March 17 – 23, 2018
News
Comment
Comment
Nina Funnell
Old networks defending college abuse culture
“The old boys’ network will zealously shield their progeny from adverse consequences – not simply out of a filial loyalty, but to protect the institutions from which they drew their own power. While researching The Red Zone Report we heard from several former college students who had either self-harmed or become suicidal in response to the hazing they experienced at college. But we also discovered that the most vociferous defenders of hazing and initiation rituals were alumni groups themselves. ”
Comment
Paul Bongiorno
Shorten acts on tax as Batman votes
“Bill Shorten seized the political agenda in a dramatic way on Tuesday, overshadowing practically everything in domestic politics. He did it by homing in on a tax concession that is costing the budget billions but is a sacred cow for the Liberals. Donning his Sherwood Forest finest, the Opposition leader vowed to fight the government’s scare campaign ‘because I’m going to choose the battler over the top end of town’.”
Letters, Cartoon & Editorial
Culture
Profile
Ciara Phillips’ Biennale workshop
For the 21st Biennale of Sydney, artist Ciara Phillips is creating a collaborative printmaking studio, posters from which will run each week in The Saturday Paper. She talks about the role of art in social change. “I find it really difficult to explain: how do you make art? Basically it’s the sum total of all the things I think about.”
Music
New albums from Mia Dyson and Sarah Blasko
Mia Dyson and Sarah Blasko’s sixth and career-best albums suggest neither of these accomplished songwriters has yet hit their peak.
Portrait
Lorna, retired florist and grandmother
“Lorna is 81, retired florist, my maternal grandmother. Fond of cappuccinos; emojis; her rescue dog Rosie, a surprise from my aunt. Height: about 160 centimetres. Complexion: olive. Eyes: grey, I think. This began as a comical exercise based on the text messages we exchange from time to time. But our text messages, like any other words, do not exist in a vacuum.”
Food
“Tiramisu has a somewhat naff mass appeal – it’s a homely dessert that should be for everyone but the addition of raw egg, coffee and alcohol excludes children and some people from the pleasures. Bringing together two things that complete every meal – coffee and alcohol – it gives the diner the chance to indulge further without raising any suspicion.”
Books
Life
Visual Art
Scavenging art for Landfall: Lorne Sculpture Biennale
For Geelong’s Ian Ballis, a life sifting through other people’s discards has led to an unlikely creative partnership with Shirin Abedinirad, an Iranian installation artist whose work is part of the Lorne Sculpture Biennale.
The Quiz
Quotes
ABUSE
“It really proves exactly what we have been through. These are disgusting acts by a despicable man.”
The former Melbourne councillor describes her feeling of vindication after an independent report made four adverse findings against Robert Doyle. The former lord mayor groped Sullivan and is also otherwise generally grotesque.
SHKRELI
“There’s no conspiracy to take down Martin Shkreli. I took down Martin Shkreli with my disgraceful actions.”
The price-gouging pharmaceuticals investor is sentenced to seven years’ jail for fraud. Unfortunately for Martin Shkreli, Martin Shkreli will be forced to serve his term in the first person.
PETS
“I don’t know if he’s going to be able to sustain this flight, because he is a 10-year-old dog, and he’s never been on a flight before.”
The dog owner complains United Airlines mistakenly flew her German shepherd to Japan, days after another dog died when its owner was made to put it in the overhead locker. Punching a doctor in the face and dragging him down the aisle looks pretty tame now.
COURT
“Are you not pathetic?”
The Federal Circuit Court judge finds far-right activist Neil Erikson guilty of contempt of court for failing to return a Toll uniform he wears in racist videos. Pathetic isn’t the half of it.
DEATHS
“His passing has left an intellectual vacuum in his wake. But it’s not empty. Think of it as a kind of vacuum energy permeating the fabric of spacetime that defies measure.”
The astrophysicist marks the death of Stephen Hawking. The British physicist and author was 76.
MEDIA
“I do subscribe to The Saturday Paper and Crikey.”
The ACT chief minister defends comments in which he said he hates journalists and no longer subscribes to The Canberra Times. The Saturday Paper does not endorse his view of journalism, but a subscriber is a subscriber.
