high speeds has lost his licence for almost five years.
Watch Bieber get hit in head by bottle
VIDEO from a Justin Bieber gig shows the singer getting hit in the head with a full water bottle thrown by an audience member.
Dollar lower ahead of US rates meeting
THE dollar opened lower today after a night of lacklustre trade as investors await the US central bank's assessment of the US economy.
Portia de Rossi to become Portia DeGeneres
AUSTRALIAN actress Portia de Rossi has filed papers to legally take the last name of her wife Ellen DeGeneres.
Driver's 290km/h dash could cost $1m
POLICE said today they had seized a motorist's $240,000 sports car after he was caught doing 290km/h on a motorway.
US shares grow on rates anticipation
WALL Street shares closed today with modest gains as investors eagerly awaited a key Federal Reserve meeting
NSW/ACT
Bomb threat disrupts Premier's speechKRISTINA Keneally and Barry O'Farrell were among hundreds evacuated from the Hilton Hotel last night for fears of a bomb threat.
Soft side of a real hard cop
THERE are a lot of stories people could tell about late cop Noel Morey, but it would be hard to go past this one, told by his daughter.
Pervert priest released from jail
ONE of the state's most notorious paedophiles, former Catholic priest Vince Ryan, was let out of jail , fitted with an ankle bracelet.
Police return to Kiesha's home
A DRAMATIC second raid was made on the home of missing six-year-old girl Kiesha Abrahams.
Drink-driving MP 'lied to police'
CHERIE Burton will come under pressure to resign from the Labor Party and Parliament today.
Mum 'had no time for little Tegan'
A DESIRE to "represent Australia at the Olympics" was behind Keli Lane allegedly killing her daughter.
Sideshow Mark's 60 seconds of fame
"JOURNALIST" Mark Latham launched a bile-filled attack on Laurie Oakes, live on Sky television.
Queensland
Police pursuit ends in crashA CAR of alleged offenders being chased by police crashed into a power pole on the Gold Coast this morning.
Possum, winds cause blackouts
A POSSUM and gusty winds have played havoc with Brisbane's electricity supplies overnight, causing blackouts.
Camping store, cars targeted by fire bug
ONE fire bug blamed for three blazes lit at businesses in Logan before dawn.
Drunk led cops on 400km chase
A DRUNK and disqualified driver pursued by police for over 400km at high speeds has lost his licence for almost five years and been jailed for 18 months.
Real police sing the blues
OK, SO they're not a British supergroup with a lead singer named Sting . . . but these musos really are the police.
Residents block coal seam testing
A SHOWDOWN is under way between one of the world's biggest energy companies and Tara's "blockies" on a dirt road in the middle of nowhere.
Parents fly to Bali death row appeal
"I'M numb. I'm always numb," said a stoic Lee Rush as he and wife Christine left Brisbane yesterday to be with their son in a last-ditch bid to save his life.
'Redemption' is Ben's saving range
BRISBANE'S new golden boy of fashion Ben Ringuet only started designing womenswear late last year, not that it stopped him from breaking into Fashion Week.
North Qld wants to break free
NORTH Queensland must become a separate state now or its wealth will forever be lost to the population growth-hungry southeast corner, NQ mayors say.
David Jones eyes off Sunshine Plaza
DAVID Jones is planning to open a store in Sunshine Plaza at Maroochydore in 2012, and has lodged a development application with the local council.
Victoria
Boy, 9, crushed by tractorUPDATE 8.30am: A NINE-year-old boy sustained serious injuries after he was accidentally run over by a trailer in Gippsland yesterday.
Power cuts for poor
VICTORIANS hit with soaring electricity bills could have their power rationed under a smart meter plan.
New bans on cruising for sex
KERB crawlers in St Kilda face bans of up to 72 hours under new laws.
Do the crime, rehab time
CHURCH leaders have called for less focus on locking up criminals, saying there are better ways of reducing crime.
Prestige home prices plunge
WEALTHY home owners have been hit by a 15 per cent drop in the value of their homes.
CFA has no cash for suits
A BUDGET shortfall has left some CFA volunteers without the necessary protective clothing.
