I have considerable regard for the analytical skills of Peter van Onselen as a political commentator, but do sometimes feel he misses the bigger picture. His Op-Ed in today’s Oz is a classic example.

I’m on hols so I’m not reading the news on a regular basis. Too damn busy doing things I want to do, as opposed to the usual, things I have to do. Work. Read into that what you will.

“The biggest challenge now is the sport marketing itself properly. We don’t have a major fast-moving consumer good in the field; NASCAR does. We don’t have a major financial player in the field; NASCAR does.”

So says V8 Supercar driver manager, Dale Rodgers in the latest issue of V8X magazine.

An excellent summary of the realities of Obama's Presidency, and from none other than the Poison Dwarf. Wonders will never cease!

This is an absolutely bizarre story, but strangely not at all out of place with American culture. Openly admitted to by the company concerned, Trijcon Inc.  apparently the inscriptions constitute the proselytising of religion by the US Military, which is constitutionally forbidden. Thing is, the US Military wasn't aware, or if it was, deliberately defied constitutional law. Something that I find really left field, and the truly bizarre part of the scenario.

Crusade?? Well, depends on when this bunch of corporate bible-bashers decided to start practicing this preaching through the point of a gun. Was it around the same time as the awarding of the US$660m defence contract? Surely, someone at the military end would have noticed, asked what the colon meant in the middle of a serial number? Serials aren't normally punctuated. Did anyone check, or is the end product accepted on delivery based on QA at the manufacturers end? Do all weapon sights from this manufacturer carry these inscriptions, or only those destined for use in Islamic theatres? One wonders why GWB didn't legislate for the Cross of St John to be emblazoned on all US military uniforms.

As if that isn’t preposterous enough for you, consider this. Audio bibles you can even hear in space!!! Bugger the food, water & medical supplies, or the financial where-with-all needed to get those essentials into the disaster zone. What about the eternal souls of those starving or dying of thirst & exposure? “Gahd sinds yoo hiz lurve!” A man may not live by bread alone, but he sure as hell can’t survive on fresh air & esoteric technology.

I know, Benjamin. Staggers my imagination as well!

So, the inevitable has occurred. A prize electoral seat - an historically Democrat seat - has fallen to a Republican contender in Massachsetts.

To further utilise the analogy fostered by a friend on another site, it would appear Captain Hypocrite, of the good ship 'Lost Cause' is steering his vessel through the murky cultural waters of Australian society by observing where he's been.

For 25 years, the Sydney MP secretly believed he fathered a son with his university girlfriend and has previously conceded he is a “pretty lousy role model” when it comes to avoiding pre-marital sex.

Perhaps we should rename him, Asisay Notasido? On a serious note, surely the man doesn't expect any rational Australian to (a) take him seriously; and (b) believe he has anything of genuine note for Australians as an alternative PM? I mean to say, what an outstanding embarrassment this man - this failed priest - must surely be to his party with his 19th century morals and bigoted attitudes. I wonder if he honestly believes there are women in today's society who are unwittingly opening their legs purely & simply because they happen to be taking the contraceptive pill?

The man is a fool, and yet another screamingly frightening example of Emerson's conservatism. "Conservatism makes no poetry, breathes no prayer, has no invention; it is all memory."

I'm afraid.....actually, no, I'm not going to be apologetic, the woman's a complete dill. I wholeheartedly agree with the first commenter to Albrechtsen's Op-Ed in today's OZ.

It should be well understood by those who read here that I take, at best, a passing interest in American politics. That nation's political system is as far from our own as bile is from bouillon.

Barack Obama has met with his detractors (note: I’ve not used the descriptor, ‘enemies’) in an open discussion format. This is a very clever tactic which requires Republicans to not simply oppose for opposition’s sake. It requires them to engage, present alternatives and have those alternatives debated, openly and honestly. Kudos to the man, but he cannot stop at one.