Author: peterimrich

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Paul Bongiorno: PM’s only hope is budget numbers saving him

budget

The Scam and fix is in. The budget tanked like a bungee during the pandemic now it’s about to rebound as rapidly as one, but just like a bungee that recovery won’t be the same as it was pre-pandemic, and it wasn’t crash hot back then either as they’d destroyed our relationship with China and the EU.

Nevertheless, you won’t hear that from Morrison or Frydenberg who will tell you our recovery will have been the best in all possible worlds. As a consequence, we will be able to afford the best of all possible bribes, tax cuts. Never mind that the top 10% of the nation has already received their bonus expanding the wealth gap like never before seen (over 25%). Never mind, that in the past 30 years the LNP has been the highest taxing of all governments. Never mind, that the LNP has been the harshest on Social Welfare, Universal Health, Education, wage growth, and the casualization of the workforce. During their tenure have Dropped us down the ladder from best to worst in the OECD and increased the level of corruption. Never mind this government has been the most secretive and least supportive of communications making us 60th globally in broadband speed and the accelerated destruction of the ABC and restriction of Independent Media. Never mind that we have fallen on every comparable social metric and our global reputation has been shredded under this the worst PM and government this country has ever seen. We are nevertheless about to be given tax cuts of 1-2 %. WTF!!

The word out of the federal government is a desperate Scott Morrison will use improved numbers in the budget to attempt a huge tax cut to buy his way back into government.

Source: Paul Bongiorno: PM’s only hope is budget numbers saving him

Informed Comment

ABC’s Insiders doesn’t serve its viewers or the nation

Dominated by untrustworthy Murdoch agents

Over the year, guest journalists made 133 appearances on the 44 Insiders programs. If we count presenter David Speers, that is 177 contributions. Of these, 92 were current or former employees of Murdoch’s News Corporation, the most untruthful and discredited “news” organisation in the English-speaking world. That’s 52%. Another 32 journalists, or 18%, were from the pro-Coalition Nine Entertainment network. There is no need for the public broadcaster to engage employees of organisations with proven records of falsifying data, suppressing vital information and blatant political manipulation. Australia has many journalists with excellent credentials Insiders could have used.

Source: ABC’s Insiders doesn’t serve its viewers or the nation

Media

Neoliberal principles guide journalism in Australia

I was under the impression that no matter which government was in power the ABC’s charter was to critically test the truth and validity of what they claimed to be doing against what they were actually doing. Basically, fact-checking, for and on behalf of the electorate, not simply the mouth piece of the government. Abbot’s promise to both Murdoch and the IPA was to rid us of the ABC. The LNP seems to refuse and accept this. Rather, claiming any revelation not supporting what it is they are doing, is in opposition and therefore biased. As a consequence, they prefer to work with the private. A media which they feel they can control with promises of “cash for comment” in exchange for what it is they want. Now that is biased.

Journalists have the power to frame reality for audiences, because they set the standards for what is considered “good”, “bad”, “normal” or “controversial”.

Source: Neoliberal principles guide journalism in Australia

Informed Comment

We deserve better – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Governments have not been fulfilling their responsibilities for many years but this lot have given up any pretence of being motivated by the best interests of the people – unless they are ‘their’ people. This is an excerpt from that original essay that should remind us all what we have a right to expect from our government:

Source: We deserve better – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Australian Politics

‘Attacking democracy’: Independent MPs hit back at Coalition

Image

 No complaints were heard when Clive Palmer spent $$$

Escalating Coalition criticism of the ‘Voices Of’ independent movement is “attacking democracy”, one of the drive’s key supporters has claimed, as yet more senior ministers complain about its growing traction.

Despite the Coalition claiming the movement is a “front” for Labor or the Greens, most of the independent candidates say they’ve never been a member of any political party, and some have links to the Liberals. Ms Daniel, a former ABC journalist and former TND columnist, said she had voted for her opponent, Mr Wilson, in 2016. Allegra Spender, taking on Dave Sharma in Wentworth, is the daughter of former Liberal MP John Spender. Mr Holmes a Court said he was unsurprised the Voices campaigns largely came from Coalition seats. “They’re growing out of frustration at the representation they’re getting. I’m not surprised people in non-government seats aren’t energised enough to start a campaign,” he said. “This is a movement from the centre. It’s spot fires of people who are pi–ed off. If Labor was in power, I’m sure this movement would be targeting Labor seats. They’re pushing against people they think are doing a bad job. “[Mr Morrison] should be asking, ‘Why did these groups start up and why are people disaffected in heartland Liberal seats?’” Mr Holmes a Court said Climate 200 would look to support between 12 and 20 independent candidates, and hoped three to five would win