Cats out of the bag
THERE is almost always a line in the sand - you're either a dog person or a cat person.
GP chief decides he's had enough
THE future of Melbourne's Grand Prix has been assured despite the resignation of its chief executive.
David Hille's brush with death
WHEN David Hille forced out of the smoking wreck of a car in which three of his schoolmates died, he owed his life to his seat belt.
Tots' agony after attack
A BOY ignored desperate pleas to stop before burning two children with a shower of dangerous chemicals yesterday.
Northern Territory
Nothing newSouth Australia
Pedestrian killed by truckA PEDESTRIAN has been killed by a truck at Virginia.
Knives out for Health
DELAYS in surgery and fewer hospital beds are likely if the Health Department is forced to make the $450 million in cuts demanded by the Government's razor gang.
For Niki, art is in her blood
WHITE carnations flush and blush with the blood of local artist Niki Sperou.
Mouse plague policy reviewed
THE concerns of mice and men were discussed in the newly-formed South Australia Mice Working Party yesterday.
Abduction fears raised in Balaklava
A MAN driving a car with Victorian numberplates is wanted for suspicious behaviour towards a child in Balaklava.
Science to rock The Gov
SCIENCE will rock The Gov tonight when the stars of the Great Big Science Gig roll in to town.
Keeping mum at schools
PARENTS are taking it upon themselves to address specialist staff shortages in schools, education groups say.
Secrecy silences Burnside targets
TARGETS of the Burnside Council inquiry have had to sign confidentiality contracts promising to keep details of the report secret before being allowed to view it.
Missing teenager found safe and well
A TEENAGER missing from Ingle Farm since Friday has been found safe and well.
The things drivers do in the country...
A DRIVER who indicated using his vehicle - instead of the trailer it was being transported on - has been fined in a police operation cracking down on rural driving.
Western Australia
Glassing victim 'lucky to be alive'POLICE say a 22-year-old man who was glassed at a Perth nightclub is lucky to be alive, with veins and arteries in his neck severed in the attack.
Streets reopened after shed fire lockout
STREETS in Ellenbrook have been reopened after a fire in a backyard shed forced the closure of several homes.
Premier defends MP pay rises
WA Premier Colin Barnett has defended a 4.3 per cent pay increase for Members of Parliament, saying politicians work hard in their roles.
Close look at Avon Descent finish?
THESE photographs of the Avon Descent finish use new technology to provide a closer look at events than ever before.
Mum and daughter flee burning house
A MOTHER and her young daughter fled from their burning home early this morning after a terrifying arson attack on their Beechboro property.
Tasmania
Suspicious package found at bus stopPOLICE have found a suspicious package in central Hobart, and have closed off a major street.
=== Journalists Corner ===
Tonight on 'The Factor'"O" Baby! Talk queens Rosie O'Donnell & Oprah team up! Will the partnership work? Plus, celebrating anti-American sentiments! Did Obama's administration force a state official to attend such an event? Charles Krauthammer exposes the story!
===
Could Democrats Stop Pelosi's New Bill?
Nancy Pelosi wants the House to pass another billion-dollar-bill. But, could the speaker's own party put a stop to the spending plan? Rep. Chris Van Hollen reacts on 'Your World'.
===
Guest: Michelle Malkin
The "Corrupt-O-Crats"? As the Dems face a wave of scandals, how much will their troubles help the GOP come midterm elections? Michelle Malkin weighs in.
===
On Fox News Insider
Full Text: Charges Against Rep. Waters RevealedThe GOP's Secret Female Weapons
Leading the World in College Graduates by 2020?
=== Comments ===
President Obama Wants You to Believe Him on the EconomyBY BILL O'REILLY
Employment data out this morning says that in July, 131,000 jobs were lost, another bad economic sign. But President Obama continues to believe that his policies will eventually turn the economy around. And he's not showing any signs of doubt.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
PRESIDENT OBAMA: Don't bet against the American worker. Don't lose faith in the American people. Don't lose faith in American industry. We are coming back.
What has been gratifying is the fact that the economy now is starting to save lives and grow again. And what's been satisfying is just seeing how resilient the American people are.
