What on earth is Abbott thinking? The Fitz Files Illustration: Reg Lynch I'll say it again: in the wake of the news this week that since the carbon tax was introduced last year, "electricity generated by highly polluting coal-fired power plants had fallen 14 per cent ... while renewable power had soared," why on earth would the Coalition dismantle it to replace it with a proposal that gives "financial incentives to companies that cut carbon emissions ... [to] cost $3.2 billion over four years"? Under the current carbon tax system, the heaviest users of electricity pay the most heavily for it; under the Coalition's system, all taxpayers contribute to bribing the polluters to no longer pollute. Honestly, does that make sense? Waterlogged This week's brain-teaser. What sadly well-known nautical phrase is this a clue for? man board This is a send-up Hello, is that the US's National Rifle Association? Yes, I am writing about your ad this week for a staff accountant. I note your final line. This position is subject to credit and criminal background checks. Do you perhaps see a teensy little bit of irony or, dare I say, FLAMING HYPOCRISY in that? You scream like stuck pigs at the very notion of Obama wanting to introduce background checks on people before handing over AK-47s capable of firing 100 bullets in just a few seconds, but want to conduct background checks before giving them a calculator and a key pass? How does that work? Clean your act up Interesting. Former Australian of the Year and Chairman of Clean Up Australia Day, Ian Kiernan, penned a very stern letter to Alan Jones this week, admonishing him for taking the name of his organisation in vain: Alan I have had numerous complaints that you are describing election day the 14th September 2013 as Clean Up Australia Day. Clean Up Australia and Clean Up Australia Day are both registered trademarks of this organisation. By falsely claiming that 14th September is Clean Up Australia Day, you are causing confusion to those who genuinely support our event. Further it is causing damage to our organisation and brand through political affiliation that does not exist. CUA is not government funded, a choice we have made to protect our independence. As well we are a not for profit organisation and are essentially owned by those who support it ... As a first step I am asking that you cease your reference to our day and brand for the benefit of your campaign. Ian. And fair enough, too! Says it all, really Since Fairfax has encouraged readers to submit comments at the end of columns, I notice many of you express things better than I can. Such was the case last week, after many people got upset that it was a tad on the ludicrous side of things for those in Cleveland to thank their god for having saved the three young hostages. A reader replied to the comments: "Look - to all the decent people of faith out there: this is not ... an attempt to denigrate your beliefs. The majority ... simply wish to be allowed to go about our lives in peace without the astounding arrogance of someone else telling us we know nothing, are going to hell and require salvation. Back off. Respect works both ways. I'll allow you to live life worshipping an imaginary friend and you allow me the right to not have your views shoved down my throat or for my tax dollars to go towards your Church of the Pretend Fairies receiving unfair and unreasonable tax breaks that you don't deserve. What he said! Brain-teaser answer: Man overboard. They said ... Andrew Johns has used the phrase 'I swear on my life' more times than John Singleton has been married at #MoreJoyous inquiry. Fairfax's finest reporter, @Kate_McClymont, reports from the stewards inquiry at Randwick on Monday. Erstwhile state Liberal leader John Brogden reports this massive piece of graffiti now appears at the top of Newport Hill on Barrenjoey Road. The case is not simply about a particular form of sexual activity in the hotel room. If you think more broadly, what is at the heart of it is an exercise of autonomy by an individual. Solicitor-General Justin Gleeson, SC, in a case where a woman on a work trip is suing her employer for damages after she was injured while having sex with a fellow employee in the hotel bed the employer paid for. [I miss politics] all the time, every day ... You love the responsibility and you love the feeling of being at the heart of the nation, you miss the people. You got to know what everyday Australians were about - the drollness, the realism. Australian ambassador to the US Kim Christian Beazley, waxing nostalgic for his days in Federal Parliament. I wish I was a glow-worm, a glow-worm's never glum. Cos how can you be grumpy when the sun shines out your bum! So reads the Twitter handle of reader @Haylz37.