Snippets:

Early March may very well see an election, with the Tas Lib's off to a quick start.

The launch of the first phase of the Liberal campaign has sparked the inevitable rumours that the Government might call an early election this Friday for a Saturday, February 11, polling date.

An election must be announced at least 34 days prior to the chosen polling date.

Conscription for all (kudos, anthony).

Aspiring journalist and general dodo, Antony Loewenstein (Tim Blair readers probably know him better as Crazy Ant), agrees with Labor's latest policy and states that;

“conscription is the most effective way to end rising militarism within Australia. Support for imperial wars would virtually disappear. I therefore support the move.”

Rising militarism in Australia?

Taking away the individuals' right to live without fear of being thrown in a barracks for six months will not have positive results at all- add this policy to a declining labour market and an ageing Australia- and you have another reason to avoid the ALP.

Fox has this timeline on Israel’s (possibly dead) anti-hero Ariel Sharon.

1971

Sharon is placed in charge of curbing terrorism in Gaza Strip. More than 100 suspected militants killed and hundreds detained. Attacks by Palestinians go from 34 in June to one in December.