Author Archives: Mark Christensen

Silence

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Mark Christensen

Maureen Dowd has written a fine piece in the New York Times about silence, lamenting its loss to us moderns. She’s kinda right and kinda not. You can’t actually lose silence, only shut it out, displace it with noise.  Nor … Continue reading →

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Banker Bashing

Posted on October 30, 2011 by Mark Christensen

Enough whining about the bankers, already.  Thomas L. Friedman of the New York Times is the latest, with his “Did You Hear the One About the Bankers“. There is nothing new here, merely more unreasoned frustration at not being able … Continue reading →

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Media diversity straw man

Posted on September 15, 2011 by Mark Christensen

Julia Gillard and Stephen Conroy have done the chattering classes a favour by limiting the scope of the media inquiry. Those who don’t like News Ltd media need a reason to impose their will, so they come up with the … Continue reading →

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Choice 9/11 articles

Posted on September 13, 2011 by Mark Christensen

I think this from author Paul Theroux is the best ten-year-9/11 article I have seen. I can also suggest this from James Fallows of The Atlantic. It highlights the self-deception regarding our fight against Terrorism. We say 9/11 didn’t change anything and … Continue reading →

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MAD airport regulation

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Mark Christensen

The just-released Productivity Commission draft report on airport services is a fascinating read. After a decade of transitioning to genuine commercial negotiation, it seems all parties, perhaps even the regulator, are loathed to return to heavy-handed regulation. Sure, there’s plenty … Continue reading →

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Breivik and 9/11

Posted on September 7, 2011 by Mark Christensen

You can’t help but feel our response to human atrocity is a profound test of some kind, part of a deeper purpose, albeit one that continues to be misapprehended in an unknown and surely undeserved way. What is recognized is … Continue reading →

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Governments aren’t virtuous, people are (or aren’t)

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Mark Christensen

David Brooks is an excellent columnist, but not good enough to avoid the language trap that besets Western liberal democracy. His recent New York Times article, The Vigorous Virtues, rightly argues the Republicans have a case when it comes to … Continue reading →

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Brookvale brawl and Brand NRL

Posted on September 2, 2011 by Mark Christensen

Every business needs to understand its product. Des Hasler and the Manly Sea Eagles know what they are selling, the NRL doesn’t, or at least won’t admit it. Like all professional sport, rugby league is a showcase of talent, an … Continue reading →

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Dealing with Rick Perry

Posted on September 1, 2011 by Mark Christensen

Rick Perry, Republican presidential hopeful, is on the rise and many are concerned. Christopher Hitchens, applying his usual wit and wordpower in a recent Slate article, points out the “sheer wickedness and stupidity” of some of Perry’s claims, like the Bible … Continue reading →

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High Court and the Malaysian solution

Posted on August 31, 2011 by Mark Christensen

The drama created by the High Court decision on the Government’s “Malaysian solution” for asylum seekers highlights the troubling bind Western nations have got themselves into. Many of those pushing the successful legal challenge were concerned to “protect” asylum seekers … Continue reading →

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