Author: peterimrich

LNP

Michael O’Brien’s leadership in doubt as Liberal spill proposed as early as Tuesday

Leadership tussle: Michael O’Brien, Brad Battin and Matthew Guy.

Mr Guy is seen by supporters to have better political instincts and cut-through than Mr O’Brien. Some MPs think the former leader, who was heavily defeated in the 2018 poll, has more energy in front of the camera, an attribute that is crucial for relevance-deprived oppositions who have struggled to achieve success across the country during the pandemic. However, Mr Guy will probably come under scrutiny for his rezoning decisions as planning minister in the previous Liberal government, as well as the infamous “lobster with a mobster” scandal sparked by his dining with an alleged mafia leader. Mr O’Brien begun contacting MPs to shore up support on Sunday evening. Neither Mr Guy nor his supporters were returning calls from The Age on Sunday night.

Source: Michael O’Brien’s leadership in doubt as Liberal spill proposed as early as Tuesday

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Government, LNP Tactics

The new human rights commissioner has perfect credentials (Lib, IPA, 18c)

Why is the Australian government devoid of any original strategic tactics of it’s own? Every move they make is directly from Trump’s American Republican Party the GOP? They don’t appear to have any specific tactics that are in any way Australian. They aren’t in anyway transparent but only intent on gaslighting the Australian electorate.

Yesterday the federal government quietly appointed Lorraine Finlay as the next human rights commissioner. She is a Murdoch University legal academic and human trafficking specialist with the Australian mission to ASEAN. Media releases from Attorney-General Michaelia Cash and the Australian Human Rights Commission both praised Finlay’s academic expertise and work in international human rights law. But they neglected to mention hers deep ties to the Liberal Party, as a former upper house candidate in Western Australia and president of the state’s Liberal women’s council. They also overlooked her years spent vocally taking positions that might put her at odds with the AHRC.

Source: The new human rights commissioner has perfect credentials (Lib, IPA, 18c)

Informed Comment

Frydenberg dubiously claims Australia’s lagging economy ‘leads the pack’

Australia’s economic growth is at a 30-year low relative to comparable countries, yet the Treasurer claims it is now a world leader. Alan Austin reports.

LAST WEEK’S economic growth figures confirm three realities the Morrison Government desperately wants concealed.

First, that economic outcomes are far below where they should be given global conditions and the relatively well-controlled pandemic, except in NSW.

Second, that the Morrison Government is clearly the worst at economic management in Australia’s post-war history. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has achieved the poorest outcomes of any post-war treasurer.

Third, that Australia’s craven mainstream media continue to treat citizens with contempt by reporting these appalling outcomes deceptively – if at all – and refusing to expose the Government’s blatant lies.

 

Source: Frydenberg dubiously claims Australia’s lagging economy ‘leads the pack’

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- Morrison stole 4 mill Pfizer vaccines destined for the poor effectively hand-balling his supply delay to them. Then calling the scam “his leadership” in effect “our shame”.
May be an image of 4 people and text that says 'Craig Emerson @DrCraigEmerson aibtt Our PM said today: "Ultimately everything is state matter." He the first PM in Australia's history to declare the position of Australian PM redundant.'

Fighting Fake News with REAL; 6/9/21; Morrison a PM for himself; His Pfizer Scam; Murdoch’s reversal brought on by advertisers;

Steve Bannon

Heeding Steve Bannon’s Call, Election Deniers Organize to Seize Control of the GOP—and Reshape America’s Elections – Mother Jones

One of the loudest voices urging Donald Trump’s supporters to push for overturning the presidential election results was Steve Bannon. “We’re on the point of attack,” Bannon, a former Trump adviser and far-right nationalist, pledged on his popular podcast on Jan. 5. “All hell will break loose tomorrow.” The next morning, as thousands massed on the National Mall for a rally that turned into an attack on the Capitol, Bannon fired up his listeners: “It’s them against us. Who can impose their will on the other side?” When the insurrection failed, Bannon continued his campaign for his former boss by other means. On his “War Room” podcast, which has tens of millions of downloads, Bannon said President Trump lost because the Republican Party sold him out. “This is your call to action,” Bannon said in February, a few weeks after Trump had pardoned him of federal fraud charges. The solution, Bannon announced, was to seize control of the GOP from the bottom up. Listeners should flood into the lowest rung of the party structure: the precincts. “It’s going to be a fight, but this is a fight that must be won, we don’t have an option,” Bannon said on his show in May. “We’re going to take this

