DOUBLE HONOURS DEGREE PUT TO GOOD USE

Rodrigo C. Acuña, holder of a combined honours degree in politics and Latin American history, is "living proof that one can do something with an Art’s degree". Acuña puts his university credentials to good use as MC for Antony Loewenstein's free lecture "Spinning Us To War" at The Cricketer’s Arms Hotel in Sydney. Here are some snippets from Acuña:

... there are critical minds in this country both within and outside of academia. One such mind is that of freelance journalist Antony Lowenstein.


Much, if not all, of what Antony’s critics attribute to him is unfounded.


Try as he may to observe the Queensberry rules of intellectual debate...


Recently, Antony has begun to expand himself...

Being a shill for Loewenstein and his half-baked lefty nonsense, how appropriate. If Loewenstein ever does get into a situation where the Queensberry Rules apply, he better hope his opponent is a four year-old girl, intellectually, if not physically.

Click on the link at top to read the transcript of Ant's lecture. If you have an hour or so that you're desperate to kill, download the audio: the question and answer segment is great – the highlight is when someone drops a plate in reaction to the mere mention of Margo Kingston's name. Some revelations from the Q&A:

Scott Rotter is a card-carrying Republican and best mates with John Bolton's speechwriter.

The 1981 Israeli attack on Iraq's nuclear infrastructure was a "debatable" success.

The Burqa is no more confronting than a "nun outfit" – Ant knows that Muslim women wear a Burqa but doesn't know that nuns wear a habit: well actually, very few nuns still wear habits, mostly because habits are... confronting.

"You have to judge people by what they say." Soon after which Ant says that Israel faces no "existential threat". Obviously he isn't aware of recent statements from various Hamas notables.

Hamas is a legitimate, democratically elected government; Ariel Sharon is a war criminal.

The majority of Australians think Howard is a liar.

The west fundamentally misunderstands the Muslim world.

His parents support what he says. (Either they don't read his stuff or insanity is hereditary.)

Hamas has devoted many years and much effort to fighting corruption.

Loewenstein's entirely predictable remarks were enthusiastically received by the "crowd" – except for one fellow who was a bit critical and appeared to be cut off .

Update: Devoted Loewnestein commenter Addamo:

I just listened to the Mp3 of the speech you gave Ant. Well done.

Any chance you could debate Tim Blair one day?

How could Loewenstein possibly fit it into his schedule?