Sun 3 Jan 2021 17.00 AEDT Last modified on Mon 4 Jan 2021 06.29 AEDT 3,054 361 If America learns nothing else from these dark times, here are seven lessons it should take from 2020:
Healthcare to the electoral college: seven ways 2020 left America exposed | Coronavirus | The Guardian
As the climate crisis worsens, the coronavirus pandemic rages, and Joe Biden prepares to take office, a look at big environmental stories that could define the next year.
5 Environmental Stories That Could Dominate In 2021 | HuffPost Australia
A British judge has rejected a Trump administration bid to extradite Julian Assange to face charges relating to WikiLeaks’ publication of classified diplomatic cables a decade ago, saying that he would be a suicide risk.
Julian Assange to not be extradited to US on espionage charges
Researchers say the mRNA-based vaccine and recombinant protein vaccine being trialled are more targeted The Doherty Institute’s Terry Nolan says it is vital Australia has its own vaccine to prevent supply chain issues The trials have been expedited to mid-2021 with Federal Government funding
Australia to trial ‘backup’ COVID-19 vaccines that can be modified to fight virus mutations – ABC News
Donald Trump is gone. But the conditions that gave rise to his brand of noxious politics aren’t going away anytime soon.
Trumpism Will Endure
A study of 45 countries shows those who have contained the virus also tend to have less severe economic impacts than those that haven’t. Saving the economy does not mean sacrificing lives, writes Michael Smithson. Containing Covid versus saving the economy is a false dichotomy.
Covid-19: sacrificing lives does not mean saving the economy – Michael West
“At a time when so many Americans are facing economic desperation,” said Sen. Bernie Sanders, “it is tragic that the Republican leadership has turned their backs on the working families of this country.”
81 Senators Vote to Override Trump Veto of NDAA as GOP Continues to Block $2,000 Relief Checks | Common Dreams News
With the U.S. Election approaching, President Trump seems to be agitating his country into a frenzy of violence and hate crime, writes Dr Martin Hirst.
#1 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: America could be heading towards a second civil war
The Murdoch stranglehold over Australian media was, as ever, a popular topic on IA during 2020, with this February glimmer of hope from Paul Budde receiving nearly 40,000 unique views.
#3 TOP IA STORY OF 2020: Foxtel pay-TV faces slow death
Great power competition in the Asia-Pacific region has been building for years. But COVID-19 has turbo-charged the shifts taking place and China is finishing 2020 in a significantly stronger position compared with the US than when the year started.
China enters 2021 a stronger, more influential power — and Australia may feel the squeeze even more
Welcome to our annual Top 5. 2020 had it all as far as articles on The AIMN, but it was the incompetence and distrust of the prime minister and his government that stirred the senses, dominating our Top 5 list.
2020: The Top 5 – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Too many people have suffered severely under this government – and are continuing to suffer – and they include Australian citizens, many of whom are in the arts and entertainment industries, who have performed to raise funds for others, like after the 2020/21 bush fires, but who have been given no support by government; foreign nationals on work visas with no work.now available; refugees deprived of freedom to a greater extent than murderers, and those caught out overseas who have definitely not been returned to Australia by Christmas! We need a ray of hope that the Coalition can be voted out – so we need an effective Opposition!
Where have all the flowers gone? – » The Australian Independent Media Network
“I have never seen a president in American history who has lied so continuously and so outrageously as Donald Trump, period,” presidential historian Michael Beschloss said.
Trump versus the truth: The most outrageous falsehoods of his presidency
Mary Trump’s recent memoir about her uncle validated just about everything you and your co-authors wrote over three years ago. And in your new book completed over the summer, you wrote: “Now with an election looming, he will likely refuse to concede the results, call the election a fraud, and refuse to leave office.” This is exactly what is happening right now. In contrast to journalists who approach Trump based on what they know about politics and past presidents, you approach him based on your experiences with patients. Tell me about your work in forensic psychiatry.
Here’s Why It Is Necessary to Speak out about Trump’s Psychological Dangerousness and Lack of Mental Capacity | The Smirking Chimp
Moscow Mitch McConnell just did it again. And then did it one more time. He just stopped struggling Americans from getting a $2,000 survival check, again. Apparently just because he can. And to be a troll, actually calling survival checks “socialism for rich people.”
McConnell Gives Entire Struggling Nation the Finger, and Senate Republicans Let Him Do It | The Smirking Chimp
Donald Trump could attack Iran to impose martial law in the United States and carry out a coup.
Trump plans attack on Iran in early 2021
Allowing wealth to accumulate from one generation to another is a recipe for unacceptable inequalities. We should abolish inherited wealth.
