Author: peterimrich

Australia's Shame

Women’s Rights: Where Are They? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Historically, men placed themselves above women on ‘matters of importance’ in many cultures, Australia among them. Much has changed in today’s society, that is true, but much still has not. We see many TV shows and movies regarding the past, often there are arranged marriages where the male characters are heavily concerned about how pretty their bride to be is. This sort of narrative aids the misogynistic values placed upon women in today’s society.

Women’s Rights: Where Are They? – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- Taking a break between Murdoch gigs
Piers Morgan will leave Good Morning Britain but his name has been linked to two new channels launching later this year.

Fighting Fake News with REAL 10/3/21; Murdochian Piers Morgan takes a break until Murdoch recalls him; Porter vs Markle the Murdochian difference

Denial of science, Science, Science vs Ideology

5 ways to spot if someone is trying to mislead you when it comes to science

People who are trying either to make you believe something that isn’t true, or to doubt something that is true, use a variety of strategies that can manipulate you very effectively. Here are five to look out for.

5 ways to spot if someone is trying to mislead you when it comes to science
Australia's Shame

The Irony of Political and Religious Power – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Our constitution was originally framed as a ‘secular’ document but successive conservative governments, and a number of unfortunate High Court decisions, have led Church authorities to repeatedly claim (incorrectly) that Australia is a “Christian nation.” It is not.

The Irony of Political and Religious Power – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Both must go, or Morrison will pay the price for eight years of scandals – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Anyone who cares to watch “Inside the Canberra Bubble” might also conclude that Porter’s long history of predatory behaviours, adultery, lying, manipulation and political treachery makes it reasonably straightforward that an inquiry is necessary.

Both must go, or Morrison will pay the price for eight years of scandals – » The Australian Independent Media Network
media distortion, Media monitoring

Crikey’s malicious attempt to discredit victim in Porter rape allegation

Crikey has published an appalling confection, promoted by others in the media, to cast doubt on the victim’s account and engender sympathy for alleged perpetrator Attorney-General Christian Porter, writes Dr Jennifer Wilson.

Crikey’s malicious attempt to discredit victim in Porter rape allegation
Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- CRIKEY THEY GOT IT WRONG!!

Fighting Fake News with REAL 9/3/21; CRIKEY THEY GOT IT WRONG!! Misinformation tricks of the trade;

America's Shame

A Fragile Democracy | The Smirking Chimp
Democracy fails where ‘not voting’ is a right. Voter suppression doesn’t exist where voting is compulsory

Thus, the country that for centuries had developed a system of government and justice became a victim to the whims of a psychopathic personality who in the short period of four years threatened to destroy had-earned advances towards a democratic and pluralistic society. It shows that unless we are serious in restoring the values fundamental to its existence, we will become one of those countries south of the border pejoratively called “banana republics.”

A Fragile Democracy | The Smirking Chimp
Informed Comment

Biden’s no LBJ but he must protect voting rights. What else is the presidency for? | US voting rights | The Guardian
Joe Biden points to his face mask in Atlanta, Georgia in January.

In 1963, when the newly sworn in Lyndon Baines Johnson was advised against using his limited political capital on the controversial issue of civil and voting rights for Black Americans, he responded: “Well, what the hell’s the presidency for?”

Biden’s no LBJ but he must protect voting rights. What else is the presidency for? | US voting rights | The Guardian
Trump

Trump plans ‘tectonic plate shift’ return to social media despite being blocked by almost every site | The Independent
Trump ‘sent cease and desist’ letter to stop RNC from using his name

An adviser to former President Donald Trump has hinted at his return to social media in a new podcast, describing the alleged comeback in the most Trumpian of ways, saying: “It will be a tectonic plate shift in the world of social media, because anything that he touches is going to be big.”

