The recent death of the 102 year old Michael ‘Mad Mike’ Hoare reminds us of when the last of the mercenaries who fought in the world’s wars were replaced by mega-mercenary companies to which the United States and others have outsourced many military operations.

Over centuries rulers have outsourced wars and one of Hoare’s most famous English predecessors was the 14th century English condottiere John Hawkwood who plied his trade among the interminable wars of the time in Italy. But for those who have never heard of Hawkwood or Mad Mike you need to go to the history books (for instance Frances Stonor Saunders’ Hawkwood) to learn about the former and to the film The Wild Geese for the latter. read more

All societies survive on myths – whether fraudulent, foundational or both – but one of the most widely of those celebrated among Western world nations (other than Christmas and which encompasses both) is the US Thanksgiving holiday.

For those few who may not know it, Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States, celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November which has been celebrated nationally on and off since 1789, when a proclamation by President George Washington made it a public holiday after a request by Congress and after another affirmation by Lincoln. read more

Most governments are hopeless at communicating risks – except for the imaginary ones they conjure up to attack their opponents.

Yet when a major crisis like COVID-19 arises the natural instinct is to assure their citizens that it is a problem which can be contained and which they are doing everything they can to control. read more

Who is the world’s outstanding journalist? It’s a question which seems particularly important given the current status of journalism; the rise of fake news online; and, the need for journalists to be constantly posting to get their employers’ online media figures up.

It’s also a very difficult question to answer because how do you judge? read more

Up until recently Morrison has managed one bit of very successful marketing – himself. But now the real ScoMo – the one seen in his career before politics – is becoming more apparent.

Bevan Hurley, writing in the New Zealand publication Stuff on 16 February 2020, recounts Morrison’s 1998-2000 career as NZ Office of Tourism and Sport CEO during a period the local media called The Tourism Wars. Boards were sacked and claims and counter-claims involving everyone from the PM to various Ministers and officials ultimately culminated in the Government’s defeat and the election of a Labour Government. read more

Australia has, as usual, meekly followed suit to ban Huawei from a potential 5G network at the behest of the United States.

The British are being a bit more independent and arguing that the problem can be managed – if there is a problem – and is at risk of angering the other Five Eyes nations which merrily spy on people around the world. read more

Australian CEOs get paid megabucks – many multiples of their staff; get paid huge sums to go away when they fail; and, their boards use all sorts of spin to justify it all.

As for the spin and spinners more later, but in the meantime it is probable that the CEOs often fail because they simply don’t recognise the threats and problems their businesses face even when they have the advantage of referring to very recent history. read more

Scottie from marketing called in Russel from marketing for help. And didn’t that go well?

Russel Howcroft is a former George Patts CEO; Executive General Manager of Network Ten, who moved to PwC as Chief Creative Officer shortly before the network went into voluntary administration; and, a star of the TV program The Gruen Transfer. read more

There is no doubt about climate change denialists – they keep shifting shape and keep manoeuvring to cast doubt on scientific reality – irrespective of whatever events make their arguments look ridiculous.

While it is easy to be distracted by buffoons such as Liberal backbencher, Craig Kelly, and the Nationals Leader, Michael McCormack who is a self-proclaimed expert on inner-urban lunacy the real problem is the subtle, relentless, constantly evolving long term campaign to deny and cast doubt on the science or distract attention from the issue. read more

Australia’s pre-eminent rent seekers must be salivating at the thought that the PM might ‘evolve’ its policy on climate change and will be counting up the billions they may reap from his likely emissions ‘reductions’ schemes.

The Prime Minister has already made clear the constraints he will place on any climate change policy ‘evolution’. He recently told the ABC that “We want to reduce emissions and do the best job we possibly can and get better and better and better at it. I want to do that with a balanced policy which recognises Australia’s broader national economic interests and social interest.” read more