Abolish Inherited Wealth
About the only good thing that can be said about 2020 is that it’s over. It was an annus horribilis. COVID took the lives of more than 340,000 Americans, about 1 out of every 1,000 of us. Over 22 million of us lost our jobs in March and April, and unemployment is again surging. The trend of fatal police shootings increased this year, with a total 864 civilians having been shot, 192 of whom were Black (as of December 1, 2020, the latest data available). Climate change has worsened. The U.S. suffered an extraordinary 12 hurricane landfalls in 2020, smashing previous records. California had the worst wildfire season ever, burning a staggering 4.1 million acres. The President of the United States made all these crises worse. He played down and lied about COVID. He condemned Black Lives Matter protesters and encouraged right-wing violence. He made the climate crisis worse than it might have been by rejecting climate science and rolling back environmental protections.
Good Riddance to a Terrible Year | The Smirking Chimp
We live in an era where the advice on which government Ministers seem to rely does not come from experienced Public Servants, but from political advisers, whose duties are centred – not on “What is best for the country?”, but “What is most likely to help win the next election?” When people’s lives are being damaged in consequence of a totally flawed policy approach, something has to change. And we who are electors have got to be much more vocal in making it clear that what we are being offered doesn’t begin to meet the pub test!
Wake up, Australia! – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Yes, confirmation bias is hard to overcome. If I use Gladys Berejiklian as my final example, I have to ask myself would I be upset if the premier of my state had kept their relationship with a corrupt politician a secret, failed to declare various conflicts of interest, shredded documents and removed computer files that gave information about pork-barrelling, failed to make masks mandatory because well, it’s just more rules, isn’t it, told us that there’s no real concerns about behaviour that some consider corrupt because everybody is and failed to protect koalas? Somehow I don’t think I’d be saying that they’re only human.
The Incredible Shrinking Prime Minister – » The Australian Independent Media Network
The Next Trump | Washington Monthly
As former President Obama said to the Atlantic’s Jeffrey Goldberg, “I’m not surprised that somebody like Trump could get traction in our political life. He’s a symptom as much as an accelerant. But if we were going to have a right-wing populist in this country, I would have expected somebody a little more appealing.” The next Trump could be more appealing, and therefore more dangerous.
The Next Trump | Washington Monthly
We aren’t out of the woods, but 2021 gives us light at the end of the tunnel. It has been so dark so long.
So long, Sucker! Top 6 Reasons we Won’t miss you, 2020, or Trump, either
In 2020, Media Matters conducted data studies on a vast array of issues. Here are the numbers that defined the year:
2020 by the numbers | Media Matters for America
My thought for the day If we are to save our democracy, we might begin by asking that at the very least our politicians should be transparent and tell the truth.
The last words on Trump, hopefully – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Even countries that hosted vaccine trials — like Argentina, South Africa, Brazil, and Turkey — will not receive adequate supplies.
World Faces Covid-19 “Vaccine Apartheid”
He reminds his daughters that if the economy can’t afford drugs for a child their age with Cystic Fibrosis, the child doesn’t get to breathe. No pressure. No emotional blackmail. What a mensch! What a man for our times. Yet as the pandemic becomes endemic, as his government’s debacle in its megaphone diplomacy with China begins to cost, the Morrison’s government’s hollow promises, lies and incompetence will be its undoing. Looking at the debacle that is the NSW government’s response to what may well prove to be a new wave of coronavirus cases surely no-one can miss the criminally negligent federal government behind the scenes. Our challenge is to hold it to account.
A criminally negligent federal government beneath the festive schmaltz. – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Old media caps off annus horribilis 2020 with its traditional horrible week. Michael West, standing in for Michael Tanner, looks at the fall of Fairfax, PR masquerading as journalism, who guards the Guardian, Seven News’ calls for war with China and how Scott Morrison’s media team has the game sown up.
Faustian Pact: no way back from public relations for News and Nine – Michael West
The Washington Post is reporting that Cy Vance, the Manhattan D.A., has retained forensic accounting specialists, FTI Consulting, to assist with their criminal investigation into Donald Trump’s business operations, specifically in relation his shady real estate deals.
Thus far, Donald Trump has avoided providing tax records or DNA in various cases under the excuse that he is “too busy being President”, but that excuse goes away on January 20, 2021 when he returns to being a regular citizen. He will have no job and no excuse for why he can’t show up for hearings or produce documents. And just a reminder, even if he pardons himself, it will only apply to FEDERAL crimes. Not state. So nothing he does can protect him from Cy Vance (Manhattan D.A.) or Letitia James (New York State A.G). And they are both coming for him.
Trump’s Legal Troubles In New York State Dramatically Escalate | Crooks and Liars
Fox News wrecked the U.S. pandemic response, used protests for racial justice to spread white supremacist propaganda, and waged an assault on democracy
For Fox News, mass death in the U.S. was just the cost of doing business | Media Matters for America
That’s what Fox News did this year. The right-wing network has promoted coronavirus misinformation an estimated 13,551 times on its weekday programs over the course of the pandemic. And its lies had a deadly impact.