Source: ‘Attacking democracy’: Independent MPs hit back at Coalition

Political Hypocrisy

Mark Dreyfus: PM’s Gladys for Warringah push shows he has no standards

Scott Morrison Gladys Berejiklian

It says everything you need to know about Scott Morrison’s approach to integrity that he wants Ms Berejiklian to stand as a candidate for his government while that same investigation is still under way. On this issue, as in her handling of the pandemic, Ms Berejiklian’s judgment has been far superior to Mr Morrison’s. If it was untenable for the Premier to continue in office with serious unresolved allegations of corruption hanging over her, it is equally untenable for her to seek election to the Commonwealth Parliament while those same, serious allegations remain unresolved. And it is even worse for the Prime Minister to be seeking to influence the conduct of that inquiry by misusing his high office, seemingly to try to bully the commission into clearing the former premier because he thinks it will help his election chances.

Source: Mark Dreyfus: PM’s Gladys for Warringah push shows he has no standards

LNP, LNP Government

Jim Chalmers says the two highest-taxing governments of the past 30 years have been Coalition governments. Is that correct? – ABC News

Jim Chalmers speaking at a press conference at Parliament House. Verdict is "fair call" with a green tick

The verdict Dr Chalmers’s claim is a fair call. Although there have been just two periods each of Labor and Coalition governments in the last 30 years, the Commonwealth tax take was on average higher under the Coalition during that time. Tax revenue as a share of the economy was highest under prime minister John Howard. Next was the current Coalition government, elected in 2013, followed by the Labor government of Bob Hawke and Paul Keating, then that of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. However, direct comparisons are complicated by, among other things, the introduction of the federal goods and services tax (GST) in July 2000, which one expert explained would have pushed up federal taxes as a share of the economy. Importantly, experts told Fact Check that these tax figures were also subject to factors beyond the control of governments — including resources prices, for example — and were not necessarily a sign of good or bad economic management.

Source: Jim Chalmers says the two highest-taxing governments of the past 30 years have been Coalition governments. Is that correct? – ABC News

Scott Morrison

Historic billion-dollar defence contract with South Korea amid rising regional tensions – ABC News

Two man in suits standing next to each other, holding up their index fingers

Celebrating yet another step in becoming a Military Industrial economy in the Pacific. Not only will we be the next Pearl Harbour but a munitions factory. The LNP killed the Motor Industry in Australia when we could have been a leading EV producer with all the resources on hand. Geelong suffered the brunt of Abbott’s decision that lost the LNP the Corangamite electorate. Now Morrison hopes to win it back by making the people of Geelong a military target. Needless to say Morrison won’t live there.

Australia has finalised a deal with South Korea defence giant Hanwha to build military tools in Geelong The $1 billion contract is Australia’s largest ever defence contract with an Asian nation The contract will create at least 300 jobs, according to the plan first announced in 2019.

Source: Historic billion-dollar defence contract with South Korea amid rising regional tensions – ABC News

Uncategorized

Old Dog Thoughts- The Return of Dr Strangelove in 2021- Don’t Look Up – Australia certainly isn’t
Don't Look Up' Review: Adam McKay's Apocalyptic Comet Comedy - Variety

Fighting Fake News with REAL 13/12/21; Don’t Look Up -Movie, ABC’s Insiders Platform for Murdoch

 

Humor, Humour, Truth in Humor

“Don’t Look Up” Is “Dr. Strangelove” for Climate Change

DON'T LOOK UP

Like most comedies, “Don’t Look Up” is probably best seen in theaters. But be prepared: As in “Dr. Strangelove,” the depth of comedy of “Don’t Look Up” is matched by a subtle, profound grief. The end of the movie is unbearably poignant; in particular, Lawrence delivers one line that is clearly the filmmakers explaining why they made this, even if it turns out to be completely futile. There may be a few movies that will make you laugh more and some that make you cry more, but if you add the laughing and crying together, it’s hard to think of anything that puts more emotional points on the board.

Source: “Don’t Look Up” Is “Dr. Strangelove” for Climate Change

Universities

Unis offered as few as 1 in 100 casuals permanent status in 2021. Why aren’t conversion rules working for these staff?

Twenty years’ experience of casual conversion clauses in Australian universities’ employment agreements shows these have not reduced the number of casual staff they employ. No one should be surprised at how few offers of conversion to permanent employment have been made following changes to the National Employment Standards (NES) in March this year. Universities have reportedly offered fewer than 1 in 100 casual staff permanent status since then.

Source: Unis offered as few as 1 in 100 casuals permanent status in 2021. Why aren’t conversion rules working for these staff?

