from the Centre for American Progress …..

‘"It's hard for me, living in this beautiful White House, to give you an assessment, firsthand assessment. I haven't been there," said Bush, who has visited Baghdad's Green Zone, headquarters for US military and the Iraqi government, and the Baghdad airport but has not travelled beyond.’

Private Members’ Business - Mr David Hicks

Ms VAMVAKINOU (Calwell) (4.23 pm)—I move: That the House:

‘Humankind is doing more things, faster, across a greater space than ever before, producing changes of a size and speed never seen before.

Last night I had the strangest dream
The nations grouped to say
The leaders of the War Of Lies
shall not speak here today.
Put them into cells until
the world can make amends
Let those who work out what to do
be bonded as good friends

Perhaps some common goals may come
and thinking minds converge
while the gluttons of war go hungry
as they sing their evil dirge
Peace may be within our reach
within our heart and mind
But while these bastards rule the war
what hope can have mankind?

‘Wearing hats shaped like smokestacks and carrying signs that said, "Coal Investments Cook the Climate," a group known as Billionaires for Coal raised awareness last week about the plans by TXU, a Dallas-based utility company, to build 11-new pulverized coal-fired power plants in Texas.

‘The Howard Government will be remembered for progressive gun control in the aftermath of the Port Arthur massacre, helping to liberate East Timor from Indonesia, drawing Australia into the Iraq morass, the expansion of Federal control (particularly in the area of WorkChoices), balaclavas on the wharves, attacks on the welfare state (particularly its crackdown on single parents, disability support pensioners and unemployed people), repressive treatment of asylum seekers arriving without visas, paternal intervention in Indigenous affairs, neg

from the ABC …..

Turnbull blasts 'irresponsible' whaling protesters

from the new York Times …..

Novak Says Libby Didn't Leak Agent's Name to Him

By David Stout

from our ABC …..

Downer defends Howard's Obama attack

Downer raises Hicks case with US