Latest Articles
From a perspective of some eighty years it is possible to misunderstand or underestimate the intensity of the fears—but also the hopes and aspirations—of the British people as they faced up to another colossal existential challenge, less than a full generation after what, it was now suddenly clear, had only been the first world war.
Sep 10 2024
11 mins
The Republican presidential contender is an acquired taste. Given the alternative, it's a taste persnickety conservatives should make the effort to acquire
Sep 09 2024
4 mins
Of Aeroplanes and Stable Doors
A few weeks ago my wife flew back to Sydney after attending the funeral of her aunt, a much-loved schoolteacher who had died at the age of 103. At Brisbane airport she was subjected to a security check worthy of an 18 year old Muslim enroute to Syria. The (female) security guard first searched in her bun, demanding that her long hair be unravelled. “What are you looking for?” she was asked. “Drugs” was the answer.
Next, she was asked to take off her shoes. Not to inspect the footwear, but to check on the soles of her feet.
My wife carries a signed medical card authenticating that she has a knee replacement which is certain to set off the alarms, but this is routinely ignored. Indeed it seems to trigger a heightened suspicion that this prosthesis is a diversion to distract attention from other parts of her body probably loaded with prohibited substances. Yes, drug mules come in all sizes and ages.
The over-exuberant nonsense of airport security started by the 9/11…
Madam: Archbishop Fisher (July-August 2024) does not resist the attacks on his church by the political, social or scientific atheists and those who insist on not being told what to do.
Aug 29 2024
6 mins
To claim Aborigines have the world's oldest continuous culture is to misunderstand the meaning of culture, which continuously changes over time and location. For a culture not to change over time would be a reproach and certainly not a cause for celebration, for it would indicate that there had been no capacity to adapt. Clearly this has not been the case
Aug 20 2024
23 mins
A friend and longtime supporter of Quadrant, Clive James sent us a poem in 2010, which we published in our December issue. Like the Taronga Park Aquarium he recalls in its 'mocked-up sandstone cave' it's not to be forgotten
Aug 16 2024
2 mins