Democracy

Fake democracy – » The Australian Independent Media Network

In the meantime even Biden wants Assange jailed

Leaders from “approximately 110 countries were invited to take part in” President Biden’s two-day Summit for Democracy. The complete list of participating countries can be found here. You’ll notice that Australia attended (represented by Prime Minister Prime Minister Scott Morrison), which I will get to shortly. President Biden focused on a few issues, including “election integrity, countering authoritarian regimes and bolstering independent media.”

Consider this: Australia’s Fake Democracy

Amendments to the Federal Treasurer’s media bargaining code will be tabled in the New Year.

In a nutshell, if passed, it will mean that in Australia, Facebook and Google can only publish articles from the Murdoch media, Kerry Stokes media, and Fairfax/Channel 9.

Basically, it will be ensure that the voices of independent (or dissenting) media is muffled in the lead up to the next election.

Consider also, that the largest media empire in Australia, the Murdoch media, do absolutely nothing to hold the Morrison government to account. If anything, they seem to behave like the government’s mouthpiece.

The two considerations above should disqualify us from calling ourselves true democracy.

 

Source: Fake democracy – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

A post from 7 December 2016. Check out the familiarity with the same day in 2021. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day I found it impossible to imagine that the 2016Australian people could be so gullible as to elect for a third term a government that has performed so miserably in the first two. And it has has amongst its members some of the most devious, suspicious and chillingly corrupt men and women but they did. (John Lord )

Source: A post from 7 December 2016. Check out the familiarity with the same day in 2021. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Israel, Israel Crimes

Spike in Violence in 2021 by Israeli Forces, Squatters, toward Palestinian Children: Defense for Children, UN’s Bachelet

Settler violence escalates when the world is distracted. The Israeli Panzer Division is its illegal settler invaders who rapidly advance, and illegally push forward to occupy Palestinian land killing, and terrorizing the rightful owners off their property which then Israel claims as their own.

This week, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet also addressed the issue of killed children: “On 5 November, a 15-year-old Palestinian boy was shot with live ammunition in the abdomen, and killed, by Israeli forces stationed about 50 meters away, during demonstrations in Deir Al-Hatab near the illegal Israeli settlement Elon Moreh. This year, Israeli forces have killed 16 children in the West Bank, including East Jerusalem. These and all other killings, as well as all incidents of excessive and unwarranted use of lethal force by Israeli forces, must be thoroughly and effectively investigated, and those responsible held to account.” Bachelet further noted that Israeli squatters were responsible for 480 deaths, injuries, or significant property damage this year in attacks on Palestinians, “the highest incidence of settler violence ever recorded by the United Nations.” Not a day goes by, she observed, but that squatters attack Palestinians. She worries about the spiraling increase in violence, with “four Palestinians killed and 167 injured by settlers, including seven with live ammunition.”

Source: Spike in Violence in 2021 by Israeli Forces, Squatters, toward Palestinian Children: Defense for Children, UN’s Bachelet

Informed Comment

JOHN PILGER: U.S. wins extradition appeal against Julian Assange

This brings me to the quotation at the top of this article: ‘Let us look at ourselves, if we can bear to, and see what is becoming of us.’ Jean-Paul Sartre wrote this in his preface to Frantz Fanon’s ‘The Wretched of the Earth’, the classic study of how colonised and seduced and coerced and, yes, craven peoples do the bidding of the powerful. Who among us is prepared to stand up rather than remain mere bystanders to an epic travesty such as the judicial kidnapping of Julian Assange? What is at stake is both a courageous man’s life and, if we remain silent, the conquest of our intellects and sense of right and wrong: indeed our very humanity.

Source: JOHN PILGER: U.S. wins extradition appeal against Julian Assange

Julian Assange

Journalism, Assange and Reversal in the High Court – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The justices also failed to consider the murderous elephant in the room, one that had been submitted by the defence at both the extradition hearing and the appeal: that US government officials had contemplated abducting and assassinating the very individual whose extradition they were seeking. This was a view that held sway with former US Secretary of State and CIA chief Mike Pompeo. In the United States, talking heads expressed their satisfaction about the glories of the US justice and prison system. Former Democratic Senator Claire McCaskill told MSNBC that, “This was really a guy who just violated the law.” Concerns by Assange’s defense team that his “safety in [US] prison” would be compromised showed that “they really don’t have perspective on this.” It is fittingly monstrous that this decision should be handed down the same day the Nobel Peace Prize was being awarded to two journalists, Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov. Or that it should happen on Human Rights Day, which saw US Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s boast that “we will continue to promote accountability for human rights violators.” Except one’s own. Inevitably, these cruel, gradually lethal proceedings move to the next stage: an appeal to the Supreme Court. As the paperwork is gathered, Assange will muse, grimly, that the entire period of his discharge never saw him leave Belmarsh Prison.

