Fighting Fake News With REAL 30/10/20; Humour; Fox New’s Tucker Carlson sells “stolen” evidence;
Author: peterimrich
Polls highly favour Joe Biden to win the US presidential election.
These polls are not just abstract information. By telling prospective voters who is the most likely to win, can they influence the result of the election by playing a role in the voters’ decision? The evidence says yes, and it most likely favours Biden.
In theory, you could imagine two possible effects of polls. First, a momentum effect. Second, an underdog effect.
In Florida last week, two armed men dressed as security guards stood at a campaign tent outside a voting centre, falsely claiming they had been hired by the Trump campaign to guard the area.
In Pennsylvania, Trump officials videotaped voters as they delivered their ballots into drop boxes, supposedly in a bid to catch potential violations.
Source: US election 2020: The tactics used to suppress and contest the vote
With President Donald Trump’s reelection hopes seemingly fading, Fox News star Tucker Carlson made an 11th hour push on Tuesday night to try to will him to victory. He devoted his entire program to an interview with Tony Bobulinski, a former business partner of Hunter Biden, in the latest dubious salvo of an extensive campaign by Rupert and Lachlan Murdoch’ media outlets to tarnish Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden via his son’s business interests.
The Murdochs’ desperate final push to use Hunter Biden to reelect Donald Trump | Media Matters for America
Brookfield’s make-up artists are hard at work. They’ve taken “coal” out of the title, hired every broker in town to flog the thing and, in the most telling move, are rushing to get the deal done before the end of the year. Michael West reports on the ASX float of Dalrymple Infrastructure, which looks set to siphon off Aussie cash to an offshore haven, with yield-hungry retirees paying the price.
Coal Deal in Distress: desperate Dalrymple’s dodgy debt dump – Michael West
Labor has accused the government of using taxpayer money for political research from a connected consultant. Is this a case of the Coalition helping itself, or all above board?
How taxpayers are funding government messaging on COVID-19 recovery
Ok, the recession isn’t really over yet. I’m just getting in early because the Deputy Governor of the Reserve Bank said something about growth that gave rise to a headline or two about the recession being over.
The Recession Is Over So Let’s Thank Josh Frydenberg… – » The Australian Independent Media Network
In 1920, a small group of socialists met in Sydney to found the Communist Party of Australia. They fought for a world free of exploitation and built on solidarity. They failed in their ultimate goals. But a century later, we remember their legacy of struggle and the real accomplishments of the workers’ movement in Australia.
Happy 100th Birthday to the Communist Party of Australia
It’s both comical and disconcerting to see the Prime Minister huffing and puffing over a few, admittedly expensive, gold watches. As news of Australia Post CEO Christine Holgate’s up-market gifts for her senior executives surfaced this week, Morrison was apparently incensed.
Scott Morrison’s gold standard ICAC distractions
That feedback loop is likely to accelerate in the days leading up to and perhaps following the election, as Trump and his propagandists try to turn normal election difficulties into a scandal, potentially delegitimize millions of ballots, and bring to bear the GOP advantage in the courts. Here are 17 times this has happened so far this year.
17 times Trump has cast doubt on the election in response to Fox | Media Matters for America
What of Trump’s accusation that Biden is corrupt, taking illegal payments from Russia and Ukraine and others? Bolton ran the National Security Council in the Trump White House; he had access to the most highly classified intelligence the US possesses. “I think it’s entirely made up by Trump,” says Bolton. “Hunter Biden,” Joe’s son, “as is often the case with the family members of influential politicians, probably exercised incredibly poor judgment. In the debate, Joe Biden said he’d never taken a penny from any foreign source. It’d better be true, and I’m inclined to believe it’s true. “Donald Trump just makes things up. He tries to create the world he wants you to believe in.” Fair cop. We’re about to discover exactly how many American voters believe in his alternative reality.
US election 2020: Donald Trump goes with his gut, even if America goes belly-up
Barring a miracle, Amy Coney Barrett will be confirmed on Monday as the ninth justice on the U.S. Supreme Court. This is a travesty of democracy.
How to Reverse the GOP’s Power Grab | The Smirking Chimp
Data is the lifeblood of a functioning government. Over the past four years, the Trump administration has destroyed, disappeared or distorted vast swathes of the information the state needs to protect the vulnerable, safeguard our health and alert us to emerging crises.
https://highline.huffingtonpost.com/article/disappearing-data/index.html#
Bernie Sanders is reportedly making a bid to be the secretary of labor in a potential Biden administration. That’s good news. The labor secretary has broad latitude to raise worker standards — and Bernie could use the bully pulpit to declare that all workers will have the full backing of the federal government if they organize on the job.