Source: Heeding Steve Bannon’s Call, Election Deniers Organize to Seize Control of the GOP—and Reshape America’s Elections – Mother Jones

Law

Don’t Compare Texas Abortion law to Islamic Law: Most Muslims are and have been More Liberal

In Europe, Malta, San Marino, Liechtenstein, Poland, the Vatican, Monaco and Andorra ban or severely restrict abortion. Ireland only allowed some abortions in a 2018 referendum, and most of the subsequent some 6,000 terminations have been before the passage of 12 weeks. These countries have these laws because of the stance of the Roman Catholic Church and because secular majorities have not challenged them as has happened in many European Catholic-majority countries. This issue is not along a Christian-Muslim or East-West axis.

Source: Don’t Compare Texas Abortion law to Islamic Law: Most Muslims are and have been More Liberal

Taliban

Afghanistan: Mullah Baradar promises ‘inclusive’ government | Taliban News | Al Jazeera

Screenshot 2021-09-05 at 10-17-50 Afghanistan Mullah Baradar promises ‘inclusive’ government

Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar, the head of the Taliban’s political office, has told Al Jazeera the group is in the process of forming an inclusive government following its lightning takeover of the country last month. “I assure the people that we strive to improve their living conditions, and that the government will be responsible to everyone and will provide security because it is necessary for economic development, not just in Afghanistan but in the whole world,” he said in the capital, Kabul.

Source: Afghanistan: Mullah Baradar promises ‘inclusive’ government | Taliban News | Al Jazeera

Climate

UN: Climate-Driven Extreme Weather Disasters since 1970 increased 5-Fold, costing Trillions

The World Meteorological Organization and the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction have issued a report finding that in the past 50 years, 11,000 droughts, storms, extreme temperature and other extreme weather events have accounted for 50 percent of all disasters and three-fourths of known economic losses, totaling $3.64 trillion. They killed over two million people. Scientists have found that the climate emergency from our burning coal, gasoline and natural gas has intensified droughts, superstorms, and heat waves and made droughts and heat waves more frequent. Droughts and hurricanes/ cyclones were the biggest killers, accounting for 650k and 577k deaths respectively. Most of these disasters, which aren’t natural any more given how much stronger human burning of fossil fuels has made them, have increased exponentially in their cost. In the 1970s, each such disaster used to cost about $50 million each day of the year. Today, the typical cost is $383 mn. per day.

Source: UN: Climate-Driven Extreme Weather Disasters since 1970 increased 5-Fold, costing Trillions

Scott Morrison

‘Moral outrage’: Wealthy nations will have 1.2 billion vaccine doses they don’t need

The vaccine stockpiles in rich countries are growing rapidly, while many countries are missing out.

Morrison grabbed 4 million Pfizer doses the wealthy nations like the UK and Singapore no longer needed calling it “a loan”. He actually Insured our pain, his failure in supply of vaccines to us will be felt by the lower income regions. Morrison’s delay will now be theirs as in effect he’s jumped the queue. While he’s claiming hero status he’s doing what Trump did. In an effort to boost himself he’s  growing and magnifying Australia’s shame.

London: Wealthy countries face mounting pressure to divert COVID-19 vaccine supplies to lower-income regions, with a new analysis showing they’ll likely have about 1.2 billion extra doses available by the end of the year.

Source: ‘Moral outrage’: Wealthy nations will have 1.2 billion vaccine doses they don’t need

COVID-19

More than 1500 new COVID cases in NSW | The New Daily

Playing with the heads of Nova Castrians Hazzard tells them the “good news”

More than 1500 new locally transmitted COVID-19 cases have been reported in NSW – another record high – and four deaths. Announcing 1533 cases on Saturday morning, Health Minister Brad Hazzard stressed that vaccinate rates were the “good news”.

Source: More than 1500 new COVID cases in NSW | The New Daily

Energy

2021 Toyota Mirai: Australia’s First Hydrogen Car On Sale To The Public

2021 Toyota Mirai: Australia's first hydrogen car on sale to the public 'within a couple of years'

Not if Morrison can help it

Australians will be able to buy a hydrogen-powered car within “a couple of years” – as soon as enough refuelling points are installed so motorists aren’t left stranded.

