I occasionally watch Today Tonight to see what stories are being told in the land of tabloid TV. On the show tonight there was the seemingly obligatory story in these shows about feuding neighbors (in this case two restauranteurs) and then there was a story about how the iconic 70′s shorts, “stubbies”, were making a comeback. This “news” story consisted of four component parts, replays of old 70s footage of people in stubbies, interviews with people on a beach about their recollection of stubbies (or young kids non-recollection), hot models wearing the stubbies, and a “expert” talking about the new comeback, who is revealed at the end as working for stubbies.

So there was no actual independent evidence, well no evidence at all, of this comeback for stubbies. The only assertions about this were put forward by a representative of stubbies. I am not clear at all how this can be considered news – “fashion business asserts its product is the New Thing”, and it came across to me as a giant advertorial. Note however that there was not any disclosure around the story, and when I had a look on the website, there was no disclosure there. So we have no evidence that there was any relationship between channel seven and stubbies, but if there was, then I think this is what their “news program” would look like. Where is media watch when you need them?

I wanted to report on this before it fades away with the now imminent departure of the US forces from Iraq sorry that was a joke).

The Friedman Unit is a beautiful neologism based on the writing of the US reporter Thomas Friedman. Wikipedia reports the Friedman Unit as a period of six months into the future. This is how long Thomas Friedman has continually predicted the end of violence was away in Iraq. He has repeated written that the US only needs to be in Iraq another six months before everything improves, only to repeat the claim six months later.

According to the Centre for American Progress Iraq Timeline the first mention that Friedman made was Dec 03.

Well, to report on my election estimate and the results. I expected a 8.5% swing to the ALP, the actual swing was 5.6% according the the AEC Virtual Tally Room.

Not perfect, but not too bad either. I declare myself satisfied. I should have said 8.5% plus or minus 3%.