Following the execution of Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran in Indonesia on Wednesday, 29 April 2015, Australia has recalled its ambassador Paul Grigson from Indonesia. While some commentary has suggested such a political move is unprecedented, this is not wholly true. Talking to the 7.30 Report, former Australian ambassador Philip Flood noted that such a move has occurred twice before: “It’s unprecedented for us to recall an ambassador from Indonesia. We’ve done it twice, recalling an ambassador. We did it in the case of French nuclear tests in the Pacific and it was hardly noticed at all. We did it in the case of Fiji and that really did more damage to us than it did to Fiji. I hope that the ambassador’s only recalled for a short time.” Whether this has any real political clout or diplomatic impact remains to be seen. It is, however, a rather thorny issue overall. ...

In the upcoming Adam Sandler movie The Ridiculous Six, Native American (or “Indian”) actors and a cultural advisor have walked off the New Mexico set in protest. A general disrespectfulness of Native American culture, including bad jokes and character names such as Beaver’s Breath and No Bra, have been cited as the reasons. Further that the comedy is unfunny, racist and only serves the worn out stereotypes of “Hollywood Indians” from yesteryear, along with grossly misrepresenting the Apache culture. That it’s an Adam Sandler and is a direct-to-streaming movie made for Netflix may be enough to say it all. Warner Bros. dropped the film months ago. Plus the film’s cast is said to also include Jon Lovitz and Vanilla Ice… Adam Sandler in a movie as a big drawcard, hasn’t been something that’s happened in a very long while. Yet coupled with his Happy Madison Productions, Adam Sandler continues to ...

It’s happening again. Anthony Mundine is claiming he’s Australia’s greatest all-round athlete. He’s at it again because it’s not the first time he has made such a claim. Or boast, if preferred. It probably won’t be the last time either. After effectively ruining the phrase of being “the man” for at least one generation, the former rugby league player and now current world title holding boxer, the WBC Silver Super Welterweight Champion, Anthony “The Man” Mundine is talking up his prowess. “There’s no man that has done what I’ve done and crossed over sports like I have,” says the 39-year-old Mundine. To his credit, he has successfully crossed from rugby league to be a world class boxer. It’s not like he’s a John Hopoate here. Although given Mundine’s mouth, where he can also go put his finger may not be that different for some boxing fans. For a boxer to ...

25th April 2015, Anzac Day. The pre-dawn world is dark. No hint of the sun yet to rise somewhere to the East. There’s a certain silence to it all. Rather fitting given the solemnity of the day. People move about the streets. More than normal in a time which is normally the preserve of the few early risers and late workers. Hurriedly they move and file in. Cram into and close ranks about the memorial site. Those of age and those distinguished are given seats. Most stand, almost still. In the dark waiting. The odd child stirs, shifts and murmurs. Some are placed atop shoulders to better see in the gloom. Others are held closer. Urged into silence. Each here is a part of the centenary of Anzac Day. That we remember those before us is the request. That we do not repeat past mistakes is understood and need not ...

From messianic rocker to trout pouting duck-faced selfie taker, Jared Leto’s transformation into the Joker for Suicide Squad hasn’t exactly been outside of the limelight. Now, it appears the journey to whatever side it is, is now complete. You’ll get to see it soon enough. Don’t be so predictable. Few people doubt Leto’s acting chops. Yet his more notable roles have tended to focus on him being the androgynous pretty boy, or going that step farther as was the case in Dallas Buyers Club. The running commentary from both Leto and others regarding his role as the Joker has filled in the gaps along the way. His comments about aiming to put on some muscle for the Suicide Squad movie, given his shirtless pose, tend to make sense. In a wiry and lithe sort of way. Looking at the photo though, where exactly the “majestic” nature of the Joker is to ...

Cassey Ho, the Blogilates fitness instructor, recently made a YouTube video (shown below) called The “Perfect” Body, aimed at tackling body image shaming and cyber bullying. In it, and her accompanying blog post, she addresses negative comments she has received, such as: “you shouldn’t give advice when you’re so fat” “trainer?…really? tone up the belly fat and love handles” “Why do all trainers have a 6-pack but not you?” “take your career seriously and lose some weight” “her body is so pudgy. try doing some crunches” “no offense but you have no butt” “you should suck it in more” These are the ineloquent seven mentioned in the video, and are likely but a few of the negative comments received. Cassey requests that the video is shown, where she begins to Photoshop her body to be “perfect” in response to the various comments and idealised notions of beauty. Asking at the end: ...

The Australian Government plans to stop some welfare payments for those parents who do not vaccinate their children. Meaning they are no longer likely to receive any childcare benefit or rebate, nor receive the Family Tax Benefit A end of year supplement. The policy is expected to become effective from 1 January 2016. It is also now to apply to those whom formerly claimed religious exemption from childhood vaccines, such as the Christian Scientists. This apparently closes the exemption loophole which permitted those not vaccinating their children on religious grounds; and the vaccination exemption loophole is being ever tightened elsewhere. For a religion to gain an accepted exemption from childhood vaccinations, the religion’s governing body would need to formally apply and have its objections approved by the Government. Minister for Social Services, Scott Morrison, has stated: “There are no mainstream religions who have such objections registered.” Further noting that the ...

Paddle Your Own Kayak A 43-year-old Japanese artist, Megumi Igarashi, has recently faced trial, in part for making a kayak. Wait for it, modelled on her vagina. It’s a bizarre case of not knowing which is weirder: getting charged or making the kayak itself. Megumi Igarashi, who also uses the artistic moniker Rokudenashiko, was initially arrested in July last year, and arrested again in December 2014. The arrests related to her offering digital details to people to 3D print her vagina in exchange for donations to help fund her vagina kayak artwork. Though there was public outcry following the initial arrest about her right to the freedom of expression; the second arrest pertained to the Japanese penal code and public obscenity laws. Her defence counsel is quoted as saying: “Even if it were constitutional, the defendant’s work is not a precise reproduction of the vulva and does not cause sexual ...

The Australian Tax Office (ATO), looking to inspire those Australians with multiple superannuation accounts to amalgamate them into the one account has turned to BuzzFeed for advertising purposes. Apparently the American company is much better suited to the role than an Australian company, because of, well that’s not actually know beyond citing various buzzwords. And it’s clearly but a small leap of faith to go from buzzwords to BuzzFeed. Maybe it’s because Australia is great at primary production; but value adding and services are another matter. The intention is to target those younger Australians, aged 18-34, who likely have multiple (and probably lost) superannuation accounts. Owing to the joys of casual employment and the desire to add to, and maybe complete, their nametag collection. This target demographic are supposedly more likely to be receptive to BuzzFeed’s less-than-serious approach to reporting. Apparently this fun will translate into each of them consolidating ...

The Beach, Is Vying for territory, it’s nothing new. Animals do it. Humans do it, even if it’s often wrapped up in ownership and contract law. Yet it extends beyond that, whether it be the notion of personal space or that specific people have the right to a space. Which leads to the argument of whether beaches, or at least some of them, should be for locals only. For Locals The argument for beaches for locals only, is along the lines of that locals tend to respect their environment more than the tourists who will do things such as leave their rubbish on the beach, or may come in and clean out almost the entire rock platform of its shellfish in one day. In contrast with some of the locals who will actively pick up the rubbish and clean up the beach, along with conserving the environment. Though this is only ...