Source: 2021 Toyota Mirai: Australia’s First Hydrogen Car On Sale To The Public

Murdoch Media

Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers, 24-hour news channel to champion net zero emissions

News Corp is preparing a company-wide campaign focused on reducing carbon net emissions.

Rupert Murdoch’s global media empire has faced growing international condemnation and pressure from advertisers over its editorial stance on climate change, which has long cast doubt over the science behind global warming and has since 2007 attacked various federal government efforts to reduce emissions. The unrelenting negative publicity peaked in global outlets such as The New York Times and Financial Times during Australia’s deadly bushfires almost two years ago, which triggered a comment from Murdoch’s youngest son, James Murdoch, who publicly denounced the outlets’ “ongoing denial” of climate change. Mr Murdoch quit the News Corp board last August, citing concerns about its editorial stance. From October 17, the company will run a two-week campaign that will advocate for a carbon net zero target to be reached by 2050, which is expected to focus heavily on jobs in a decarbonised economy, particularly blue-collar industries such as mining, resources and agriculture. The campaign, according to multiple sources familiar with the plans who spoke anonymously because they are confidential, said it will be fronted by news.com.au columnist and former Studio 10 host, Joe Hildebrand.

Source: Rupert Murdoch’s newspapers, 24-hour news channel to champion net zero emissions

LNP, LNP Government

JobKeeper : Welfare for the Wealthy ? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Tonight, Sixty Minutes is doing a piece on this massive rorting of public money but evidently Frydenberg was not available to be interviewed : perhaps he had to wash his hair !

Source: JobKeeper : Welfare for the Wealthy ? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment, Scott Morrison

Morrison in damage control | The Saturday Paper

May be an image of 1 person

Scott Morrison is flailing about as he struggles to get back on the “narrow path” he keeps talking about to deliver him another election victory. Nowhere is this more obvious than the desperate damage control he embarked on earlier this week, when it was obvious he had misread the mood of the nation. Most particularly, what had escaped him was the deeper concerns of people in states free of Covid-19. It was a contrite Scott Morrison who on Tuesday blitzed the radio airwaves in Hobart, Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane. He was on air to offer a new, conciliatory message. While we are all on a journey to a safer future, thanks to vaccination, he said, “we are starting from different places”. Rather than deny the bleeding obvious, as he seemed to the previous week, he was now stating it. He said: “There isn’t a common Covid position across the country”, just a common destination. On Perth radio he even praised West Australian Premier Mark McGowan for keeping his citizens safe and claimed an almost special relationship with him. This was despite the premier describing Morrison’s demands for border openings as “madness”. No doubt the prime minister has a keen eye to holding his 11 of 16 seats

Source: Morrison in damage control | The Saturday Paper

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought – In NSW “It’s Good News” according to Hazzard alternative fact

Fighting Fake News with REAL 5/9/21; Afghanistan, 2021 Gender Pay Gap; Human Rights Violations; NSW Gov’s Good News; Hazzard;

China

What’s Left of Communism in China? | The Nation

China Marks 100th Anniversary Of CPC's Founding

Thus the CCP’s role in the private sector increasingly resembles the one it has in state-owned enterprises. Focused on its own survival,displaying pragmatism, and even an ideological vacuum, it is bringing a growing number of capitalists into its ranks, as it becomes ever more present in companies. This asymmetrical alliance is found outside national borders: The Belt and Road Initiative is accelerating the internationalization of Chinese companies, both private and public, which are creating party cells abroad to supervise their employees. While it has set aside Maoist internationalism, the CCP is now exporting its organizational mode and disciplinary tools.

Source: What’s Left of Communism in China? | The Nation

Afghanistan

Afghanistan is a warning of global denialism

As denialism becomes a growing problem around the world, one only needs to consider the Afghanistan situation as a potential warning for our future, writes Robert Niven. THE PRECIPITOUS COLLAPSE in Afghanistan compels all of us in the West to contemplate Athena, the Greek goddess of war, also the goddess of wisdom in science and the arts.

Source: Afghanistan is a warning of global denialism

America's Shame

Will the End of the Afghanistan War provoke Reconsideration of American Militarism?

