Well may Scott Morrison tear up as he relates how his daughters, wife and widowed mother drive his every decision. The facts are that every move of the Coalition government ensures women are poorer, more insecure at work and more vulnerable to violence on the job. The Industrial Relations bill pushed through last week is a final nail in the coffin for women. Alison Pennington reports.
Crocodile tears no mask for Coalition’s economic war on women – Michael West
And it was a close race between Deputy PM Michael McCordlessdrill, the aptly named Senator Ben Small, the PM himself, Scott “Big Dick-Swinging” Morrison and, proving there is always equality in idiocy, the good little woman and Minister for Women, Marise Payne. Another star-studded idiot episode!
Bloody Idiot of the Week — Episode 21: A couple of small pricks
The most dramatic change in American capitalism over the last half century has been the emergence of corporate behemoths like Amazon and the simultaneous shrinkage of organized labor. The resulting imbalance has spawned near-record inequalities of income and wealth, corruption of democracy by big money, and the abandonment of the working class.
Bessemer and the Power Shift | The Smirking Chimp
The wealthiest 1% of Americans fail to report more than 20% of their income to the IRS, and some of those ultra-rich people use “sophisticated evasion technologies” and criminal tactics to avoid paying their full share, according to a new analysis by researchers at the IRS and economists. The analysis estimated that the top 1% of households fail to report 21% of their income. Nearly a third of that is through sophisticated schemes that random IRS audits fail to detect. The trend is even starker among the top 0.1% of earners, whose unreported income may be twice as high as the IRS estimates.
Top 1% fails to report over 20% of income using potentially “criminal” tactics: IRS analysis | Salon.com
The Secret Rich List – one rule for the rich, another for the rest What are they trying to hide? This is the driving question behind our ‘Secret Rich List’ project at Michael West Media. Our aim is to shine the spotlight on the 1,119 large proprietary companies that continue to enjoy a privileged exemption from having to lodge financial reports to the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC).
The Secret Rich List – Michael West
‘They lost our receipts three times’: how getting an insurance payout can be a full-time job
As thousands of homes remain underwater in what appears to be yet another historic flood event in New South Wales, insurance companies are being inundated with calls from worried customers. The Sydney Morning Herald is reporting that Insurance Council of Australia has declared an insurance catastrophe following more than 5,000 claims over the weekend.
‘They lost our receipts three times’: how getting an insurance payout can be a full-time job
By 2029 public schools will be underfunded by $60 billion; private schools overfunded by $6 billion. In the decade to 2019, private schools received an extra $2,164 per student, public schools just $334 per student. The huge costs to society as a result of such disadvantage includes higher unemployment, poor health and low economic growth but Minister Alan Tudge claims the school funding wars over. Trevor Cobbold reports.
Disadvantage accelerates as private school funding rises six times public schools over the decade – Michael West
But it was little-known Nationals backbencher Michelle Landry who stoked controversy early on Tuesday, after praising the man who allegedly committed an act of self-pleasure on the desk of his boss.
Stunned reaction as MP ‘feels bad’ for staffer sacked over lewd sex act | The New Daily
But he came with no solutions, only a commitment to stand with women. It was a reset, a changing of the script. But without solutions it runs the risk of being seen as a political exercise in self-preservation. A spin job. A response to research and polling that is telling the government women are red hot with rage.
Has Scott Morrison changed the script on women and sexism, or is this political self-preservation? – ABC News
Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his Party now acknowledge that migration is crucial to economic growth and prosperity, writes Dr Abul Rizvi. AFTER TELLING temporary entrants to “go home” just 12 months ago and cutting the Migration Program ceiling by 30,000 per annum to “bust congestion” as part of his 2019 pre-election Population Plan, Scott Morrison now says we must overhaul temporary migration in the post-COVID era to fill rapidly emerging skill shortages.
Morrison’s forthcoming ‘U-turn’ on migration
Our alliance with the U.S. helps keep its war machine rolling, but the cost to Australia must be more carefully considered, writes Stephen Darley.
Repeatedly going to war: The cost of our U.S. alliance
The Great Hypocrisy of Right-Wingers Claiming ‘Cancel Culture’ | The Nation
“This is not America,” a woman said to a small group, her voice shaking. She was crying, hysterical. “They’re shooting at us. They’re supposed to shoot BLM, but they’re shooting the patriots.” ( Riots on Capitol Hill)
The Great Hypocrisy of Right-Wingers Claiming ‘Cancel Culture’ | The Nation
The number one goal of the GOP is voter suppression, with over 250 bills introduced in 43 states aimed at limiting voter rights and voter access.
Ted Cruz Confirms The GOP’s Biggest Fear Is More Americans Voting | Crooks and Liars
Racist pandemic comments may have sparked this wave of violence against Asian Americans, but in many ways it is simply the latest chapter in a much longer story.