July marked the seventh straight month of job creation in the private sector. So jobs have been growing in the private sector for seven straight months.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
That's true, but the federal and state workers are now losing their jobs, which is why July was a bad month for employment. And when you do the math, the private sector deal is minuscule. Half trillion dollars in stimulus money spent. About 600,000 jobs added. Not a good performance so far.
Now "The Factor" wants to be fair to President Obama. And we well understand that every White House in history has spun events to make the folks think things are better than they really are. The spinning is simply politics, but the polls say that most Americans are not buying the spin right now, as Mr. Obama's job approval rating continues to fall. But the president is not about to take the blame, putting it all on the Republicans.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
OBAMA: They have not come up with a single solitary idea that is any different from the policies of George W. Bush, the policies that they had in place for eight years before we had a crisis. They're trying to get you to forget that they drove the car into the ditch!
When you get in your car and you want to go forward, you put it in what? D. When you want to go backwards, what do you do? You put it in R.
(END VIDEO CLIP)
Well, if you look at it without ideology, Mr. Obama is playing two cards. The first is that things are getting better economically. And the second card is that he inherited an impossible situation, so he needs more time to fulfill his promises.
The problem with the president is he doesn't seem to have any other cards to play. If the economy continues to be sluggish, there's nowhere else he can go. I'm sure Mr. Obama is looking forward to his vacation.
===
DISQO
Tim Blair
Greg Gutfield puts his money where his mouth is:
So, the Muslim investors championing the construction of the new mosque near Ground Zero claim it’s all about strengthening the relationship between the Muslim and non-Muslim world.Various names are proposed.
As an American, I believe they have every right to build the mosque – after all, if they buy the land and they follow the law – who can stop them?
Which is, why, in the spirit of outreach, I’ve decided to do the same thing.
I’m announcing tonight, that I am planning to build and open the first gay bar that caters not only to the west, but also Islamic gay men. To best express my sincere desire for dialogue, the bar will be situated next to the mosque …
This is not a joke. I’ve already spoken to a number of investors, who have pledged their support in this bipartisan bid for understanding and tolerance.
(Via Nicole)
===
KEVUN
Tim Blair
Shortly prior to a big announcement at the UN, an intriguing report from the New York-based Inner City Press:
After his loss of power in Australia, Kevin Rudd flew to New York and met with Ban Ki-moon …Indeed, because Rudd’s policies with his UN superfriends would be very different to the policies of his own government.
Inner City Press asked Ban’s spokesperson if the meeting involved the offering of a UN position of any kind. It was just a courtesy call, Inner City Press was repeatedly told – even after Rudd, back in Australia, bragged through his spokesman about the offer of a post.
UN climate staffers and Ban Ki-moon defenders approached Inner City Press to say that what was being offered was not a full UN position, rather membership on a new body – the “High Level Panel on Global Sustainability” …
[Rudd’s] goal seemed to be to show his successor his high international profile, to gain the foreign minister spot. While this now seems unlikely, and Rudd’s project of seeking a Security Council seat may also be abandoned, this morning’s announcement may well involve Kevin Rudd.
If it does, it will represent Ban causing a “major embarrassment” for the current leader of Australia, Julia Gillard.
Why would Ban do this? Sources say that the Obama administration, which could veto a second term for Ban, has urged Ban to find a position for Rudd.One door closes, another opens. A couple of hours ago, Rudd received his appointment:
Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today unveiled a new panel on global sustainability that is tasked with finding ways to lift people out of poverty while tackling climate change and ensuring that economic development is environmentally friendly.Looks like Kevin and Julia might need to have another chat.
“I have asked the Panel to think big,” the Secretary-General told reporters in New York today. “The time for narrow agendas and narrow thinking is over” …
The new body is expected to deliver its final report by the end of next year, ahead of the UN Conference on Sustainable Development scheduled for 2012, as well as annual conferences of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change.
