Loose cannons

Echos

"The problem facing both leaders is that the more they try to distance themselves from each other, the more they are sounding the same." — Paul Coorey, the Adelaide Advertiser's chief political reporter comparing Prime Menzies John Howard and ALP "opposition" leader Kim Beazley.

Business expense

"Elements of the Labor Party's right-wing had worked out a way to make electoral rorting tax deductible, a party whistleblower said." — Sydney Morning Herald, January 31.

It cannot not be a tautology

"It cannot not be a global world." — World Bank president James Wolfensohn.

New Economy

"Amazon.com said it would close two operations centres and lay off 1,300 people, or 15 per cent of its work force. With those job cuts ... Amazon said it expected to show an operating profit in the fourth quarter of this year." — Sydney Morning Herald, February 1.

Virtual profit

"Although that does not mean the company will necessarily turn a profit based on conventional accounting, it was the first time that Amazon promised investors any kind of profit." — SMH, February 1.

From GLW issue 435