Anti-Asian violence shares the same roots as the hatred plaguing all communities of color
Thousands of Israelis demonstrated Saturday at various places against Israeli prime minister Binyamin Netanyahu, who is being tried for corruption, as the country goes to the polls Tuesday. This was the 39th consecutive weekly demonstration against the beleageured prime minister, who polls suggest faces an extremely close election. If he loses, and if the courts convict him, he could go to jail like his predecessor, Ehud Olmert. The biggest demonstration was staged in Jerusalem in front of the prime minister’s official residence, with an estimated 20,000 joining in. It was the largest such rally since they began last week.
Tens of Thousands Protest “Crime Minister” Netanyahu in Israel as his Political Survival hangs in Balance
Political terrorism is all coming from the right now. Why can’t ASIO admit it?
ASIO now has real, violent movements to deal with — none of which come from the left. Its new labels for ‘terrorism’ are ridiculous.
Political terrorism is all coming from the right now. Why can’t ASIO admit it?
Improving your brain fitness
Can you make your brain work harder?
Dutton pilfers taxpayer money $465 to fly to Marochydore for private event. But slams the door shut on a disabled kid.
If Kayaan Katyal didn’t have a disability, he’d likely be an Australian permanent resident by now. But the six-year-old was born with cerebral palsy. For that reason alone, Australia wants to deport him.
The Australian kids Home Affairs wants to deport because of a disability
For a conservative government obsessed with bringing its budget into line and eradicating six years of its own deficits, JobKeeper at first glance looked like a scheme lifted straight from the texts of the much-reviled John Maynard Keynes. Roundly proclaimed as a game changer when introduced, there’s no doubt the $90 billion flagship scheme was wildly successful. It kept 3.6 million Australians off the dole queue and tied to their employer. And as a secondary political benefit, that had the happy effect of obscuring the true level of unemployment, which only counted those on JobSeeker.
How JobKeeper turned into profit maker – ABC News
After looking into one of their main issues, I have to agree with Republicans: Our elections are being rigged.
Our Elections Are Being Rigged | The Smirking Chimp
U.S. special operations forces deployed to 154 countries, or roughly 80 percent of the world’s nations, last year, but information about exactly where elite forces conduct missions, under what authorities they operate, who they’ve killed, and whether they’re adhering to the laws of armed conflict is closely guarded, buried in obscure legal provisions, shrouded in secrecy, or allegedly unknown even to Special Operations Command.
Will the Biden Administration Shine Light on Special Ops Programs?
Democrats are trying to expand voting rights to “illegal aliens” and “child molesters,” he claimed, and Republicans must do all they can to stop them. If they push through far-reaching election legislation now before the Senate, the GOP won’t win elections again for generations, he said. Asked if there was room to compromise, Cruz was blunt: “No.”
Ted Cruz To Republicans: Do Not Compromise On Harsher Voting Restrictions | HuffPost
“Cancel culture will try to block this. But you know who they can’t block? They can’t block me, they can’t block you, and they are not going to block this show,” Dr. Siegel whined. I’m shocked Siegel didn’t mention Pepe LePew or Mr. Potato Head. Remember this?
Dr. Mark Siegel Should Have His Medical License Suspended | Crooks and Liars
Over 50,000 demand Benjamin Netanyahu resign for his indictments for bribery, fraud and breach of trust.
Large Pro-Democracy, Anti-Netanyahu Pre-Election Protest in Jerusalem | Common Dreams News
Since the Coalition won government in 2013, everything remaining that was good and worthwhile in this country has been trashed by the idiots who are theoretically in charge of running the country. All they are actually achieving is running us and our standards down to the level of the convicts and their keepers who first invaded this land. I am no Labor supporter, either, but I do want a government which shows a capacity to understand and cater for people’s needs. And, most importantly, recognises that equality of opportunity is a universal right! Instead we have a national government which has dragged a country, which once had enormous potential, into a ramshackle mess.
When will humanity, compassion, honesty and basic decency regain their places in our lives? – » The Australian Independent Media Network
The retailer said it would pay dividends totalling $249m, of which Gerry Harvey is set to receive $78m due to his 31.4% shareholding in the company. Despite this, they declined to pay back the estimated $22 million they somehow collected for JobKeeper, a payment they should never have qualified to receive. But that’s all fine and dandy with the Treasurer apparently who won’t be asking for the money back from any of the companies who claimed the payment despite making higher profits. As Secretary of the ACTU Sally McManus pointed out, “They have no qualms about requesting and forcing people to pay back Centrelink payments – no problem with that whatsoever. Somehow we’re all supposed to sit back and say ‘oh well that’s OK, that’s just the rules that apply to big business in this country’.
How good is Gerry! – » The Australian Independent Media Network
As The Australian’s 2019 Power List reported, there are only a couple of women among Scott Morrison’s “inner circle” of friends and advisers. Nor is there a surfeit in his parliamentary team. The Liberal Party has always resisted quotas for women, but it has not put enough effort into identifying and preparing women for preselection to obviate the need for them. The lack of electable women representing the party is compounded by a lack of female strategic input. Slowly but surely this is adding up to a lack of women voters.
Scott Morrison is not a misogynist, what he lacks is a female inner circle
More than 250,000 virus jabs have been administered in Australia so far, a long way off the four million Prime Minister Scott Morrison said would be complete by the end of March.
