Thoughts On Getting On a Train Just As It Leaves

Theory: All train doors should always be at least three-quarters closed, so you can feel like Superman when you force them open to get on. I think this would add a lot of satisfaction to most people's daily commute.

I Don't See the Big Deal About Being Horribly Offensive

So, it turns out blackface is offensive. Who knew? Well, presumably Channel Nine should have, considering they got in shit over Sam Newman appearing in blackface ten years ago... but, hey, maybe they thought, sure, one person in blackface is offensive but a whole bunch of people is fine. Who knows?

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard, currently in the US, has the unenviable job of answering questions about the act. What does she have to say?

"On the serious question of questions of race in Australia, I think we're an open and generous people; we repudiate racism wherever we see it," she said.

Well, that's good to hear. I'm sure she'll-

"I wouldn't be drawn particularly on one skit on Hey Hey It's Saturday, but my recollection watching Hey Hey growing up was that it did have a real sense of humour and I suspect we've seen that on display in recent days."

This must be some new definition of 'repudiate' I'm not familiar with.

You've Got To Be Kidding

Obama Wins Nobel Peace Prize

Seriously, what has he done to earn the honour? "Extraordinary efforts to strengthen international diplomacy and cooperation between peoples"? What efforts? I mean, yes, he's made some nice speeches here and there, and he's not actively hindering diplomacy like his predesessor - but nothing I'd class as 'extraordinary', and his primary focus seems to have been on domestic issues.

I mean, alright, I've never been onboard with the Obama hype, but please, can anyone point to something he's done that justifies this award?

(My choice? I was betting on Morgan Tsvangirai)