 

 

Source: Journalism, Assange and Reversal in the High Court – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- Liberals have always had fleas
George Christensen appeared on Alex Jones’ show.

Fighting Fake News with REAL; 12/12/21; Crap and Conspiracy ; Trump and the “Coup Plan”

Julian Assange

Australia asks about Assange but won’t call for release

The federal government has “raised the situation” of WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange’s confinement with the UK and US, but has stopped short of calling for the Australian to be released.

The UK court’s decision has drawn ire from the United Nations’ special rapporteur on torture, Nils Melzer, who sharply criticised the verdict.

“This is a shortcoming for the British judiciary,” Mr Melzer told the DPA news agency on Friday.

“You can think what you want about Assange but he is not in a condition to be extradited,” he said, referring to a “politically motivated verdict”.

Source: Australia asks about Assange but won’t call for release

Informed Comment

Back to first principles: a blueprint to revive Australian democracy – Michael West Media

QED, Federal ICAC

Parliament is in recess and another year has gone without the Morrison government honouring its promise to establish a federal ICAC. It is clearly reluctant to do so at all, while rorts and scandals continue to erode trust in our politicians. The system is broken, and it will take much more than an integrity and corruption commission to fix it. Kim Wingerei reports. A wise person once said: the problem is rarely the problem, it’s failure to deal with the problem that becomes the problem. The problems run deep in Federal Parliament, but they can be addressed.

Source: Back to first principles: a blueprint to revive Australian democracy – Michael West Media

Uncategorized

Angus Taylor makes no sense – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Righto. Angus is on the job. Except … Australia’s largest producer of urea, Incitec Pivot, told the stock exchange last month it plans to close its main urea plant in Brisbane’s Gibson Island by the end of next year. The facility had been unable to secure “an economically viable long-term gas supply.” Paradoxically, Australia’s Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources said in its Resources and Energy Quarterly released June 28 that the global LNG market is likely to be marked by a surplus of supply over the next couple of years, which will place downward pressure on prices. “Given the large-scale expansion of global LNG capacity in recent years, import demand is expected to remain short of export capacity throughout the outlook period,” the report said. Then I read in the New York Times … Tanker ships carrying liquefied natural gas from exporters like the United States, Qatar and Australia have been steaming toward China and Brazil, drawn by higher prices.

Source: Angus Taylor makes no sense – » The Australian Independent Media Network

TAX

The usual suspects star in annual Tax Office data-dump paying donut on their billions – Michael West Media

If there is proof that Morrison leads a do-nothing Government surely this is it

An important step in the battle between corporate tax lawyers constant innovations around Australia’s tax regulations. The report also reveals that roughly a third of all the companies analysed have paid zero tax, a metric consistent with previous years and one which Saint did not think would change substantially, even leading into the 2020-21 pandemic year.

While the Pandemic shellacked many businesses, the $90bn in JobKeeper subsidies propped many of them up, and some $20bn of it was wasted on companies which enjoyed rising revenues. Another $20bn went to corporations which did not need it, much was spent of executive bonuses and dividends to shareholders.

This time next year will will get a better idea of whether the corporate culprits which snaffled the massive JobKeeper subsidies paid their fair share of tax.

Source: The usual suspects star in annual Tax Office data-dump paying donut on their billions – Michael West Media

Middle East

Deconstructed: Congress Caves to Saudi Arabia on Yemen

This week, the Senate voted down a resolution that would have blocked a defensive weapons sale to Saudi Arabia. The measure attracted support from senators of both parties for its potential to pressure the kingdom to end the war in Yemen. Intercept reporters Sara Sirota and Ken Klippenstein join Ryan Grim to discuss what the politics surrounding Saudi Arabia look like with a Democrat back in the White House. Transcript coming soon.

Source: Deconstructed: Congress Caves to Saudi Arabia on Yemen

Trump

The Truth About Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ Network – Progressive.org

Even before anything is actually unveiled or proven successful, the venture is valued at over a billion dollars. There is, however, an extremely good chance the whole thing will be a flop, in which case Trump and his pals will still make hundreds of millions of dollars thanks to the way the deals are structured . . . and of course the average investor/Trump supporter will be left with little of value.

Source: The Truth About Trump’s ‘Truth Social’ Network – Progressive.org

Julian Assange

Julian Assange Is on the Brink of Extradition to U.S.

Stella Moris, partner of Julian Assange, stands with protestors in front of the High Court in London, Friday, Dec. 10, 2021. A British appellate court has opened the door for WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange to be extradited to the United States. The High Court overturned a lower court ruling that found Assange's mental health was too fragile to withstand the American criminal justice system. A lower court judge earlier this year refused an American request to extradite Assange to the U.S. to face spying charges over WikiLeaks' publication of secret military documents a decade ago. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)

The nation that allows Fox News and Trump’s “alternative facts” to flourish hammers those that publish inconvenient truths.

