ABC Chairman Maurice Newman made a few comments yesterday that may go a long way to explaining some of the pressures editors and producers at the public broadcaster may be under – specifically on the issue of anthropogenic global warming (AGW).

This collective censorious approach succeeded in suppressing contrary views in the mainstream media, despite the fact that a growing number of distinguished scientists were challenging the conventional wisdom with alternative theories and peer reviewed research.

While claiming some of his best friends were journalists, Newman attacked the profession for uncritical group thinking on a range of issues (Enron, tech meltdown and the GFC) and further outing himself – with language that could only be described as that of climate skepticism.

Of course Newman is welcome to hold whatever views he wishes, that is not the issue. Read more »

Senate obstructionism as a political theme remains fairly unexplored under this Government, for a couple of reasons.  We’re all innately sceptical of Governments’ insistence that the Senate quit amending or blocking their measures.  After all, we saw what happened when the Howard Government, in a splendid example of being careful what you wish for, got a Senate majority. And if we put aside 2004, voters appear happy with the idea of the Senate acting as a brake on executive power.

But there must by definition be a line somewhere between acting as a responsible check and improving legislation, and outright obstructionism. The idea of a government “not being allowed to govern”, with its hints of 1975, is a potentially powerful one if a Government is popular – which this one still remains. Read more »

A German aristocrat of my acquaintance has figured out that the price he will be paid for the output of a solar panel is so high compared with the price he will pay for his input of normal electricity, that he is thinking of rigging up powerful arc lamps to shine on solar panels on his extensive roof.

(HT: Bishop Hill)

Yesterday on Insiders Chris Uhlmann suggested that the Howard government had cut hospital spending. Joe Hockey denied that allegation saying that the States had increased spending over and above the Commonwealth spend, leaving Uhlmann mumbling something about spending share.

Today Paul Sheehan has this comment.

The big lie, repeated again and again, is that the Howard government stripped a billion dollars out of the health system. This claim cannot withstand scrutiny. Any government minister who repeats this mantra is lying. Read more »

It’s always nice to get a name for something that is rummaging round in one’s mind.  Autoantonymy has – believe it or not been doing that in my tiny brain for many years.  So I’m greatful to the great Three Quarks website for giving me the word (and grateful to Ingolf for telling us all about Three Quarks many moons ago).

As explained on the site: Read more »