JBW » Ruminations Blog

How will history judge John Howard?

13th March 2003

‘God bless the Civil Service, The nation’s saving grace, While we expect democracy, They’re laughing in our face’
crooned Billy Bragg in reference to the British civil service going public on matters of conscience.

The price of oil

3rd March 2003

The Economist published an article last week entitled Bubbling up that presents a pretty gloomy outlook for the world economy.

There’s a first time for everything …

28th February 2003

I read today that Dr Mahathir has been critical of John Howard and Australia’s position on Iraq. It’s a bit of a worry when I share similar views to a guy whose record on human rights can hardly be described as exemplary. Mahathir’s anti-Western stance is legendary, of course, with Aussie-bashing among his favourite pastimes. For this reason, his views are likely to be shrugged off by Howard, Downer et al. On this occasion, however, Asia’s most famous recalcitrant has got it right IMHO.