The Panel [to be co-chaired by Finland’s President Tarja Halonen and South African President Jacob Zuma] also comprises Gro Harlem Brundtland, Han Seung-soo, Yukio Hatoyama, Luisa Dias Diogo and Kevin Rudd …
UPDATE. The ABC reports:
Prime Minister Julia Gillard has guaranteed Mr Rudd will be given a senior frontbench position if Labor wins government, but the Opposition has questioned whether Mr Rudd can do both jobs.Other people collect stamps or play with model trains. Kevin’s hobby is saving the planet. Real Julia commences dodging:
Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says Ms Gillard must now explain what role Mr Rudd would play in any future Labor cabinet.
“This is an official appointment to a serious UN panel that is going to involve significant time out of Australia,” he said.
But Mr Rudd has said the position is only part-time and would only involve travel overseas for a few meetings a year.
Prime Minister Julia Gillard this morning dodged a question over Mr Rudd’s appointment and whether the role would leave him a part-time minister in her Government if reelected.If you can dodge a question, you can dodge a decision. Rudd’s appointment continues a trend, as Tony Abbott observes:
It left a ministry in which the next finance, defence or foreign minister could not be named ahead of polling day, he said.It’s Labor’s version of small government: the same number of ministers, but less work.
Mr Abbott said Labor was delivering the prospect of part-time ministers.
Environment Minister Peter Garrett had been one for months, he said.
===
Rudd gets the UN job he used us for
Andrew Bolt
For years I’ve warned that Kevin Rudd was using the prime ministership as a stepping stone to a top job with the United Nations, diverting cash for his personal crusade. Now he’s got there - but, having been sacked as PM, it’s not quite as grand as he intended:
FORMER prime minister Kevin Rudd will join a United Nations panel on global sustainability, the UN confirmed todayTim Blair has more.
===
A boat load following Gillard's whistle
Andrew Bolt
Fifty-seven more votes arrive for Labor:
A boat believed to be carrying asylum seekers has been intercepted by the Royal Australian Navy north-east of Christmas Island.
The vessel is believed to be carrying 57 asylum seekers and two crew.
===
Gillard spins
Andrew Bolt
Julia Gillard put on a very impressive performance on Q&A last night.
Admittedly, it was friendly territory, and she largely escaped hostile questioning. But she exuded warmth, self-deprecation, humor, confidence and a touch of steel. She simply looked prime ministerial, and I think waverers watching would think she deserved a go.
That said, on substance she was weak and at times misleading, whether blaming the Liberals for her own backdown on emissions trading or claiming her “cash for clunkers” would do good. There was zero explanation for not talking with Nauru about a detention centre now, a deceptive suggestion that the Liberals weren’t offering business tax cuts bigger than her own, and an utterly bizarre rebuttal of an audience member’s point that if she thought the Liberals’ parental leave levy on big business would drive up grocery prices, her own huge tax on coal mining would surely drive up power prices.
I think, then, that’s the PM we’ll get - a likeable woman who will successfully spin policies that more often than not won’t work and will cost.
One highlight:
Appearing on the ABC’s Q&A Ms Gillard, in a confident and relaxed performance, was asked how big ‘’a tool’’ Mr Latham was on a scale of one to 10.Mark Latham, the former Labor leader now reporting for 60 Minutes, meanwhile defends confronting Gillard in an aggressive way she’s said crossed a line:
‘’There are some things that can’t be measured,’’ she said.
It was an ‘’absolute nonsense’’ that she should be offended by his behaviour. ‘’I think she’s overreacting.’’…UPDATE
In a savage attack on Nine’s Laurie Oakes, who has strongly criticised his behaviour, Mr Latham said: ‘’Oakes has been absolutely devastated by the fact that in my Latham Diaries I listed the nickname that he was given by the Labor Party, Jabba the Hut, you know the grotesque character from Star Wars.
‘’He’s got a real sensitivity about his morbid obesity and he’s highly, highly sensitive about it.’’
The switch to the “real Julia” seems to involve one welcome change. There’s been no more of those crass beads-and-blankets policies of pure spin that so typified the Rudd regime - and the Hawker-Britton style.
The fake Julia gave us the laughable promise of the 150-strong “citizen’s assembly” to nut out global warming policies, and the pure con of the “cash for clunkers” scheme. But the “real Julia’ is focussing much more on education and is offering at least the promise of small but real reform. The latest example:
TOP teachers will receive cash bonuses worth 10 per cent of their salary under the first national system of performance pay…Everything will depend on the definition of “top teacher”, of course, but the principle is sound. Even better, Gillard can rely on angry teachers unions to promote her merits better than would her friends.