They could change their embargo and sanction policies on Cuba but won’t

The United States could help to rebuild Afghanistan, after having bombed the country back to the stone age (to use the old Cold War idiom). Instead, it is now washing its hands of the situation and leaving. Similarly, Washington could end support for free-market policies that impose poverty on millions of people. But it shows no signs of shifting course. As such, both Democratic and Republican governments are set to continue the Cold War’s history of military intervention, with all the destruction and economic inequality that they entail.

Source: Will the End of the Afghanistan War provoke Reconsideration of American Militarism?

Informed Comment

Why are you so concerned, Poppa? (part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day We dislike and resist change in the foolish assumption that we can make permanent that which makes us feel secure. Yet change is in fact part of the very fabric of our existence. ( John Lord )

Source: Why are you so concerned, Poppa? (part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

LNP, LNP Government, LNP Policy, LNP Tactics

Sussan Ley approves first coal project since court rules she owes children duty of care | Sussan Ley | The Guardian

Port Kembla steelworks and coal loading facility

Yes Minister and Politi-Speak : Sussan Ley controls the world’s coal demand and use

Ley wrote that she had found the mine’s expansion was unlikely to lead to an increase in global average surface temperatures, based on advice she received from the department. She said this was because the mine was unlikely to cause more coal to be consumed globally than would be consumed if she refused the project. She also found the project was unlikely to cause harm to human safety because it was likely that a comparable amount of coal would be consumed in its place if she rejected the development. She concluded that this meant the project would not result in an increase in global greenhouse gas emissions – a finding Lock the Gate labelled “bizarre”.

Source: Sussan Ley approves first coal project since court rules she owes children duty of care | Sussan Ley | The Guardian

Murdoch Media

Executive decision: Lachlan Murdoch turns back on media inquiry to reopen Fox News | Amanda Meade | The Guardian

Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch

Remember when Rupert used the Alan Bond defense in the UK. Lachlan flees Australia to avoid an inquiry. Is this a case of son-like father?

Murdoch and his family have been living in Sydney since March, and Fox’s executive chairman is returning to Los Angeles next week to reopen Fox News’s operational head office while Sarah and the children remain in the harbour city.

Source: Executive decision: Lachlan Murdoch turns back on media inquiry to reopen Fox News | Amanda Meade | The Guardian

Informed Comment

Crikey Worm: Paul Keating shoots down Australian ‘antagonism’

Paul Keating

Former PM Paul Keating has shot down Australia’s “irresponsible” antagonism towards China, and climate change once again comes into the global spotlight as the US is rocked by Hurricane Ida.

Source: Crikey Worm: Paul Keating shoots down Australian ‘antagonism’

LNP Government

Human rights violations now enshrined in legislation – in Australia – Michael West Media

Identify and Disrupt Bill

Last week, the Morrison government, supported by the ALP, passed a law that allows for security agencies, on the most flimsy of pretexts, to access and manipulate the electronic data of any citizen. It continues the slide into authoritarianism that started with the Tampa affair 20 years ago.

Source: Human rights violations now enshrined in legislation – in Australia – Michael West Media

Australia's pride, Australia's Shame

The Nouveau Poor – gender pay gap, super inequality stretched in pandemic – Michael West Media

nouveau poor

Sixty one. That’s the additional number of days women currently have to work in a financial year to earn as much as their male counterparts. And when it comes to superannuation, the gender gap gets worse, writes Harry Chemay.

Source: The Nouveau Poor – gender pay gap, super inequality stretched in pandemic – Michael West Media

Scott Morrison

Hurried Pfizer and the blusterer’s stone | The Monthly

Image of Prime Minister Scott Morrison speaking at a press conference today. Image via ABC News

Self-aggrandizement is no substitute for half-baked apologies that allowed the Covid-shit hit the fan. Too late to claim how great the car your selling is when it has been dinged too many times to be declared roadworthy. That car by the way is a Scott Morrison.

Dan Andrews is right to be concerned that the PM selling himself and it might result in the cancellation of  AZ jabs  already booked. Plus Morrison’s track record of delivering vaccines has been slow when they have had an available and with a “full-life expectancy”. He now claims he’s able to deliver ones whose ” use-by dates” are almost up and  which both the UK and Singapore are happy to rid themselves of. Like all of Morrison’s promises this one too is dodgy as hell while it’s primary objective is to polish the turd. He’s seen the polls.