“Julian’s life is once more under grave threat, and so is the right of journalists to publish material that governments and corporations find inconvenient,” WikiLeaks editor-in-chief Kristinn Hrafnsson said. “This is about the right of a free press to publish without being threatened by a bullying superpower.”

Source: Julian Assange Is on the Brink of Extradition to U.S.

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- The Tale of two men of the media-The American nightmare
Julian Assange, pictured in 2017, at the Ecuadorian embassy.
Rupert Murdoch and Jerry Hall have bought a massive cattle ranch in Montana.

Fighting Fake News with REAL; 11/12/21; Julian Assange; American Democracy, Rupert Murdoch’s petty cash

Informed Comment

Back to first principles: a blueprint to revive Australian democracy – Michael West Media

Integrity Now Report

Parliament is in recess and another year has gone without the Morrison government honouring its promise to establish a federal ICAC. It is clearly reluctant to do so at all, while rorts and scandals continue to erode trust in our politicians. The system is broken, and it will take much more than an integrity and corruption commission to fix it. Kim Wingerei reports.

Source: Back to first principles: a blueprint to revive Australian democracy – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

“Vote Labor you vote Greens” – Morrison’s not so scary scare campaign – » The Australian Independent Media Network

What they did agree to makes for very interesting reading today in light of Morrison’s attempts to spook the electorate.

The concessions secured by the Greens included:

  • the formation of a climate change committe 
  • a parliamentary debate on Afghanistan
  • a referendum on recognising Indigenous Australians
  • restrictions on political donations
  • legislation on truth in political advertising
  • the establishment of a Parliamentary Budget Committee
  • a parliamentary integrity commissioner
  • improved processes for release of documents in Parliament
  • a leaders debates Commission a move towards full three-year parliamentary terms
  • two-and-a-half hours of allocated debate for private members’ bills
  • access for Greens to various Treasury documents

An admirable list of requests, few of which appear to have come to fruition with the parliament, instead, paralysed by attacks on Julia Gillard’s decades old involvement with the AWU, the evisceration of Craig Thomson and Peter Slipper, and the constant demonising of asylum seekers.

Source: “Vote Labor you vote Greens” – Morrison’s not so scary scare campaign – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Australian Politics

Independents are not the answer to our problems – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Put it another way. The very things the Labor party represents and supports Multiculturalism, Individual decent living conditions, Freedom, and Democracy are the very qualities that tie its arm behind its back. It’s why the US Democrats and Labor in the UK, aren’t the parties of extremes but centerist. In a Democracy, major parties should be prepared to lose and currently Labor seems to be the only party that accepts that. It’s why they aren’t the party fighting to divide and fragment the nation. The LNP on the other hand promote culture wars aren’t anti Independents who are divisive, forced into transactional arrangements to form unstable coalitions and we’ve seen just how that’s worked for the LNP. The ALP haven’t joined One Nation, Clive Palmer’s AUP and any other stand alone Independant.

Unfortunately, divide and conquer is the historic truism that’s lead many Dictators and would be autocrats to pyrrhic and short lived victories in the past. Their politics tends to appeal to emotions, religious beliefs and culture rather than logic and rationality drawn from the data collected our material existense. An educated Australia or electorate isn’t in their interests.

To put it in a broader context, the independent lovefest comes down to a reassertion of the fact that the Labor Party is not accepted as fully legitimate. Decades of neoliberalism have undermined its ability to project a vision of the national interest that is equally valid as that of the corporate/politically conservative interests in Australia, where those interests include the media. Labor always fights with one hand tied behind its back – and until they prove otherwise, the independent candidates are simply another manifestation of anti Labor sentiment. What we really need is to do whatever it takes to elect a majority Labor government that will actually do something about the challenges we face.

Source: Independents are not the answer to our problems – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Capitalism

Your Debt Is Someone Else’s Asset

Covering thousands of years in just under seven minutes, “Your Debt Is Someone Else’s Asset” ends with a rousing vision of the future: a world after a jubilee, an ancient term for the abolition of debts and rebalancing of power between the rich and the poor.

Source: Your Debt Is Someone Else’s Asset

TAX

One-third of big businesses in Australia still don’t pay any tax five years into ATO crackdown | Tax | The Guardian

The sign of an Australian Taxation Office shopfront

One-third of large companies in Australia still don’t pay any tax despite a taxation office crackdown on the big end of town that has been under way for five years.

Source: One-third of big businesses in Australia still don’t pay any tax five years into ATO crackdown | Tax | The Guardian

Coal

AEMO says coal being retired faster than expected

Do Nothing Morrison will bow and take the credit.