Trump plans ‘tectonic plate shift’ return to social media despite being blocked by almost every site | The Independent
Fox News

Former Neo-Nazi Recruiter: Fox News Driving Radicalization In America | Crooks and Liars
Former Neo-Nazi Recruiter: Fox News Driving Radicalization In America

Former white supremacist skinhead gang member Frank Meeink who now lectures against the movement discussed what’s driving the radicalization we’re seeing on the right with CNN’s Pamela Brown. None of this will come as any surprise to anyone who has been monitoring the hate speech and right-wing propaganda being pushed by Fox “news” day in and day out, or to anyone who has lost a loved one that’s been sucked in by their garbage.

Former Neo-Nazi Recruiter: Fox News Driving Radicalization In America | Crooks and Liars
Russia, Russians

Alexei Navalny’s Movement Reflects the Weakness of Russian Democracy

Faced with protests for opposition leader Alexei Navalny’s release, the Russian left is torn over whether to join a movement which raises no general social demands. Navalny’s personalized clash with Putin highlights the present hollowness of Russian democracy.

Alexei Navalny’s Movement Reflects the Weakness of Russian Democracy
Uncategorized

COVID-19 variants power European coronavirus surge, reversing a six-week decline in infections – ABC News
a crowd of people in a street in Rome during the day wearing face masks

The UK variant is spreading in 27 European countries, and is dominant in at least 10 The South African variant has been detected in 26 European countries The Brazilian variant has been detected in 15 countries across Europe

COVID-19 variants power European coronavirus surge, reversing a six-week decline in infections – ABC News
Informed Comment

Can the Libs come up with someone even worse than Morrison? History says they will – » The Australian Independent Media Network

When discourse between fair-minded people turns to speculation as to who has been Australia’s most appalling Prime Minister there are four names that are consistently short-listed – $3 Bill McMahon, fellow goblin John Howard, the feral friar Tony Abbott and Scott Spinocchio Morrison.

Can the Libs come up with someone even worse than Morrison? History says they will – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Australia's Shame

Vaccine Hoarders: poor countries at risk as Australia & co block Covid vaccine – Michael West

Australia. the US, the UK and the European Union are refusing to waive intellectual property rights to Covid-19 vaccines so developing countries can produce the vaccine locally. This refusal, in the face of vaccine hoarding by rich countries, is likely to cause millions more deaths because of slower access to a vaccine. It is also extremely short-sighted because long delays in global vaccination will enable more powerful variants to emerge. David Legge and Sun Kim report.

Vaccine Hoarders: poor countries at risk as Australia & co block Covid vaccine – Michael West
Uncategorized

Devine intervention as Sky News Australia’s YouTube channel eclipses ABC’s | Australian media | The Guardian
A Sky News clip featuring Miranda Devine on Paul Murray’s program in which she accused US president Joe Biden of having a ‘cognitive impairment’ went viral

Asked by senators about the proliferation of rightwing views, Miller said Sky News covered “a range of opinions” and “often asks a range of people to appear”. He was responding to earlier claims by the star witness at the inquiry, Kevin Rudd, who claimed Sky News had the potential to build an “alternative political ecosystem out there on the far right”. There’s the “archdeacon of hard-right conservatism in this country, Alan Jones”, Rudd said. “My concern is: where does this land over time – because I’ve seen the ecosystem unfold in the United States.”

Devine intervention as Sky News Australia’s YouTube channel eclipses ABC’s | Australian media | The Guardian

And

Former Neo-Nazi Recruiter: Fox News Driving Radicalization In America

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- 7 year slide to the bottom
Australia’s economy: From the pinnacle to the poorhouse in seven years

Fighting Fake News with REAL 8/3/21 The Frydenberg Lie, Women in Journalism;

America's Shame

Forget $15 an Hour — the Minimum Wage Should Be $24
Harry Truman Minimum Wage 1949

The coronavirus pandemic relief bill passed by the House of Representatives this week would raise the federal minimum wage in steps until it reached $15 an hour in 2025. But an increase in the minimum wage has been removed from the Senate’s legislation. At least for now, it is stuck at $7.25.

