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writer, singer, webwrangler, blogger, comedy tragic | about.me/vivsmythe

• Media Circus: the “to no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay justice” edition

  By tigtog on 2015-06-16 • ( 7 )

  

  So this week marks a big round number anniversary of the signing of the Magna Carta. I’m expecting our Prime Minister will say something especially cringeworthy to mark the occasion.

  What news items have caught your interest lately?

• Vale Joan Kirner 1938-2015

  By tigtog on 2015-06-02 • ( 1 )

  

  Australia’s first female premier, 1990-92 in Victoria, has died aged 76.

• Today in Things One Never Expected To Ever Say To A Stranger

  By tigtog on 2015-05-19 • ( 5 )

  

  Just come up to the rooftop. I’ll be the only middle-aged woman up there wearing a scarf reminiscent of Tom Baker in Doctor Who.

• Otterday! And Open Thread

  By tigtog on 2015-05-09 • ( 17 )

  

  It’s been a while since our last Open Thread, and I couldn’t let this headline pass without sharing it here: Otter at Red River Zoo Destroys OtterBox-Protected Phone

  Please feel free to use this thread to natter about anything your heart desires.

• Media Circus: Vegemite Chocolate edition

  By tigtog on 2015-05-08 • ( 3 )

  

  The very idea is undoubtedly an Abomination unto Nuggan, and Ed Milliband would probably make a mess of eating any. Bill Shorten will say something graceless, and the teaser for the SBS documentary will be epic.

  What’s piqued your media interests lately?

• Friday Hoyden: Amy Schumer on Showbiz Realities for Older Women

  By tigtog on 2015-04-24

  

  A sketch from this week’s Inside Amy Schumer: Amy stumbles upon a group of her show-business heroes celebrating a rite of passage – for one of them this is her Last F**kable Day (transcript included).

• Media Circus: Lest We Forget edition

  By tigtog on 2015-04-23 • ( 12 )

  

  The enduring lesson I learnt about ANZAC Day from the family members who served in either/both World Wars is that political incompetence costs lives, and that the sacrifices made by the dead are best honoured by the rest of us keeping a really close eye on our political class. I wish our mainstream media understood this ongoing need for vigilance better right now.

  What’s piqued your media interests lately?

• Quickhit: Another Woman Appointed To High Court

  By tigtog on 2015-04-15 • ( 1 )

  

  New High Court judge Michelle Gordon lauded as a ‘fabulous’ lawyer and jurist: her appointment will keep both the state balance and the gender balance stable within the High Court.

• Media Circus: No Vaccination No Benefits edition

  By tigtog on 2015-04-13 • ( 19 )

  

  The Australian government has announced that it intends to stop welfare payments to parents who refuse to vaccinate their children.

  I have some reservations about this policy.

• Vale Richie Benaud

  By tigtog on 2015-04-10 • ( 1 )

  

  I’m an occasional cricket fan rather than a diehard, but Richie Benaud’s commentary was always one of the best reasons to tune in. I was never entirely convinced that cricket was as essential to the concept of Western civilisation as Benaud seemed to believe, but he made me believe there might be something there.