Coal plants are being retired faster than anticipated and Australia’s national energy market could operate without the fossil fuel by 2043. This would produce $29 billion in net market benefits, the Australian Energy Market Operator forecasts.

Source: AEMO says coal being retired faster than expected

Robert Reich

What’s really wrong with the mainstream media | Robert Reich | The Guardian

‘Top editors and reporters want to be accepted into the circles of the powerful – because such acceptance is psychologically seductive.’

What’s really wrong with the mainstream media Robert Reich Robert Reich From favoring the status quo to indulging in false equivalence, the mainstream media engages in subtle, persistent biases.

Top editors and reporters, usually based in New York and Washington, want to be accepted into the circles of the powerful – not only for sources of news but also because such acceptance is psychologically seductive. It confers a degree of success. But once accepted, they can’t help but begin to see the world through the eyes of the powerful.

I follow the mainstream media, but I don’t limit myself to it. And I don’t rely on it to educate the public about bold, progressive ideas that would make America and the world fairer and stronger.

Source: What’s really wrong with the mainstream media | Robert Reich | The Guardian

Julian Assange

Demands to ‘Free Assange Now’ Surge Ahead of Ruling on US Extradition

A demonstration in support of Julian Assange in London

A U.K. court is set to rule Friday on whether WikiLeaks publisher and journalist Julian Assange can be extradited to the United States, an impending decision that led press freedom advocates and human rights campaigners to redouble their calls for his immediate release. “We fully believe that Assange has been targeted for his contributions to journalism.” “Freedom should be the only possible outcome for Assange,” Kristinn Hrafnsson, the editor-in-chief of WikiLeaks, said Thursday.

Source: Demands to ‘Free Assange Now’ Surge Ahead of Ruling on US Extradition

Capitalism

A century of Criminality: How the car and gas industry knew about the health risks of leaded fuel but sold it for 100 years anyway

Like the Sacklers and Purdue  the oil industry normalized death to ensure profits weren’t lost

By the early 1920s, the hazards of lead were well known – even Charles Dickens and Benjamin Franklin had written about the dangers of lead poisoning. When GM began selling leaded gasoline, public health experts questioned its decision. One called lead a serious menace to public health, and another called concentrated tetraethyl lead a “malicious and creeping” poison.

Source: A century of Criminality: How the car and gas industry knew about the health risks of leaded fuel but sold it for 100 years anyway

Trump

Appeals Court Rules Trump Must Turn Over Documents to Jan. 6 Committee – Mother Jones

Trump just works to delay. Delay is the only tactic he knows and Democracy gives him the space that he doesn’t give to those who work for him. They are simply get declared persona non grata by Trump who acts as police judge and jury whenever their useby date is up. Has anybody really ever profited from working for Trump? Many have despite o him if they weren’t essential or didn’t hang around too long but more often than not none did.

On Thursday, a federal appeals court ruled against former President Donald Trump, demanding he turn over White House records to the congressional committee investigating the January 6 Capitol riot.

Source: Appeals Court Rules Trump Must Turn Over Documents to Jan. 6 Committee – Mother Jones

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- Dictionaries don’t operate at the speed with which Morrison changes the language.
Illustration: Simon Letch

Fighting Fake Facts with REAL 10/12/21; Call for Royal Commission into Media; Murdoch Influence; LNP Regional Rorts; Morrison Humour; Oil-backed opposition to wind farms;

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Government, LNP Tactics

Morrison woos Gladys to attack ICAC – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Above all, Morrison’s backing of Gladys helps normalise corruption as a way of government and the price of doing business. Whilst it’s a dog-whistle to the “freedoms” mob demonstrating against being vaccinated and imported lies and conspiracies about a deep state, it is also an act of desperation born out a Machiavellian realpolitik that tells him his government needs to win at least one other seat in NSW. “Politics is governed by the iron laws of arithmetic” his mentor Howard drily opined in an absurd reduction that helps our democracy drown in cynicism and distrust. In reality as Tony Fitzgerald argues, we need every politician to acknowledge that “membership of a political party doesn’t excuse them from their personal obligations to act honourably, and political parties to understand that voters will only vote for politicians who make and keep promises to act ethically.”

Source: Morrison woos Gladys to attack ICAC – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Rampant rorts in the regions: how it happens – Michael West Media

regional rorts

A little administrative juggling, and an unlikely set of funding proposals magically turns into reality, writes Jommy Tee in his continuing series on regional grants.

Michael West Media (MWM) has previously outlined the corrupt process where 161 grants worth $165 million were manipulated by the ministerial panel overseeing BBRF Round 3 and Round 4 and heavily skewed to Coalition seats. Round 5 grants worth $300 million were announced in early October. Not surprisingly the grants were heavily skewed to government seats by the ministerial panel that interferes in the awarding of the grants, despite the evidence of government officials.

