(2014) Labor Must Not Turn its Back on Israel
Like many supporters of Israel across the Australian community, I am stunned by the erosion of sympathy and advocacy within the Labor Party in defence of the only democratic nation in the Middle East.
(2014) An Explanation of the Jenny Anderson/Michael Easson Correspondence
An explanation about these letters: In 1977 I began research for a MA (Hons.) thesis at the University of NSW on the Social and Political Philosophy of Professor John Anderson. My joint supervisors were two “Andersonians”, Doug McCallum and Donald Horne.
(2014) Burke’s Great Melody Against It
Conservative MP Jesse Norman set out to write an introduction to the ideas, context, and continuing relevance of Edmund Burke (1729-1797), Whig iconoclast and fierce critic of the French Revolution.
(2014) David Armstrong, 1926-2014
David Armstrong, affectionally known as DMA or Armo, was in an elite category of Australian intellectuals – a philosopher who developed an international reputation, perhaps the most considerable of any Australian philosopher.
(2014) Manners Maketh Man
At my university graduation at Kensington in 1976, I wondered who the hell was the apparently famous, but then unknown to me, spot-lighted old guy rambling-on in such a soft voice. I cannot remember a word Douglas Stewart said. There is no fire on the snow memory.
(2014) Toast to Shane Geha’s Ph.D.
Notes of a speech delivered on 12 April 2014 at a celebration at the Sheraton on the Park, Sydney, to mark the completion of Shane Geha’s PhD on “The Rezoning Effect” at the Department of Town Planning at the University of NSW.
(2014) Speech Notes to the ADFA Graduation Ceremony
Forest Gump once said that life is life a box of chocolates. You never know what you are going to get next. Today we have a better idea.
(2014) Joseph Roth on the End of the World
In the past few decades the writings, novels and essays of Joseph Roth (1894-1939) have undergone a renaissance. Michael Hofmann’s translations have brought many of the more obscure works of the Mitteleuropa-Jewish writer to an English language audience.
(2014) Jerzy Kosinski (1933-1991): A Closer Look
Jerzy Kosiński was the Polish name his father gave to save him
So he was forged for a new eternal existence.
He was born Józef Lewinkopf in Łódź,
A child of the Shoah.
(2014) The Bris Candle
The cylindrical wicker stand
Supports a metal plate
On which is perched a candle
In earthen coloured shades.