Forget $15 an Hour — the Minimum Wage Should Be $24
Bernie Sanders

On a $15 Minimum Wage, Bernie Was on the Right Side of History

Eight Democrats joined with Republicans yesterday to prevent Bernie Sanders from moving to add a $15 minimum wage to the COVID relief bill. History will not absolve them.

On a $15 Minimum Wage, Bernie Was on the Right Side of History
Democracy, Democracy Now

Will Democrats End the Filibuster to pass HR 1 and Save Democracy? – Rolling Stone
ST LOUIS, MO - NOVEMBER 03: Voters wait on line to cast their ballots on Election Day on November 3, 2020 at Jennings Senior High School in St Louis, Missouri. After a record-breaking early voting turnout, Americans head to the polls on the last day to cast their vote for incumbent U.S. President Donald Trump or Democratic nominee Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. (Photo by Michael B. Thomas/Getty Images)

One party is racing to fix an ailing electoral system. The other is doing everything in its power to shut voters out of it

Will Democrats End the Filibuster to pass HR 1 and Save Democracy? – Rolling Stone
Uncategorized

Pope Francis Preaches Tolerance in War Torn Iraq, and Even Militias Welcome Him

Al Jazeera reports that Pope Francis began his unprecedented trip to Iraq on Friday, his first visit abroad since the beginning of the pandemic. No pope had ever visited Iraq, though the country once had a significant Christian population. Part of the reason for the pope’s visit is to give heart to the dwindling Christian community, which includes Uniate Catholics.

Pope Francis Preaches Tolerance in War Torn Iraq, and Even Militias Welcome Him
Israel, Israel Crimes

‘All I can do is film, and it breaks my heart’ – +972 Magazine

‘All I can do is film, and it breaks my heart’ – +972 Magazine
Palestinians sift through the rubble after Israeli forces demolished their home in the hamlet of Khalet al-Daba, in the occupied West Bank, June 17, 2019. (Wissam Hashlamon/Flash90)

Entire communities in south Hebron are under threat of expulsion, while Israeli soldiers try to prevent activists like me from filming the demolitions.

‘All I can do is film, and it breaks my heart’ – +972 Magazine
Myanmar

Protesters risk being killed in demonstrations against Myanmar’s military coup. But an entire generation is still showing up to fight – ABC News
A woman with black hair and wearing a mask and jumper holds her fist in the air surrounded by a crowd of protesters.

“We are not afraid to protest on the roads, we are not afraid to be shot, because our future has already been destroyed by this military coup,” he told the ABC. “We think this is really unfair to

disrespect our votes, and also our country was transforming into a democracy just a few years ago, but right now we are going back to the stone age.”

Protesters risk being killed in demonstrations against Myanmar’s military coup. But an entire generation is still showing up to fight – ABC News
Women

Anger has turned to sadness for Australia’s fed-up women – ABC News
A composite image of Grace Tame and Scott Morrison

Last year, the Prime Minister said he wanted women to be believed. When journalist Ronan Farrow, who broke the Harvey Weinstein allegations, was asked if the best way to honour a woman’s experiences was to believe her, Farrow replied it was better to investigate. To trust — but verify. To listen, really listen. To understand just how much it took for a woman to speak out at all, and then do the work to establish the truth.

Anger has turned to sadness for Australia’s fed-up women – ABC News
Uncategorized

Shift in gender balance means abuse claims are being taken seriously
Attorney-General Christian Porter addressing the media on Wednesday.

Rather, it is because for the first time in Australian history, the Canberra press gallery is dominated by talented, hard-nosed and courageous women journalists, and this alters the understanding of why these allegations matter, and how they should be treated. As well, there is a generation of male reporters who, in at least some cases, “get it”. The result is a new field in the ongoing journalistic job of interrogating power.