PM noting that he wasn’t leaving any stone unturned – now that things are dire, it seems. “I can tell you I’ve been turning over some stones in recent times,” he remarked, boasting that this deal would allow the country to reopen sooner. The UK vaccine swap is undeniably good news, though as Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews implied in his concurrent press conference, let’s hope it doesn’t impact people’s willingness to take up the many AstraZeneca appointments available for this weekend. And, more to the point, why couldn’t Morrison – who, as it hardly bears repeating, told us for months that the vaccine rollout wasn’t a race – have tried turning over some stones before half the population was plunged into deep, dark vaccine-reliant lockdowns, which condemn the nation to another recession? Why couldn’t he have shown some basic care or urgency before it was his political life on the line? Morrison certainly does owe Boris a beer for getting him out of a tight spot. But the PM shouldn’t be expecting commendation for this face-saving announcement. The fact is Australia’s chance at a unified, orderly transition with the minimum amount of pain and suffering has been obliterated, all be

Source: Hurried Pfizer and the blusterer’s stone | The Monthly

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- There is a rainbow and a pot of gold with ALP out there

Fighting Fake News with REAL, 4/9/21, John Lord- Change; Polls, Coalition Vic assist the state; A Partisan Public Service;

America's Shame

The New Republican Supreme Court | The Smirking Chimp

Today’s cruel and partisan Supreme Court is squandering what remains of its authority. It is also imposing unnecessary suffering on those least able to bear it.

Source: The New Republican Supreme Court | The Smirking Chimp

Climate Change

‘The Climate Crisis Is an Inequality Crisis,’ Says Ocasio-Cortez After Deadly Storm Hits Northeast | Common Dreams News

Queens flooding Ida

Among the people MOST at risk during flash floods here are those living in off-the-books basement dwellings that don’t meet the safety codes necessary to save lives,” said the New York Democrat.

Source: ‘The Climate Crisis Is an Inequality Crisis,’ Says Ocasio-Cortez After Deadly Storm Hits Northeast | Common Dreams News

Politics

More fractured than ever: a toxic mix of policy and politics

Australia’s federation is now more fractured than at any time during this crisis.

We know the Morrison government is now totally focused on getting life back to some normality. It stresses this will be done “safely”. In fact, it is less a matter of opening “safely” than minimising the risks inevitable in opening. That goes beyond the state of the health system to include issues such as sub-groups in the population who might not be adequately vaccinated when the general community levels of 70% and 80% are reached. Dealing with the risks will demand more nuance than “the plan” seems to provide.

Source: More fractured than ever: a toxic mix of policy and politics

Climate Change

Is climate change to blame for extreme weather events? Attribution science says yes, for some – here’s how it works

Extreme rainfall and flooding have left paths of destruction through communities around the world this summer. In New York City, remnants of Hurricane Ida flooded streets and subway lines as more than 3.15 inches of rain fell in an hour and more than 7 inches fell in all on Sept. 1-2, 2021. A week earlier in Tennessee, a record-shattering 17 inches of rain fell in 24 hours, turning creeks into rivers that flooded hundreds of homes and killed 20 people. A lot of people are asking: Was it climate change? Answering that question isn’t so simple.

Source: Is climate change to blame for extreme weather events? Attribution science says yes, for some – here’s how it works

Fossil fuels

Why We Need Electric Cars: Climate-driven Hurricane Ida Knocked out Gulf Oil Production, 1/5 of US Refinery Capacity

Louisiana’s petroleum refineries are out of action in the wake of Hurricane Ida. Refineries run on electricity, and electricity has been knocked out in New Orleans and environs, perhaps for another couple of weeks. Here’s the kicker: Louisiana refineries account for nearly 1/5 of America’s refining capacity. Raw crude oil is just sludge, it is useless until it is refined. Then it becomes gasoline, diesel and other fuels.

Source: Why We Need Electric Cars: Climate-driven Hurricane Ida Knocked out Gulf Oil Production, 1/5 of US Refinery Capacity

Transparancy

Transurban says shift to per-kilometre charging on Australian roads should start now

Transurban says Australia needs to prepare for the shift to road user charging now.

The boss of $39 billion toll giant Transurban says Australia must start making plans to charge motorists for every kilometre they drive to pay for roads as the take-up of electrical vehicles erodes fuels excise revenue.

