Everest mountaineers and politicians.

WHAT do Everest mountaineers and politicians have in common? They're all prepared to step over and abandon doomed colleagues in their eagerness to get to the top.

Can Rex Hunt stay on the perch?

A CONTRITE Rex Hunt is hoping his fans will maintain their loyalty after the revelation of his marital indiscretions. My advice? Give the birds away, mate. Stick to kissing fish instead.

Peter Costello.

WOULDN'T you know it? Peter Costello becomes Acting Prime Minister and the temperature rises by 6C.

Madonna and the crucifixion.

MADONNA, you're acting the fool,
Crucifixion is not at all cool.
If you don't stop it now,
You'll be branded a cow
And be known as Material Ghoul.

Madonna: the Material girl?

MADONNA'S crucifixion ghoulishness is ill-conceived. Henceforth, might she be known as the Material Ghoul?

President George W. Bush' s smirk.

PRESIDENT George W. Bush: the guy who put the irk in smirk!

Rolling Stone's fall from grace.

SO Rolling Stone Keith Richards has fallen from a coconut tree. How high was he this time?