Loose cannons

Issue 

Starting with him

"Mr Howard said Australians needed to 'throw out those things that are not working' ..." — Sydney Morning Herald May 24.

Depends what you're negotiating

"You don't lose your principles just because you negotiate with the government." — Democrat Senator Andrew Bartlett.

He should know

"Honestly, that's more cruel than murder." — Suharto, Indonesia's former dictator, denying a Time magazine story that he and his family have amassed a fortune of $15 billion. Suharto came to power by organising the killing of more than a million people.

Perish the thought

"Mr Godkin was talking nonsense if he's claiming the issue of compensation was a major factor in relocating road cycling." — A spokesperson for SOCOG, replying to Australian Cycling Federation president Ray Godkin, who said that Olympic cycle racing had been moved from the eastern suburbs because Rupert Murdoch's Fox Studios might claim $5-6 million compensation for disruption of its production.

A job for the queen

"It has been a terrible mistake to allow NATO's case to be presented by Jamie Shea, who sounds like the manager of a lower-division soccer club." — The Telegraph, London.

New script for Mastercard commercial

"Lockheed F-16 Fighting Falcon — $25 million; Lockheed F-117 Nighthawk Stealth Fighter — $45 million; Boeing B-52 Stratofortress — $74 million; Brand new B-2 Stealth Bomber — $2.1 billion; A decent map of downtown Belgrade — priceless." — Circulating on the internet.

Reasonable

"We have to raise a bit of money, but we are in a reasonable position." — Eric Roozendaal, NSW ALP secretary, on the state party's financial position. In the last four years, it will have received $3.2 million from public funding, $2.7 million from corporations and $232,750 from unions.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.