Australian GPs concerned about delays in vaccine rollout
Oil companies knew 50 years ago the huge damage they were doing. Their motive to ignore it is the same now as it was then
The planet cannot survive our remorseless pursuit of profit | Oil | The Guardian
The spine-chilling attacks on Asian-Americans around the country, in San Francisco, New York, and now most bloodily in Atlanta, are manifestations of a white supremacism that has deep roots in American history. The odious Trump and his minions whipped up hatred by branding the novel coronavirus the “Chinese flu” or “Kung Flu.” He was not doing something new. The coronavirus, of course, came to the United States from Europe.
Attacks on Asian Americans are Rooted in over a Century of Racist Exclusion
On March 16, eight people, including six Asian women, were shot and killed by a gunman who embarked on a shooting spree through three Atlanta spas. Despite evidence that the gunman targeted Asian businesses, Tucker Carlson skipped over any attempt to inform the public of the events that took place or to memorialize the victims, instead diving straight into attacking anyone discussing the potential role of race in the attacks as divisive.
Tucker Carlson shifts blame from white supremacists to Black people for rise in violence against Asian Americans | Media Matters for America
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Partially Shut Due To COVID-19 Outbreak | HuffPost
Former President Donald Trump’s Palm Beach club has been partially closed because of a COVID outbreak.
Trump’s Mar-a-Lago Partially Shut Due To COVID-19 Outbreak | HuffPost
Texas Wax Museum Removes Trump Figure Because People Keep Punching It
Removed: People Keep Punching Wax Dummy Of President Stupid | Crooks and Liars
“They don’t like me, and I don’t like them”. In one simple sentence, a young man laid bare his experience of the often fraught relationship between Indigenous children and police.
Division in trust over Indigenous deaths in custody continues as recent events open up old wounds – ABC News
Australian diplomacy has been on the decline and independence is necessary in order to repair foreign relations, writes Dr Alison Broinowski.
Diplomacy in decline: Filling Australia’s foreign policy void
Three years ago, Sky was trumpeting this larger footprint when it signed the historic deal with Win to launch in 30 markets to a potential audience of 8 million people. But along came Nine Entertainment last week to ruin the party by inking a new seven-year deal to broadcast its metropolitan free-to-air television channels 9, 9GO!, 9GEM and 9Life into the regional markets, displacing Sky because it has no room. Sky News did not respond to a request for comment.”
Be Thankful for small blessings ! – » The Australian Independent Media Network
It turns out that most of the companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange didn’t need the government’s JobKeeper payment, so healthy has their rebound been, and most of them have decided they’re keeping the money.It turns out that most of the companies listed on the Australian Stock Exchange didn’t need the government’s JobKeeper payment, so healthy has their rebound been, and most of them have decided they’re keeping the money.
Here’s a riddle: What does a Centrelink recipient have in common with Gerry Harvey? – ABC News
Prime Minister Scott Morrison had a speaking invitation at last December’s global leaders Climate Ambition Summit withdrawn UK Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab confirmed to the ABC Australia had failed to meet the required terms to attendance Australia’s Minister for Energy and Emissions Reduction, Angus Taylor, says Australia is meeting and beating its emissions reduction targets
British foreign minister explains why Scott Morrison’s climate invitation was withdrawn – ABC News
With the new conspiracy indictment, prosecutors have now brought charges against a total of 13 people identified in court papers as members of the Proud Boys.
Four Proud Boys Indicted For Conspiracy In Capitol Attack | Crooks and Liars
If a Mango Mussolini says get your vaccine, but Fox News doesn’t cover it, does it make a sound in the forest?
Fox News Failed To Cover Donald’s Call To Get Vaccinated | Crooks and Liars
Despite his failings as Finance Minister and his reputation as a climate change criminal, Mathias Cormann will now head the OECD, writes Ketan Joshi.
Climate wrecker Mathias Cormann appointed head of OECD
Meaa president says members ‘dissatisfied’ with Australian Press Council and there should be ‘genuine redress for lapses’ in standards
Journalists’ union considers pulling out of press watchdog over ineffectiveness | Media | The Guardian
behind the approved coronavirus vaccines — Johnson & Johnson, Moderna, and Pfizer — have quietly touted plans to raise prices on coronavirus vaccines in the near future and to capitalize on the virus’s lasting presence.
Covid Vaccine Makers Promise Investors They’ll Hike Prices
A federal Labor MP has accused the Coalition of only taking national security threats seriously when it’s “politically convenient”, after the Australian spy agency, Asio, changed the language used to describe the rising threat of rightwing extremism. Ed Husic, who became the first federal MP to be sworn in on the Qur’an in 2010, said he and other Muslims had previously faced repeated calls from conservatives to condemn Islamist extremism “louder, stronger, and more regularly”. But Husic noted that some politicians in government ranks had taken exception to the term rightwing extremism now they were “being asked to confront an errant, ugly streak within conservatism”.
‘Hectoring’ from conservatives blamed for Asio move to dump term ‘rightwing extremism’ | Australian security and counter-terrorism | The Guardian
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