Shift in gender balance means abuse claims are being taken seriously
Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- The Morrison & Murdoch are ducks stamping out bush fires. To be Woke is to be stamping out burning ducks
(Image: Gorkie/Private Media)

Fighting Fake News with REAL 7’3/21; Morrison ain’t WOKE he’s Unconscious. Higgins and Tamale are simply demanding their generational right to cancel a dysfuncional culture the same as first nations peoples have been doing for over 200 years

Informed Comment

Lachlan Murdoch’s Self-Delusion Keeps Fox News Alive | Crooks and Liars
Lachlan Murdoch's Self-Delusion Keeps Fox News Alive
Lachlan Murdoch revealed that he doesn’t have a f***ing clue about what goes on at the network he heads, even as he acknowledged what Fox has long pretended otherwise – that Fox is a political operation.

“The main beneficiary of the Trump administration from a ratings point of view was MSNBC… and that’s because they were the loyal opposition,” Murdoch said of the rival cable network. “That’s what our job is now with the Biden administration, and you’ll see our ratings really improve from here.” That’s a load of hogwash. In February – you know, while Biden was president – MSNBC won the total day ratings. And while Fox had the most prime time viewers, MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Show beat both Tucker Carlson Tonight and Hannity.

Lachlan Murdoch’s Self-Delusion Keeps Fox News Alive | Crooks and Liars
Trumpland Revealed

Surprise! Proud Boys And Oath Keepers At Heart Of 1/6 Insurrection | Crooks and Liars
Surprise! Proud Boys And Oath Keepers At Heart Of 1/6 Insurrection
Trumpsters

Totally NOT shocking: the universe of domestic right-wing extremists who came together on Jan. 6 has grown massive, is constantly expanding, and now poses a greater threat to American society than overseas jihadists.

Surprise! Proud Boys And Oath Keepers At Heart Of 1/6 Insurrection | Crooks and Liars
America's Shame

‘Shameful’: Millionaire Senators Vote Against Popular Minimum Wage Raise That Would Lift Millions Out of Poverty | Common Dreams News
Sen. Chris Coons (D-Del.), worth more than $10 million, was one of eight Democrats to vote against including a federal minimum wage increase in the Senate's coronavirus relief package. (Photo: Demetrius Freeman/The Washington Post/AFP via Getty Images)

“It is despicable and unacceptable that there is not unanimous support among Democrats in Congress for a $15 minimum wage,” said Rep. Jamaal Bowman.

‘Shameful’: Millionaire Senators Vote Against Popular Minimum Wage Raise That Would Lift Millions Out of Poverty | Common Dreams News
Murdoch Media

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Oprah interview needs to win over America
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex talk to Oprah Winfrey.
What chance do these two have in the Murdoch’s tabloid world? Division, hate, and salacious gossip sold for profit have always been their product for sale.

Will the interview turn hearts and minds in their favour? In Britain, probably not. Because here’s another “truth”: after the raging success of their 2018 wedding, the couple are now deeply unpopular figures at home.

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s Oprah interview needs to win over America
Political Crime, Political distortion revealed

The Big Grift: How the Top End of Town rorted Jobkeeper – Michael West

The Big Grift: How the Top End of Town rorted Jobkeeper

Jobkeeper

The most rampant era of welfare rorting in Australia’s history draws to a close at the end of the month when the JobKeeper scheme ends. Luke Stacey and Michael West investigate some of the big grifters and how they pulled it off … while we await a response from Business Council of Australia.

Compare Pink Bats with Aged Care, Education, Child Care, JobKeeper, NBN, Corporate Wage Theft, Grants for Votes and Rorts like water rights then ask whose policies enabled the greatest harm and cost to Australia. Who increased the income and wealth gaps and assisted the biggest crimes ever documented to happen without policing or consequences that resulted in the destruction of the health and deaths of its citizens? Pink Bats was a mistake the LNP’s 8 years has been criminal intent. (ODT)

The Big Grift: How the Top End of Town rorted Jobkeeper – Michael West
Uncategorized

Porter’s internal investigation into judge reveals more complaints
christian porter dyson heydon

An inquiry into the allegation against Mr Porter, similar to the one ordered by Chief Justice Susan Kiefel into the Heydon allegations, has been suggested by a range of people. They include former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull, parliamentarians, prominent lawyers and friends and family of the woman at the centre of the allegation. “She [Kiefel] did not seem to share the qualms of Mr Porter, that conducting such an inquiry would reverse the onus of proof that would somehow catapult us into a lawless state, where we’d have no protection of the law in the country,” said Jo Dyer, a friend of the woman behind the allegation. “We believe there are precedents in both the legal and the corporate world, where confidential inquiries can be sensitively handled, can be appropriately handled – that will allow everybody to have the opportunity to tell their story.

