Cultural Appropriation

Cultural Appropriation

Paul Thomas2014-08-30 Another week, another racism row. Last week Taylor Swift’s new video was the issue. Rapper Earl Sweatshirt didn’t even need to watch it to know (and tell the world) that it’s “inherently offensive and ultimately harmful.” Swift wears hip hop gear...
Sore Losers who Seethe with Rage

Sore Losers who Seethe with Rage

Paul Thomas2013-10-05 The leaders of America and Iran are talking to each other for the first time since 1979, but US domestic politics remain mired in communication breakdown. Obviously we can’t attach too much significance to the contact between Barack Obama and...
Santorum: A Word for all Sorts of Nastiness

Santorum: A Word for all Sorts of Nastiness

Paul Thomas2012-02-25 You’d think that if you googled “santorum”, you’d be inundated with stuff about Rick Santorum, the US religious right’s flavour of the month now being touted as a serious contender to be the Republican Party’s candidate in this year’s...
Mid Life Crisis in Land of the Free

Mid Life Crisis in Land of the Free

Paul Thomas2010-09-04 Observing American politics these days is a bit like watching an old family friend go through a mid-life identity crisis: he’s dumped his wife for a pole-dancer, become a Buddhist, and got himself a tattoo and a ponytail. You wonder: what next?...
The Shoes The World Couldn’t Dodge

The Shoes The World Couldn’t Dodge

Paul Thomas2008-12-20 In Independence Day, the president leads an air raid against alien invaders. In Air Force One, the president saves his family from terrorists who’ve hijacked the presidential jumbo jet. And this week life imitated art when President George W....