In his book, Propaganda, published in 1928, Edward Bernays wrote: "The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country."

They're grown men, the President and the Emir. So it is inevitable that over a dinner or perhaps in a frank chat some time soon, the US President and his Qatari counterpart will swap notes on the unfolding, or the unravelling, of the Arab Spring.

What a night of nights it must have been last May: the music, the champagne, the chatter and laughter, the bursts of applause. See the merry throng of gentlemen elegant in best black tie, the ladies soignee in satins and silks, a soft light sparkling on silver and pearls, on diamonds and gold.

from Crikey ….

Devine spin: inside the Church PR machine - and why Pell must go

Spy drones used in American skies: FBI

The above billboard was arranged by the Australian Friends of Palestine Association - www.afopa.com.au) & is now displayed at the following locations in Adelaide:

So just in case anyone wasn’t sure, a major study of almost 12,000 scientific papers on global warming between 1991 and 2011 finds less than one per cent disagree that humans are the main cause.

from the shovel ….

Since leaving office four years ago, former US President George W Bush has devoted much of his time to painting.

The non-violent protest inspired by the performance artist Erdem Gündüz spread across Turkey as it was imitated by hundreds in towns and cities. 

First they came for my neighbour's lands, 

The corporate watchdog will face a Senate inquiry into its performance that is likely to embroil the Commonwealth Bank and raise questions about the effectiveness of new financial reforms.