First, let’s turn to the secretary’s evidence. Labor’s Senator Murray Watt tried to drill down into the opaque process of the advice that the department provided to the ministerial panel. The secretary responded:

… it may be in the nature of our advice into the cabinet deliberations, which, ordinarily — I think it is in the public interest for us to be able to do that in a way that remains private for governments of all persuasions going forward.

An extraordinary statement from the head of a department that oversees among others the rorted Community Development Grants, Urban Congestion Fund, and Commuter Car Park Fund.

Source: Rampant rorts in the regions: how it happens – Michael West Media

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Theft, Social Welfare under LNP

Robo-revenue raising too tempting for greedy governments

Illustration: Simon Letch

But, as with so many things, new technology can be used for good or ill. The most egregious case of government misuse of technology was surely Centrelink’s “automated income compliance program” aka robo-debt. Here, a dodgy algorithm was used to accuse people on benefits of understating their income over many years and to demand repayment. Despite assurances by the two ministers responsible – Christian Porter and Alan Tudge – that all was fair and above board, huge anxiety was caused to many unjustly accused poor people. The Coalition government obfuscated for years before a court finally ruled the program unlawful and the government agreed to return $1.8 billion. For a scheme intended to cut costs, it was an immoral own goal.

Source: Robo-revenue raising too tempting for greedy governments

Peter Dutton

Peter Dutton ordered to pay part of legal bill in defamation case

“Everyone is equal before the law,” warned a Federal Court judge in rejecting Peter Dutton’s claim for indemnity costs against a Twitter user he sued in the “expensive” forum. The Defence Minister sued refugee advocate Shane Bazzi for defamation and was awarded $35,000 in damages following a six-word tweet in February that said Mr Dutton “is a rape apologist”.  Justice White ordered Mr Bazzi pay Mr Dutton’s costs on a scale equitable as if the lawsuit was filed in a Queensland magistrates court, querying why he had not done so. Mr Dutton was ordered to pay 50 per cent of Mr Bazzi’s legal costs for Wednesday’s hearing. Barrister Hamish Clift for Mr Dutton submitted his client’s reputation required the vindication of a nationally recognised court, given his stature and prominent position as a cabinet minister. But Justice White said the relatively small defamation claim could have been solved in a lower court saving both parties significant expense.

Source: Peter Dutton ordered to pay part of legal bill in defamation case

IPA

The IPA rolls out ugly campaign against the ABC

We have seen the IPA’s and Murdoch’s influence when it comes to attacking the ABC. They had Tony Abbott their puppet on a string as far back as 2013 with a list of 75 demands. He promised: “No cuts to the ABC”. a lie that turned into Treasurer Morrison’s claim that $1Bn wasn’t a cut but an efficiency review. or improvement.

Yes, Kennedy wasn’t assassinated either his heart merely stopped. “Alternative Facts” have been finessed by the LNP and Morrison is the major practitioner of the art. Remember when he couldn’t reveal anything of refugees because those questions were “On the Water Matters”?

The Institute of Public Affairs is seeking to harm the ABC’s reputation, while questions linger over its own operations and purpose, writes Anthony Klan. WELL-HEELED secretive lobby group the Institute of Public Affairs (IPA), which seeks to influence Australia’s public debate, sway government policy – and is running an aggressive campaign against the nation’s most trusted news outlet – is refusing to say who actually funds it.

Source: The IPA rolls out ugly campaign against the ABC

Uncategorized

Australia’s voters hold government and the news media in contempt – and the contagion is spreading | Peter Lewis | The Guardian

Scott Morrison

I certainly have more trust in what I can glean from Independent media and journalists found on the Internet than any in any MSM. The ABC while severely diminished in the past 8 years under the unconstitutional attack of the LNP, IPA and Murdoch media still remains a greater source of trusted information. More than any found at News Corp Sky, Ch9, 7 or 10. The Government on the other hand has itself become the most mistrusted source of “alternative facts”, the greatest re-arranger of language and “normalizer of corruption practiced by politicians”. The LNP has redefined the concept of political representation and community service to simply regard us as a  bull in a herd of cows. There is however still only one party in Australia that adheres to any sense of Democracy and whose policies are still based on the principle of service for the good of all humans rather than merely maintaining systems and organizations in place that have run past their use-by date and no longer do.

After a short renaissance in public trust in 2020, figures in this week’s Guardian Essential Report show the majority of Australians end the year with little or no trust in the information we receive from government, with similar disdain for the output of the traditional news media and other institutions involved in public discourse.