Bernie Sanders Would Make a Very Good Secretary of Labor
The deaths of more than 174,000 people from the coronavirus could have been avoided if it weren’t for the harmful, man-made pollutants dirtying the air.
Source: Live somewhere with polluted air? Your risk of dying of COVID is higher
Europe is bracing for a new spate of national lockdowns as coronavirus surges across the continent and threatens to fill hospitals with more patients than the first deadly wave of earlier this year.
Coronavirus: Germany, France return to lockdown as cases soar in Europe
Billionaire mining magnate and political pest Clive Palmer is outspending every other political party in the country on Facebook ads before the Queensland election, sharing discredited claims about a Labor death tax.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2020/10/28/clive-palmers-facebook-spend/
A brief history of the Murdoch clan: A tale of two Keiths
Former PM Kevin Rudd has sought a royal commission into the Murdoch family’s influence on Australian democracy. Founder and director David Donovan explains how the Murdochs have subverted Australia’s frail democracy for over a century. THE IMPACT of the Murdochs on Australian politics is no new thing. It is in their blood and seemingly regarded as their birthright. This power to manipulate the Australian people through the information they are allowed to receive has, in fact, spanned three generations.
A brief history of the Murdoch clan: A tale of two Keiths
One of the more remarkable developments of the last few years has been the conservative movement’s reliance on outlandish conspiracy theories even as they maintain control of most levers of governmental power. It’s deeply unusual in a modern democratic society, but much more typical in totalitarian developing countries. And it bodes very ill for what is likely to happen to the Republican Party after it inevitably loses power.
The GOP Conspiracy Mentality Will Only Become More Dangerous When They Lose Power | Washington Monthly
Donald Trump has made it clear that he plans to declare victory on election night. He’ll do it when the returns are primarily based on in-person voting from that day. The president and his enablers launched a massive disinformation campaign based on the lie that mail-in ballots are fraudulent so that he could create chaos by claiming that they shouldn’t be counted.Donald Trump has made it clear that he plans to declare victory on election night. He’ll do it when the returns are primarily based on in-person voting from that day. The president and his enablers launched a massive disinformation campaign based on the lie that mail-in ballots are fraudulent so that he could create chaos by claiming that they shouldn’t be counted.
Fox News May Be Heading Towards an Epic Election-Night Showdown | Washington Monthly
If Trump wins, expect to see dangerously unqualified ideologues in charge of the FBI, CIA, Pentagon and other key posts. There will be kangaroo court trials of Clinton, Obama, Biden and anyone else on the Fox News target list. There will be more comprehensive purges across government of career civil servants in favor of culture war inquisitors. The intelligence and immigration services will likely be converted into a secret police persecuting liberals and protesters (even more than they have been historically), and Trump will do all he can to use the full might of the military against civilian opposition.It is an unthinkable nightmare from which it would take generations to awaken–and America has just nine days left to stop it.
Trump Plans A Series of Saturday Night Massacres If He Wins | Washington Monthly
The ATO’s debt book has hit another record and pressure is building on the agency to claw back this debt The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in net tax collections dipping over the past financial year, but tax refunds have risen As with prior years, the ATO has opted to settle with some large companies that disputed tax bills, rather than fight it out in court
ATO’s debt book grows to more than $53 billion as boss Chris Jordan faces Senate Estimates – ABC News
When ABC director of news Gaven Morris warned his staff against focusing on “inner city left-wing elites” last week he could easily have been citing from the Coalition playbook. The phrase reflects the perception of a city/country divide and a gulf between inner city and outer suburban values, and marginalises “progressive” issues as the sole preserve of a small coterie of ivory-tower inhabitants out of touch with the concerns of “real” Australians. But was Morris right to urge his staff to look beyond this audience? And do these “inner city left-wing elites” even exist?
Does the inner city left-wing elite exist?
The state of South Australia is the future. For one hour, on October 11, all of its electricity was generated by solar power, the first time this feat was achieved by any major jurisdiction in the world. So reports Richard Davies of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. October is a spring month in Australia.
South Australia first to be 100% Solar-Powered, as Solar becomes Cheapest form of Energy
After 30 years extracting gold, committing environmental and human rights abuses, the operator of Porgera mine is suing the PNG government for not extending its licence. It is using an Investor State Dispute Settlement (ISDS) clause in a Free Trade Agreement to sue, a clause made famous when US multinational Philip Morris tried to sue Australia over its tobacco plain packaging laws. Australian mining companies are increasingly using ISDS processes and are being awarded billions based on dubious calculations of potential lost profits by unaccountable international tribunals. Patricia Ranald reports.