Misinformer of the Year: Fox News | Media Matters for America
Additional arms deals this week include $4 billion in helicopters to Kuwait, $169 million in military equipment to Egypt, and $65 million in drones and fighter jets to UAE.
Lame-Duck Trump’s “Middle East Arms Bonanza” Continues With Approval of $290 Million Weapons Sale to Saudi Regime | Common Dreams News
As Noam Chomsky puts it in a recent interview, “unless working people take part in the class struggle, they’re going to get it in the neck.”
Noam Chomsky: Fight the Class Struggle or Get it in the Neck
Boris Johnson orders highest coronavirus restrictions for three quarters of the UK’s population to counter surge of new strain – ABC News
Restrictions announced by Boris Johnson will affect more than 44 million people The new measures come as cases continue to surge across the country The UK reported a further 981 deaths on Wednesday
Boris Johnson orders highest coronavirus restrictions for three quarters of the UK’s population to counter surge of new strain – ABC News
Carlson was certainly convinced, taking a position at odds with various national security wonks that pullulate the US airwaves. “Whatever you think of Julian Assange and what he did, he is effectively a journalist. He took information and he put it in a place the public could read it.” The Australian was spending time in prison for releasing documents “he did not steal,” merely providing a platform for their dissemination, showing that “the US government was illegally spying on me, and everybody else in this country.”
The Julian Assange Pardon Drive – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Key points: The coronavirus supplement, paid to more than a million Australians, will be reduced from $125 to $75 per week from January 1 When the payment was $275 in September, it pushed recipients above the poverty line The Government has rejected calls to increase unemployment benefits, and says it is focused on jobs creation
Unhappy new year for more than 1 million Aussies on JobSeeker as COVID assistance winds back – ABC News
UK is doing 2M shots a week
The Washington Post tells us that 7.7 million first doses of vaccines have been shipped to date (two million shots have been given), with a target of 16 million by the end of the year. This is warp speed?
Is the Distribution of Vaccines the Biggest Trump Screw-Up Yet? | The Smirking Chimp
Trump said on December 9 that he “might” invoke the Korea War-era act, which allows the US government to direct companies to produce urgently needed goods necessary to national security. The US government pays the companies to do this, so it isn’t socialism and doesn’t involve a government take-over. It just delays receipt of other goods by other customers. Trump has repeatedly said he is reluctant to invoke the act because it is socialist in character and would make us like Venezuela. He did use it to compel GM to produce ventilators last spring, paying $489 million for 30,000 ventilators. It was a relatively minor use of the act given the scale of the national emergency.
Biden to invoke Defense Production Act for Vaccine manufacture. Trump? Playing Golf at Mar-a-Lago
How Progressive are you?
To recap: Pelosi blocks the bill and the Progressives stick to their guns, she loses her Speakership. She lets it come to a vote and it dies, this exposes the corporatist wing of the party. It comes to a vote, it passes but dies in the Senate, the corporatists there are exposed. It passes both Houses of Congress, Joe Biden has already said he will veto it. Biden and the entire political establishment of both parties would thereby be exposed as the corrupt tools of oligarchy we have long suspected they were.
House Progressives and #Forcethevote: A New Way in American Politics, Part One – » The Australian Independent Media Network
But with major pharmaceutical companies rolling out vaccines and millions of doses being bought by the United States, Britain, the European Union and Australia, developing countries argue such attempts to give them purchasing power in the market will only go so far. In October, India and South Africa asked the World Trade Organisation to temporarily waive intellectual property (IP) protections so that vaccines and other equipment for fighting COVID-19 could be made more cheaply at greater scale. Australia joined Britain, the US and the EU in opposing the move, arguing that existing rules on licensing would be sufficient to meet demand.
Fair global distribution of vaccines is vital
Perhaps my young dog gave me a better analogy. He’s still at a stage where he’s likely to steal shoes or other miscellaneous objects. When he gives them back without a fight, I pat him on the head and say, “Good boy!” This doesn’t mean that I trust him not to steal another one and neither does it mean that I believe I’ll get it back without a fight… I suspect that many of the Australians who gave Morrison a tick of approval feel exactly the same way.
War With China So Thank God Those Subs Are On Their Way… – » The Australian Independent Media Network
It seems increasingly clear that the 21st century will be the Chinese century. And, China is going to get there sooner thanks to a new isolationism and a paroxysm of ignorant reality-denial for which Donald J. Trump has been the cheerleader and chief implementation officer. The BBC reports that a British think tank predicts that China will overtake the US as the world’s largest economy in 2028 instead of 2033, as a result of its deft handling of the pandemic and as a result of outgoing president Trump’s monumental screw-up, the largest public health disaster in American history.
How incompetent Boob Trump took down America and launched the Chinese Century
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