Porter’s internal investigation into judge reveals more complaints
drugs, War on Drugs

As Overdoses Reach New Highs, Messaging on Addiction Needs More Nuance | Washington Monthly
Homeless Depressed Man Sitting in Cold Subway Tunnel

While Portugal fixes it’s drug problems. The LNP have allowed ourselves to become a carbon copy of America in every way and it’s cost lives (ODT)

Now is a good time to do some rethinking. Soon there will be new directors of key federal agencies with major public outreach responsibilities — the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration the Office of National Drug Control Policy (aka the office of the Drug Czar). We urge them and the Biden Administration to heed this insight on shaping public opinion about addiction and its treatment.

As Overdoses Reach New Highs, Messaging on Addiction Needs More Nuance | Washington Monthly
Uncategorized

Victoria’s drug rehab system slammed by health complaints commissioner report
Melbourne business woman Lily Owen, who beat a methamphetamine “ice” addiction.

An investigation into Victoria’s unregulated private drug rehabilitation system has found vulnerable patients are being referred to operators accused of exploitative billing practices, treating people without appropriate expertise and employing misleading advertising.

Victoria’s drug rehab system slammed by health complaints commissioner report
Uncategorized

« The Sewer Of Twitter » Is Why Chris Uhlmann Should Receive An Award – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Chris Uhlmann should receive an award for his writing about Twitter. No, not a Walkley, but there are many great fiction awards and Chris has been doing great fiction for years. Like when he asserted that it was South Australia’s reliance on wind power which led to transmitters being blown over.

« The Sewer Of Twitter » Is Why Chris Uhlmann Should Receive An Award – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- When is enough enough?
JULIAN BURNSIDE: Dutton is still spending billions to keep people in misery

Compare Pink Bats with Aged Care, Education, Child Care, JobKeeper, NBN, Corporate Wage Theft, Grants for Votes and Rorts like water rights then ask whose policies enabled the greatest harm and cost to Australia. Who increased the income and wealth gaps and assisted in the biggest crimes ever allowed to happen without policing or consequences that have resulted in the destruction of health and caused the deaths of its citizens? Pink Bats was a mistake the LNP’s 8 years has been criminal intent. (ODT)

 

Fighting Fake News with REAL 6/3/21; The big Grift and so many many other crimes; Porter. DuttonFighting Fake News with REAL 6/3/21; The big Grift and so many many other crimes; Porter. Dutton

Trump

Why the political Right wants to see Trump back in the White House

Now that Donald Trump has emerged as the front-runner for the Republican nomination in 2024, it is worth asking what he achieved for the political Right during his term in office and whether this record of achievement, in itself, would justify the support he has received.

Why the political Right wants to see Trump back in the White House
Hostile Senate

Crucial Voting Reform Just Passed the House. What’s Next?
A podium sits before the Capitol steps prior to a Democrat press conference about H.R. 1, at the U.S. Capitol, in Washington, D.C., on March 3, 2021.

On Wednesday night, the House of Representatives passed a sweeping package of voting rights and campaign finance reform that, if enacted, would reshape the structure of American politics, expanding the franchise and diminishing the power of wealthy interests. The bill passed not long before midnight by a margin of 220-210, with every Republican voting no, joined by one Democrat, Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi.

