Is a meringue pie in the face an assault or a political act? Today we look at this question in the context of the pie assault of QANTAS CEO Alan Joyce. There is a long tradition of "pieing" as a political act. Bill Gates was famously "pied" in 1998. Yes it's illegal, but many people who get pied are big enougn not to press charges. Not so in the case of Mr Joyce. We also look at the issue of "universal basic income" as a proposal for alleviating the problems of long term unemployment. Related Links Finland's universal basic income trial for unemployed reduces stress levels, says official Federal budget 2017: Turnbull says welfare drug test policy 'based on love' Federal budget 2017: Welfare groups say new requirements 'vilify the unemployed' Parents with non-vaccinated children to lose $28 in Family Tax each fortnight