Source: Transurban says shift to per-kilometre charging on Australian roads should start now

Coal

Coal in China: The good, the bad and the ugly

The LNP arguments about not being contributors to the world’s CO2 emissions are rather pathetic. By our exports we are contributors to the largest global emitters.

there is no denying the ugly. As is true almost everywhere else, coal goes hand-in-hand with corruption. The projects commissioned by provincial governments were characterised by crony capitalism, with officials being bribed to provide cheap capital and disregard environmental and safety requirements. Centrally directed anti-corruption campaigns have had limited effects, particularly in provinces like Shanxi and Inner Mongolia where coal mining and new power plants are concentrated. There is little we in Australia can do to influence China. Our only contribution at this point will be to manage a transition away from dependence on thermal coal as an export industry. Sadly, there is no sign that our leaders are willing, let alone able, to undertake this task.

Source: Coal in China: The good, the bad and the ugly

Bipartisan Politics no go zone for the LNP

Senate demand for JobKeeper data escalates to threat of fines or jail for ATO boss – ABC News

Chris Jordan, his hands outstretched in an explanatory manner, speaks into a microphone

The political fight continues to reveal the names of private companies that saw revenues increase after receiving JobKeeper wage subsidies 18 per cent of JobKeeper payments that went to companies with rising revenue went to the construction industry 10 per cent went to firms in the retail industry

Source: Senate demand for JobKeeper data escalates to threat of fines or jail for ATO boss – ABC News

Informed Comment

“Mr Speaker, This Is Coalvid, Don’t Be Afraid, Embrace It, Step Toward The Light!” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Like the people who seem to be able to embrace the idea that we need to worry about mental health while not actually doing much to help people with mental health issues, as well as feeling like the budget has to get back to surplus but we need to give high income earnings tax cuts, as well as telling us that we can’t afford the NDIS but franking credits refunds to people who don’t earn a taxable income are no problem*, Gladys seems to be able to hold two seemingly contradictory positions at the same time. Yes, she was unlucky in love and that Maguire guy pulled the wool over her eyes, but she should stay Premier because she’s very astute and makes good decisions.

Source: “Mr Speaker, This Is Coalvid, Don’t Be Afraid, Embrace It, Step Toward The Light!” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Uncategorized

Australian Greens Are Building a Movement to End Neoliberalism

Australia’s Greens are poised to increase their vote in the next federal election. We talk to party leader Adam Bandt about challenging neoliberalism and confronting the climate crisis.

Source: Australian Greens Are Building a Movement to End Neoliberalism

Scott Morrison

Scott Morrison has an America problem, and News Corp can’t help him

Morrison is seen — in both the US Democrat and Australian foreign policy elite — as having brought a bit too much of his footy-fanboy-from-the-Shire schtick to his treatment of Trump. Worse, the US wants what Morrison doesn’t want to give — a meaningful commitment to the global embrace of climate action.

Source: Scott Morrison has an America problem, and News Corp can’t help him

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- What do you call a Government intent on destroying the planet? The Aussie LNP.

Fighting Fake News with REAL 3/9/21; Murdoch Media, Big Lie, Big oil’s philanthropy; New York; Coal NSW;

USA

Right Wing Extremists Eye Taliban Takeover As Model For US Civil War | Crooks and Liars

Right Wing Extremists Eye Taliban Takeover As Model For US Civil War

White supremacist and hard-right groups aligned with “conservatives” in this country are applauding the Taliban’s takeover of Afghanistan, lauding it as a model for a similar takeover of the United States.

Source: Right Wing Extremists Eye Taliban Takeover As Model For US Civil War | Crooks and Liars

Australia's Shame

U.S. Left Most Afghans Who Helped Americans Behind | HuffPost

Overall, the U.S. facilitated evacuation of about 117,000 people who were not U.S. citizens from Afghanistan, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Tuesday, although that figure includes more than just SIV applicants. More than 20,000 Afghan refugees were being housed at military bases within the U.S. as of Wednesday, with another 40,000 awaiting processing at military bases abroad, CBS News reported. All refugees and SIV applicants are extensively vetted.

Source: U.S. Left Most Afghans Who Helped Americans Behind | HuffPost

American Dream

Bernie Sanders Is Making His Pitch to Swing Voters

Bernie Sanders, who’s fighting to pass his ambitious $3.5 trillion reconciliation bill in the Senate, spent the past weekend on the road, doing something his Democratic colleagues seldom do: selling his ideas in swing states.

