THE DEAL IS AS ARTLESS AS THE DEALER
The end of the shooting in Iran should have cleared the confusion and skewed judgement of the “fog of war”. Instead, it’s been replaced by the fog of the catchall label “deal”.… Read the rest
WHAT WE NEED IS A FIFA REFEREE
The historical claim that the FIFA World Cup presents “…an opportunity to foster peace and goodwill among competing nations” is, unfortunately, more lofty ideal than reality. But it does have a useful application in the foul-beset field of diplomatic gamesmanship — Red and Yellow cards.… Read the rest
“60 MINUTES” REVEALS WHAT THIN SKIN COVERS
Among other things, the travesty that has been unfolding at CBS’s storied and incomparable 60 Minutes, has led me to conclude this: “The thinner the skin, the more emaciated the intellect and character of the one wearing it.”… Read the rest
TO FRIENDS ABSENT BUT NOT FORGOTTEN
In his memoir “Night”, the author Elie Weisel wrote: “To forget the dead would be akin to killing them a second time.” As you read this, glasses have been, or are being raised to ensure that does not happen to Paul Douglas and James Brolan.… Read the rest
IF ONLY THE IDIOTS HAD LEARNED AN IDIOM
The past week has led me to the conclusion that the world would be a lot safer and less complicated if the parents of a select few of the world’s current idiot leaders had taught them the idiom: “What’s good for the goose is good for the gander”,… Read the rest
THE BRUTAL CONUNDRUM THAT IS STUPIDITY
One of the most perplexing constancies of the modern world is that the stupid never realise they are and the intelligent worry too much about appearing condescending to tell them.… Read the rest
THE MURDEROUS MYTH OF MILITARY MIGHT
I’ve reported on wars spurred by ideology, racism, religion, territorial claims and resources. Their common denominator was leaders who lacked the wisdom and courage to choose compromise over delusions of the triumph of arms. Cue the current Middle East imbroglio.… Read the rest
WHAT THE ZEROES IN BILLIONAIRE ADD UP TO
One billionaire was added to the world every day for the past year. The interruption to fertiliser supplies due to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could subtract up to 10 billion meals across the world every week. How’s that for a juxtaposition?… Read the rest
NELSON’S CONVENIENT EYE WON’T WORK
In 1801, British Admiral Lord Nelson boldly put a telescope to his blind eye to ignore an order. It spawned the phrase ”turning a blind eye”, and resulted in an epic victory. Today, what’s also known as “a Nelson eye“ is a craven act, regenerating epic disasters.… Read the rest
DIVINE RIGHT IS A PROBLEM NOT A PANACEA
History is replete with incontrovertible evidence that nothing is more inimical to peace than self-professed true believers. So if déjà vu isn’t your favourite sensation, it’s time for even atheists to say God spare us from them. Please.… Read the rest