Vol 34 No 15

29 July 2024

AUSTRALIA

In search of lost liberalism
- Russell Blackford
- 09 August 2024
2 Comments
Once the backbone of Western democracy, the philosophy championing free speech, tolerance, and civil political discourse is often reviled by those on both the Left and Right. In our desire for justice and meaning, is there a need to rediscover the principles that have long fostered human flourishing?
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AUSTRALIA

The Gospel according to ScoMo
- Michael McGirr
- 09 August 2024
6 Comments
As far as religion goes, Plans for Your Good is right out there, with a bible quote for every decision in the life of a prime minister. But Morrison never notices any arguments against the existence of God or explains why he believes. Everything in life confirms what he believes already.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

The reinvention of Blanche DuBois
- Eddie Hampson
- 08 August 2024
2 Comments
Blanche DuBois is a character defined by her fragility, and her descent into madness is a harrowing testament to the pressures of a society that offers little mercy to women. But when Blanche is portrayed as a figure of power and defiance, she lacks the vulnerability of her predecessors and the logic of her descent into ‘madness’ isn’t as clean-cut.
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INTERNATIONAL

Courting justice for Palestine
- Andrew Hamilton
- 08 August 2024
3 Comments
The International Court of Justice (ICJ) recently ruled that Israel’s occupation of Palestinian territories had violated international law by encouraging settlements on occupied land. While the judgment imposes legal obligations, it does not consider how they might be met.
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AUSTRALIA

The two worlds of Australian housing
- Mark Gaetani
- 08 August 2024
5 Comments
The Parliamentary Budget Office has unveiled the staggering cost of Australia's negative gearing and capital gains tax policies. As the housing affordability crisis deepens, critics question whether politicians' personal interests are hampering reform in a nation where one in five taxpayers owns investment property.
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INTERNATIONAL

Olympic ceremonies as liturgies
- Juliette Hughes
- 07 August 2024
You have to admit, the French have form for mocking religion. But with their peculiar take on the Lord's Supper with all its Dionysian excess, the colourfully irreverent opening ceremony left many asking: has Paris 2024 turned the Olympics into a ritual of performative ethics?
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INTERNATIONAL

Costly pageantry: The Olympics and the blank cheque syndrome
- Binoy Kampmark
- 05 August 2024
The pain cities endure while hosting large sporting events like the Olympics has proved considerable. They exert a remarkable strain on budgets, disrupt commerce, compromise valuable real estate, inflict environmental harm, and often result in evictions and displacements of vulnerable residents.
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INTERNATIONAL

Sports but make it art
- Michael McVeigh
- 05 August 2024
1 Comment
Imagine a universe where the arts, rather than sport, gets all the money and attention from the masses. But we'd be mistaken if we it tried to set up art and sport as opposite rather than complementary pursuits.
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AUSTRALIA

Closing doors on the homeless
- Jennifer McVeigh
- 05 August 2024
With soaring housing costs and dwindling support services, homelessness is no longer just a problem for the marginalised – it's ensnaring the elderly and working poor. In the current housing crisis, homelessness services are overwhelmed, and sadly cannot respond to the increased demand.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

The Desert Knows Her Name
- Gillian Bouras
- 02 August 2024
Conforming and belonging to a genre, in this case, ‘post-colonial, outback noir eco-fiction’, does not mean that a novel is not worthy. With rich symbolism and lyrical prose, Hills challenges readers to confront uncomfortable truths about Australian history, land ownership, and the inescapable consequences of past actions.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Stephanie Alexander and the family table
- Claire Heaney
- 02 August 2024
When Stephanie Alexander released the immensely popular The Cook’s Companion in 1996, she became a literal household name. The reason for her success lies perhaps in the knowledge that the true essence of cooking lies not in perfection, but in the act of coming together.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

Strangers on a train
- Julie Perrin
- 01 August 2024
2 Comments
A commuter's mundane journey turns surreal as eccentric passengers create an impromptu human orchestra. From football fanatics and excited teens to brooding tradies, this slice-of-life drama reveals the hidden beauty in everyday encounters.
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RELIGION

Passing generation of Vatican II clergy
- John Warhurst
- 01 August 2024
14 Comments
In a troubling sign for Catholic reform in Australia, the National Council of Priests faces a dire membership crisis. Founded in 1970 to embody Vatican II's spirit, the organization now struggles to attract younger clergy. This decline mirrors broader challenges in the Church and may imperil efforts toward synodality and renewal.
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INTERNATIONAL

Harris v. Trump: The view from Canberra
- James Massola
- 31 July 2024
3 Comments
The November election is shaping up to be a pivotal moment for Australia. With either Kamala Harris or Donald Trump at the helm of the United States, Australia could be affected in unexpected ways, from how we deal with China to trade policies and our relationships in the Asia-Pacific region.
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AUSTRALIA

On the buses
- Michele Frankeni
- 30 July 2024
From the colorful cast of characters to the unexpected moments of human connection with local multicultural, multi-ethnic communities, the humble bus ride offers a surprising window into the soul of a city and can be a source of joy if you let it.
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ARTS AND CULTURE

The past is prologue: Lewis Lapham’s enduring editorial vision
- Warwick McFadyen
- 30 July 2024
2 Comments
Lewis Lapham's work was a rigorous autopsy of American culture, exposing the chasm between our pretensions and our realities. With a historian’s depth and a satirist’s wit, he illuminated the follies that sustain our collective delusions.
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RELIGION

Vatican document focuses on process, not problems
- Bill Uren
- 30 July 2024
7 Comments
The Vatican's new Instrumentum Laboris outlines the path forward for the Synod on Synodality, but with a heavy emphasis on process over substance. While it acknowledges the need for greater women's involvement, it firmly reinforces the authority of the Pope and bishops, raising questions about the true potential for change.
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RELIGION

Ignatius and the art of friendship
- Andrew Hamilton
- 30 July 2024
5 Comments
In an age marked by increasing tribalism, Ignatius Loyola offers a counterintuitive lens through which to examine the nature of human connection. Renowned as a strict disciplinarian, Loyola is often cast as a distant, austere figure. Yet, beneath his armor of religious rigor lies a nuanced and rich understanding of friendship.
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Vol 34 No 15