Source: Bernie Sanders Is Making His Pitch to Swing Voters

Informed Comment

Informed Comment- Robert Reich
Capitalism

‘Catastrophic Injustice’: Judge OKs Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Plan Shielding Sacklers | Common Dreams News

purdue

“The greed of some Sacklers fueled an opioid epidemic that has killed more than 500,000 Americans,” said Rick Claypool of Public Citizen.

Source: ‘Catastrophic Injustice’: Judge OKs Purdue Pharma Bankruptcy Plan Shielding Sacklers | Common Dreams News

Murdoch Media

Swiss study finds connection between watching Fox News and vaccination rates going down | Media Matters for America

fox vax 2

A new study from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zürich is providing some early statistical confirmation of something that doctors have only been able to report anecdotally: Fox News may actually be dragging down the COVID-19 vaccination rates of its own viewers — specifically, among younger viewers who Fox personalities insist don’t need to bother with it.

Source: Swiss study finds connection between watching Fox News and vaccination rates going down | Media Matters for America

Donald Trump

“What did Fox know?”: Trump calls out Fox News during interview with rival conservative network | Salon.com

Former US President Donald Trump (ANDY JACOBSOHN/AFP via Getty Images)

When Archie Bunker came to town

Donald Trump aired his personal grievances and spun election conspiracy theories during a one-on-one interview with the friendly One America News Network.

Source: “What did Fox know?”: Trump calls out Fox News during interview with rival conservative network | Salon.com

Uncategorized

Fox News accused of stoking violence after Tucker Carlson ‘revolt’ prediction | Fox News | The Guardian

Tucker Carlson said in Monday night’s monologue: ‘When leaders refuse to hold themselves accountable over time, people revolt. That happens.’

Fox News is driving political violence in the US, a media watchdog warned, after the primetime host Tucker Carlson predicted “revolt” against the Biden administration. In a Monday night monologue targeting the White House and military leaders over the US withdrawal from Afghanistan, Carlson demanded resignations. He also said: “When leaders refuse to hold themselves accountable over time, people revolt. That happens. “We need to change course immediately and start acknowledging our mistakes. The people who made them need to start acknowledging them or else the consequences will be awful.”Angelo Carusone, president and chief executive of Media Matters for America, a progressive group, said: “When there’s another big violent rightwing flashpoint that captures attention, way too many in media will wonder out loud: ‘How did this happen?’ ‘Were there the signs?’ “You don’t need to wade into the online fever-swamps to see the cauldron of extremism simmering. Fox News is ratcheting up heat and legitimising nightly. A

Source: Fox News accused of stoking violence after Tucker Carlson ‘revolt’ prediction | Fox News | The Guardian

LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

High-End Heist: Josh sells Pauline the dummy, JobKeeper heat rises – Michael West Media

Pauline Hanson

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and his big business patrons are in crisis mode amid rising demands to end the JobKeeper cover-up and disclose the transfer of billions to from average Australians to large and profitable companies. Michael West on the unfolding political drama.

Source: High-End Heist: Josh sells Pauline the dummy, JobKeeper heat rises – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Australian politics: Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg are odd housemates, but they’re tied together now

Mutual support, loneliness, convenience or a dose of good old-fashioned paranoia appears to have brought the two closer together. The object of that paranoia is Peter Dutton.

Frydenberg and Morrison are tied together by their apron strings now, but there is no knowing how or when it will end. Related Article Too often Scott Morrison finds himself on the backfoot. Editorial Scott Morrison Morrison’s leadership weaknesses all too clear The Age’s View The Age’s View Editorial In 2018 Frydenberg welched on a deal with best friend Greg Hunt to run for the deputy leadership which he won handsomely. He can be a mongrel when advancement beckons. In the first leadership ballot, enough of Morrison’s “God Squad” voted for Dutton to guarantee Malcolm Turnbull’s destruction. It didn’t stop Morrison throwing his arm around “my Prime Minister” Turnbull in front of cameras to deflect questions about his own ambition.

Source: Australian politics: Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg are odd housemates, but they’re tied together now

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- Swiss report proves that Murdoch media endangers life
fox vax 2

Fighting Fake News with REAL 2/9/21 JobKeeper Social Welfare for the Wealthy; Frydenberg Burns, Costs of War; Fox Effen Murdoch and it’s Propaganda