As part of its second wave of school reform, Julia Gillard yesterday outlined a scheme paying the top 10 per cent of teachers, about 25,000 staff, a one-off bonus based on their performance, including their students’ results and involvement in their school.
Based on current salary levels, the bonus payments are worth up to $8100 for senior teachers and about $5400 for beginning teachers.
Reward payments will also be offered to schools - $100,000 for high schools and $75,000 for primary schools - that demonstrate the greatest improvement in their students’ learning and attendance.
Teachers and principals yesterday attacked the bonus payments for teachers and schools, arguing they ran counter to the teamwork philosophy inside schools and would favour high-achieving schools.
UPDATE 2
A member of the Q&A audience smells a rat:
I’m the guy who asked the first question last night about whether or not she has appologised to Rudd. It was the least critical of the three questions I submitted and I was not given the option of choosing to ask something else. I actually thought Tony Jones did a good job of not letting her weasle out of giving a real answer to what I asked but he did spend most of the show nodding in agreement to everything she was saying.I’d also add that the Twitter comments run along the bottom of the screen seemed at first to have been hijacked by the Labor campaign team. Interesting to see among them one supposedly from Latika Bourke, the Fairfax journalist, and another from Leslie Cannold, the far-Left academic.
The crowd was definately slanted to the left with nearly all the questions being weak Dorothy Dixers and the laughter and applause being all out of proportion.
I got a number of death stares from members of the audience on the way out of the studio who clearly weren’t impressed by my lack of adoration for Queen Jooliya. I tend to agree with Andrew in that the more weak-minded will have been impressed by her spin last night. Thankfully the Q&A;audience is small and already committed one way or the other.
===
The poor will be the first to pay for this green folly
Andrew Bolt
Expect more bills for less power as authoritarian green rules strangle the cheapest supply of electricity we have:
VICTORIANS hit with soaring electricity bills could have their power rationed under a smart meter plan.UPDATE
Some companies want to “choke” or restrict amounts delivered to homes to help families cope with costs.
Victorians’ electricity bills have surged in the past two years, racing ahead of inflation.
New meters that are being rolled out to every household and small business can ration power to control debt for individual customers.
A glimpse of our future:
California is in danger of becoming, as historian Kevin Starr has warned, a “failed state.”(Via Instapundit.)
What went so wrong? The answer lies in a change in the nature of progressive politics in California. During the second half of the twentieth century, the state shifted from an older progressivism, which emphasized infrastructure investment and business growth, to a newer version, which views the private sector much the way the Huns viewed a city—as something to be sacked and plundered. The result is two separate California realities: a lucrative one for the wealthy and for government workers, who are largely insulated from economic decline; and a grim one for the private-sector middle and working classes, who are fleeing the state.
===
Laughing like Hell
Andrew Bolt
Look on the bright side. Maybe it’s a sign that the Marieke Hardy/Catherine Deveny barbarian collective is becoming more civilised that Daniel Burt, Deveny’s writing partner, now confesses:
Call it maturity, but I have officially lost the desire to hate f..k Julie BishopDo such savages feel any shame, do you think?
And, yes, Burt - like the other two - has been a protege of The Age and the ABC. The ABC has presented him as a cultural guide to the glories of Western art, while the The Age, impressed by his moral credentials as a global warmist, has published musings such as this:
To flush or not to flush? I don’t know any more. The answer used to be easy: if it’s yellow, flush it. Same if it’s brown. Any other colour - panic, but not before flushing.Personally, I always thought that a fascination with one’s own excreta was the unmistakeable calling card of a toddler, but apparently it’s now the mark of a modern messiah.
UPDATE
ABC Drum writer Catherine Deveny gives advice to Family First candidate Wendy Francis:
Get f.. ed you frigid mole. With a crucifix if possible. And guess what? I can’t be sacked because I don’t have job.Apart from this taxpayer-funded gig at the ABC, of course.
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