Source: Australia’s voters hold government and the news media in contempt – and the contagion is spreading | Peter Lewis | The Guardian

Capitalism

How Capitalism Stole Your Lunch Break

At one time, lunch meant a real break from work and a hot meal. But for many of us in today’s workplace, it means a precious few minutes at your own desk wolfing down food before you go back to work. It’s time to take your lunch break back.

Source: How Capitalism Stole Your Lunch Break

Uncategorized

Oil-Backed Group Opposes Offshore Wind for Environmental Reasons

The GE-Alstom Block Island Wind Farm stands in the water off Block Island, Rhode Island, U.S., on Wednesday, Sept, 14, 2016. The installation of five 6-megawatt offshore-wind turbines at the Block Island project gives turbine supplier GE-Alstom first-mover advantage in the U.S. over its rivals Siemens and MHI-Vestas. Photographer: Eric Thayer/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Local think tanks that previously supported offshore drilling have engaged in a wide-ranging campaign to stop the expansion of offshore wind farms.

Source: Oil-Backed Group Opposes Offshore Wind for Environmental Reasons

America's Shame

Destroying Democracy Can Make You Very Rich | The Smirking Chimp

The American Experiment after 450 years has proven to be on the brink of failure. 1) With No guarantee of a universal or compulsory voting system the nullification of voting has become the Republican reason for being. In a Democracy all parties must be prepared to lose and they aren’t 2) There appears to be no constitutional or uniform or path that guarantees the independant management of the electoral process itself 3) Gerrymandering, the election of referees and disputes are held in courts and institutions where there is no unbiased Separation of Powers 4) When it comes to transparency and an informed electorate there is no constitutionally guaranteed truely independent publicly funded national broadcaster. No real, financially free media.  5) Corporations whose primary interest is the interest of their shareholders have the same status and rights as citizens. They are organized and fund politicians of their choosing. 6) American Freedom witnessed almost 14,000 gun deaths in one year. While the  UK saw  30. That alone spells Anarchy lunacy and not Democracy.

On one hand, it’s hard not to laugh. Who cares if Trump and his buddies separate MAGA fools from their money? On the other hand, the problem is these frauds aren’t merely frauds. They really are financing what is so far an extremely successful effort to lay the groundwork for stealing the 2024 election. The fascist movement is very real, even if there’s a lot of fraud wound into it by leaders hoping to get their beaks wet while they end democracy. Our legal system’s inability to deal with the fraud aspect is just a symptom of a larger problem, which is a failure to deal with these arsonists of democracy at all. If that doesn’t change, this country will have a lot more to worry about than idiot retirees emptying out their bank accounts for the latest “stop the steal” scam.

Source: Destroying Democracy Can Make You Very Rich | The Smirking Chimp

Trump

Trump Continues to Glorify the January 6 Insurrection – Mother Jones

Trump repeats what he said about Charlottesville “good and bad on both sides” and Americans have a right to protest.

“It was a massive rally, with hundreds and hundreds of thousands of people,” Trump claimed in response to Farage’s question. “I think it was the largest crowd I’ve ever spoken before. And the real—I reverse it—the insurrection took place on November 3rd, that was Election Day, and before and after. That was to me, the insurrection. And January 6th was a protest.” Trump then reiterated his claims about crowd size along with another familiar tactic meant to deceive the public about the horrific events at the Capitol: “And then, unfortunately, some bad things happened,” he told Farage, “but also, the other side had some very bad things happen.”

Source: Trump Continues to Glorify the January 6 Insurrection – Mother Jones

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- Is Morrison backing up with Public Service contracts for donors or driving away with donations? Driving away because it’s a small ute. He’d have to back up a train for the private contracts
Australia election campaign, government efficiency

Fighting Fake News with REAL 9/12/21; Truth in Humour; Privatising Public Service. LNP Efficiency;

Informed Comment

Don’t be so reckless: Coalition government is anything but efficient – Michael West Media

Australia election campaign, government efficiency

 

With an election looming, the Coalition government will attempt to recultivate its image as the party for efficient government, and Labor as the party of bureaucratic red tape. Callum Foote investigates how the government has been run.

Source: Don’t be so reckless: Coalition government is anything but efficient – Michael West Media

Scott Morrison

Michael Pascoe: Attacking ICAC is all about Morrison, not Gladys

Morrison Pascoe

Funny thing about the federal government’s orchestrated multiple “Gladys for Warringah” media moments: They weren’t really about a former Liberal premier perhaps running for a former Liberal prime minister’s seat. They were about lessening the damage Scott Morrison is suffering from telling lies and running what is arguably the most corrupt Commonwealth government in our 120 years of federation.

Source: Michael Pascoe: Attacking ICAC is all about Morrison, not Gladys