Crucial Voting Reform Just Passed the House. What’s Next?
corruption

Ron DeSantis Is Selling Vaccines To Rich Floridians | Crooks and Liars
Ron DeSantis Is Selling Vaccines To Rich Floridians

Thank God there’s at least one prominent Democrat in Florida to speak out about this disgusting “donations for vaccines” practice by Trump mini-me Ron DeSantis. The state agriculture official called it “corruption at its worst.”

Ron DeSantis Is Selling Vaccines To Rich Floridians | Crooks and Liars
ANTIFA

I Was Antifa. I Am Antifa. I Will Die Antifa. | The Smirking Chimp

I’m not sure readers will be able read the meme I used to illustrate this piece, a list meant to clarify just what Antifa is and isn’t. [Editor’s note: large version here.] I don’t know who drafted that proclamation, nor do I know precisely for whom they presume to speak. They only partially speak for me. I, too, am antifa, though I don’t support some of the items in their list.

I Was Antifa. I Am Antifa. I Will Die Antifa. | The Smirking Chimp
Slavery

Warehouses Are Today’s “Dark Satanic Mills”

Working in a warehouse during a pandemic means taking your life in your hands — and doing it for poverty wages. An activist with Warehouse Workers for Justice in Illinois tells Jacobin the story of how he finally got fed up, how he and other workers are fighting back, and what would happen if every warehouse worker in the country took the day off.

Warehouses Are Today’s “Dark Satanic Mills”
America's Shame

Deathbed Confession: FBI and NYPD Responsible for Malcolm X Assassination | The Smirking Chimp

A half-century after the death of Civil Right activist Malcolm X, lawyers revealed new evidence of NYPD and FBI involvement in his assassination.

Deathbed Confession: FBI and NYPD Responsible for Malcolm X Assassination | The Smirking Chimp
Israel, Uncategorized

EU backs ICC after Netanyahu’s “anti-Semitism” smear | The Electronic Intifada
Two men sitting together

The European Union appears to be rejecting Benjamin Netanyahu’s smears against the International Criminal Court after Chief Prosecutor Fatou Bensouda confirmed on Wednesday that she would be launching a formal investigation into war crimes in Palestine.

EU backs ICC after Netanyahu’s “anti-Semitism” smear | The Electronic Intifada
Informed Comment

Grattan on Friday: Scott Morrison can’t get a circuit breaker while Porter remains

Scott Morrison has a near obsession with control. But suddenly – in the course of only weeks – he has found himself presiding over a government in a shambles, where he is reacting rather than driving.

Grattan on Friday: Scott Morrison can’t get a circuit breaker while Porter remains
Informed Comment

The week that will never go away – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The left of politics is concerned with people who cannot help themselves. The right is concerned with those who can.

The week that will never go away – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Though- We only ever see Morrison React to and never Act on issues

Fighting Fake News with REAL;5/3/21; The shitshow continues

Informed Comment

The Age of Social Murder | The Smirking Chimp

The two million deaths that have resulted from the ruling elites mishandling of the global pandemic will be dwarfed by what is to follow. The global catastrophe that awaits us, already baked into the ecosystem from the failure to curb the use of fossil fuels and animal agriculture, presage new, deadlier pandemics, mass migrations of billions of desperate people, plummeting crop yields, mass starvation and systems collapse.

The Age of Social Murder | The Smirking Chimp
Trump

Self-Proclaimed Billionaire Trump Now Begging Small-Dollar Donors For Money | HuffPost Australia
Former President Donald Trump appealed to small-dollar donors to send him cash during his speech at the...
Begging for Chump Change

The lies Trump told at CPAC about the election and his record were not new, but his request for supporters to give money to his new political committee was a first.

Self-Proclaimed Billionaire Trump Now Begging Small-Dollar Donors For Money | HuffPost Australia
Far Right

Placing the Proud Boys on Canada’s Terrorism List Is a Threat to the Left

The far-right Proud Boys is an odious and reactionary force. But the Canadian government’s decision to designate them a “terrorist group” is an overreach that threatens the ability of progressives to organize themselves and protest injustice.

Placing the Proud Boys on Canada’s Terrorism List Is a Threat to the Left