Passion for same-sex marriage a problem for Labor
THE Labor Party comes to next weekend's national conference with a political passion for same-sex marriage far removed from its low priority with the public and fixated by the false polemic of "marriage equality".

It's all about the children, not selfish adults
Ethicist Margaret Somerville examines the clash between upholding the human rights of children to know and be raised by their biological parents, and the claims of homosexual adults wanting same-sex marriage.(The Australian, July 23, 2011)

Can the Middle Class Be Saved?
Don Peck, features editor of The Atlantic magazine, examines the growing disparity of wealth in America, the shrinking middle class and the social implications for families and the culture. (The Atlantic, September, 2011)

Green turns to red along the boulevard of broken dreams
With the US economy stagnating and unemployment high, the promise that new clean-energy sources that would create new green jobs has not eventuated, reports David Brooks from the New York Times. (Sydney Morning Herald, September 7, 2011)

Sovereign wealth fund will secure our future
Josh Frydenberg argues that some of the windfall gains from the mining boom should go into an Australian sovereign wealth funds and invested for the future benefit of the nation. The Australian (September 3, 2011)

Calls for more vigorous inspections after Kiwi apples rejected
From the first 11 consignments of NZ apples to Australia, one has already been rejected because of contamination that would risk fire blight infecting the Australian apple and pear industry. (ABC rural news 31/08/2011)

The Manufacturing Imperative
A balance between manufacturing and other sectors is needed in Western economies to avoid/overcome economic underperformance, widening inequality, and divisive politics, says Dani Rodrik, Professor of International Political Economy at Harvard University (Project Syndicate, August 10, 2011).

European 'No-Go' Zones for Non-Muslims Proliferating: "Occupation Without Tanks or Soldiers" :: Hudson New York
Islamic extremists are stepping up the creation of "no-go" areas in European cities that are off-limits to non-Muslims.

US consumers can't buy out of this crisis | The Australian
The Persian Jewish American economist rose to fame in the wake of the global financial crisis for having predicted the crisis. In September 2006 Roubini told the International Monetary Fund that "the US was likely to face a once-in-a-lifetime housing bust, an oil shock, sharply declining consumer confidence and, ultimately, a deep recession".

Labor looks at conscience vote to defuse same-sex marriage split | The Australian
ALP factional leaders are poised to strike a deal to declare the vexed issue of same-sex marriage a conscience vote in order to defuse a potential brawl on the floor of December's national conference.