NOTE: We talk about rape in this episode, so skip the second half of this podcast if that's going to cause you distress.

Sooo...it's been quite a week.

The Attorney General Christian Porter declared that he is the sitting Cabinet minister who is the subject of historical rape allegations.

And then Harry and Meghan decided to blow up the British royal family.

This week, Eliza reflects on the culture at Parliament House.

And Geraldine believes that the royal fairytale won't end well.

Thanks for listening! Please leave us a review on iTunes or however you listen to your podcasts.

Eliza will role out the podcast newsletter next week.

6 ancient female philosophers you should know about: The Conversation

Don Russell on the governance crisis in Canberra

For years, LDC has tried to resist the urge of obsessing about real estate.

But something strange is happening in the local economy. Auction clearance rates in some parts of Australia are their highest in years and homes are going for well over the guide price.

So why now?

Geraldine reveals that economists remain perplexed about what's driving this latest surge in the "bricks and mortar" sector.

Also this week, the women share their dental dramas.

And Geraldine declutters her kitchen.

Thanks for listening! Let us know what you think of the podcast via email at [email protected]

New Amsterdam - drama series

And the reviews aren't great ...

Mayflies - Andrew O'Hagan

Peter Meares on ABC RN'sEarshot - Housing the Australian nation

How the Arab Spring Died - Jeremy Bowen

Eliza, Madeleine and Sarah discuss Richard Flanagan's The Living Sea of Waking Dreams.

It's a brilliant - but bleak - tale about humanity and extinction in the modern world.

It's five stars from Eliza, four stars each from Madeleine and Sarah.

Please get in touch via email [email protected]. The women will read out the correspondence at the March meeting.

Next month LDC Bookclub is reading "Mayflies" by Andrew O'Hagan.

Thanks for listening!

It was fun while it lasted, but it's time for Eliza and Facebook to go their seperate ways.

This week, Eliza cracked it with Facebook's decision to cut its news feed and stop negotiating in good faith with the Australian government over the media content laws.

But the split's been coming for a while.

Eliza spends too much time on social media and wonders if that time could be better spent elsewhere. Unfortunately, that means the "Long Distance Callers" group - which was the site of rich conversation and community - will be de-activated. It will be replaced with a newsletter (or perhaps even a blog). If you'd like to receive more communication from Eliza and Geraldine, email [email protected]

Also this week, Richard Flanagan's brilliant new book.

The road from Obama to Trump.

And Geraldine's search for forks at the ABC.

America's Great Divide: From Obama to Trump - PBS

The Living Sea of Waking Dreams - Richard Flanagan

Beirut blast investigator removed from investigation

Back in 2012, Eliza was covering NSW politics for ABC News.

At the same time, James Packer approached NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell with a proposal to build a casino, luxury hotel and entertainment complex at Barangaroo.

The Labor Opposition supported the project which created loads of jobs and Sydney's second casino became a fait accompli.

Almost a decade later, the casino has been build, but Crown Resorts has been deemed unsuitable to operate it because of poor corporate governance and the company's links to organised crime.

It's a huge corporate scandal.

Also this week, Geraldine falls in love with Sicily.

And Eliza starts Season 3 of the French drama "The Bureau".

Thanks for listening! Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" and email [email protected]

AFR: Crown report exposes "power of money"

SBS: The Bureau

Michael Portillo - Sicily

The Myanmar military has staged a coup d'etat and detained leader Aung San Suu Kyi.

It’s the latest in a long list of fascinating (and dangerous) twists in Suu Kyi’s life. Eliza took a keen interest in the Myanmar leader when she took the stand at the International Court of Justice to defend her country in the Rohingya genocide case.

Many found it difficult to understand how a woman who was viewed as a humanitarian icon could defend the military, rather than the oppressed Muslim minority.

Now, the military is back in charge, Eliza wonders if Suu Kyi has any friends left with whom she can call in a favour?

Also this week, Geraldine discusses her return to the office.

And the joys of the Kindle.

Thanks for listening! Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email [email protected]

What happened to Aung San Suu Kyi? Ben Rhodes

On Chapel Sands – Laura Cumming

How it happened podcast – Jonathan Swan - Axios

LDC Bookclub is back for 2021! Eliza is joined in conversation with fellow journalists Sarah Gerathy and Madeleine Genner.

January's book is 'Three Hours' by Rosamund Lupton.

It's a gripping, suspenseful thriller set in snowy country Somerset, England. A progressive, liberal school is under siege by a shooter. The headmaster has been shot. Authorities realise they've got three hours to work out the shooters' identity and save the kids.

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email [email protected]

Thanks for listening!

Here's a review:

https://www.theguardian.com/books/2020/jan/08/three-hours-rosamund-lupton-review

Eliza and Geraldine are back for their fourth year of conversation, analysis and the (odd) disagreement!

Over the summer, Eliza's been working hard and Geraldine has been enjoying a well deserved holiday.

The United States withstood an armed insurrection to ensure the transfer of power to President Biden.

Eliza and Geraldine have watched the Crown.

And they're pondering power shifts in the digital world against Google in America and Australia.

Thanks for listening!

Join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email [email protected]

It's almost Christmas!

COVID-19 remains a great challenge.

But despite all the tests of this year, Eliza and Geraldine both feel there's lots to celebrate.

Here's their pick of 2020:

Olive, Again – Elizabeth Strout

Rodham – Curtis Sittenfeld

A Promised Land – Barack Obama

The Designated Mourner – Fintan O’Toole on Joe Biden

Catch & Kill – Ronan Farrow

Intrigue, Mayday – BBC Radio 4.

*Derry Girls

*The Bureau

The Circus

There are more recommendations from Geraldine but the internet has failed - please check out the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" for more links and recommendations.

Thanks for listening! Email us at [email protected] to let us know your thoughts.

And leave us a review on iTunes or however you listen to podcasts - we'd really appreciate it!

It's the busy lead up to Christmas - so much so that Eliza has run out of time for the podcast show notes.

Enjoy this episode and join the conversation at the Facebook page "Long Distance Callers" or email [email protected]

Thanks for listening!