Bread And Circuses

The delightful Mr Tim Blair pointed us to Mr Mark Steyn esquire who observed the obscenity of the media and those of the left of politics who are enabling - indeed celebrating - the poor, pathetic Cindy Sheehan's slide into madness.

The media circus surrounding 'Mother' Sheehan, the grief-deranged American anti-war protestor camped outside US President Bush's ranch, reminded Nicky and I of the classic 1951 film Ace In The Hole (AKA for British and Australian viewers The Big Carnival).

In it, Kirk Douglas played a cynical and ambitious reporter who turned the tragic event of a man trapped in a mine collapse into a profit making media circus.

In other news, with thanks to the ever-thoughtful Special Sauce for stepping in as the Public Defender in our latest installment of Law & Order Special Investigations Unit, Queensland's Crime and Misconduct Commission is desperately pleading lack of jurisdiction regarding its relative impotence with regard to scandalous allegations of corruption surrounding the Gold Coast City Council.

International readers may possibly recognise the name of Ron Clarke, who is the mayor of the Gold Coast. Cr Clarke is indeed the same Ron Clarke (just a bit older) who staggered into an Olympic stadium and into sports history at the end of a gruelling marathon in the 1960s. However, Clarke's race may now be run with allegations that real estate developers donated to election campaigns in return for favourable planning approvals surrounding the Queensland local government body he heads, elected less than two years ago.

With more than another two years left to run on his Mayorality, Cr Clarke has already given his blessing to Deputy Mayor David Power as his heir and successor to the Local Top Job. However, he too may face an uphill run to win the public's trust in 2008, being repeatedly named in media reports alongside increasingly embattled accolyte Cr Grant Pforr.

Cocktail of the Weak
Public Open Space

1/4 cup of water
1 tablespoon of Midori

Only kidding!

Power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely - Lord Acton (19th century British philosopher)

Absolut Power
Ingredients:
3.0 cubes Ice
1.0 part Lemonade
2.0 parts Peach Schnapps
1.0 part Raspberry Liqueur (strawberry liqueur for a sweeter taste)
2.0 parts Absolut Vodka
Mixing instructions:
Stir in a high ball glass and have fun (just as we have been having ::grin::)

Note: Nicky says that Absolut Vodka should not be adulterated, so other vodka should be used instead. Nicky is very much hoping this cocktail has a corrupting influence...

-- Nora

I believe it already has...

-- Nick