Another Australian miner sues another poor country, this time Barrick’s Porgera in PNG – Michael West
A crossbench plan to implement a federal anti-corruption commission has lit a fire under the federal Coalition and upped pressure on Scott Morrison to act on mounting government rorts.
Pressure mounts on government to pass federal ICAC plan
My thought for the day There is often a subtle difference between what you are tempted to do and what you should do. (John Lord)
Truth can be a potent weapon when used against corruption – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Scott Morrison’s ‘have a go, get a go’ mantra was untrue when he first said it but its invocation in recession is even more absurd
Australia’s leaders don’t even try to understand the working poor | Poverty | The Guardian
Trump said, according to the BBC, that Egypt cannot accept the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam that is being built on the Blue Nile, which the government of Abdel Fattah al-Sisi believes will reduce water flow to Egypt. Trump went on to crack that Egypt might “blow it up.” The head of state of a superpower cannot afford to speak this way. What Addis Abbaba heard was that al-Sisi likely said some such thing to Trump, which the blabber-mouth-in-chief was now inadvertently making public.
Donald Trump, the Mr. Magoo of geopolitics, incites warfare between Egypt and Ethiopia
Amy Coney Barrett is heading for confirmation but supreme court and Senate reform is possible if Biden wins and acts fast
Trump assaulted American democracy – here’s how Democrats can save it | Amy Coney Barrett | The Guardian
The US coronavirus caseload has reached record heights with more than 83,000 infections reported in a single day, the latest ominous sign of the disease’s grip on the nation.
What, me worry? Trump says worst is over as COVID rampages across US | The New Daily
If Trump and the Republicans hold on and retain control of the Senate the future is less clear – there is no published Republican platform for a second term – but it seems reasonable to assume more of the same.
Disruptive outlier: the election outcome that could shake markets
Support for Premier Daniel Andrews remains solid, with just over half of Victorians backing his handling of the coronavirus pandemic despite months of tough lockdown restrictions and criticism over the failed hotel quarantine program.
Coronavirus Victoria: Poll shows Daniel Andrews’ support still strong but Liberal leader Michael O’Brien floundering
In my opinion, what this means is that the Government would like the ACCC to facilitate NBN Co to increase their prices. I will come back to this in a bit more detail. But in essence, the Government would like to create a better financial position for the NBN to put it up for sale. The alternative I have advocated now for many years is to write down some of the NBN costs.
NBN battle between the ACCC and the Government
Victoria’s lockdown has provoked a self-styled rebellion that postures as defending freedom against the state premier, “Dictator” Dan Andrews. But once you scratch the plebian surface, the “movement” is led by right-wing activists and funded by Liberal Party money.
The Australian Right Is Trying To Import Trump-Style Reactionary Populism
683 deaths The Morrison government is not taking the aged-care crisis seriously
683 deaths | The Monthly
New Zealand and the US compile public registers to ensure their Jobkeeper-type subisidies are not rorted by businesses. But no such transparency for Australians. As the Government singles out bureaucrats such as Australia Post chief Christine Holgate for corporate excesses, Tasha May shines the torch on pandemic rorting at the top end of town. JobKeeper is the single largest piece of government spending in the country’s history. Yet despite taxpayer funding this hundred billion dollar wage subsidy, there is no public database to see whether JobKeeper is being used appropriately. From the limited information that has come to light, it seems clear that it is not. A report from governance advisory service Ownership Matters reveals four kinds of appalling activity by business.
BossKeeper: how JobKeeper lined the pockets of top ASX directors, executives and shareholders – Michael West
“Trump has attacked virtually every important check-and-balance institution in the US that’s got in his way – the intelligence community, judges, the media. Every significant constraint, he wants to get rid of it.” Of course, he’s also opposed to the ultimate constraint in a democracy – the outcome of elections, unless he happens to win.
. “It’s got crazy when you have a US president promoting completely outrageous false information like QAnon,” the fantasist conspiracy movement. “He came into office completely unprepared and instead of being awed by the responsibility, he’s failed to take it seriously. From top to bottom, he’s filled his administration with mediocrities whose only qualification is loyalty to the President’s family. “Almost every statement that comes out of his mouth is a lie. It’s hard to imagine anyone with worse judgment and less qualified to be president.”
“He came into office completely unprepared and instead of being awed by the responsibility, he’s failed to take it seriously. From top to bottom, he’s filled his administration with mediocrities whose only qualification is loyalty to the President’s family.
“Almost every statement that comes out of his mouth is a lie. It’s hard to imagine anyone with worse judgment and less qualified to be president.”
The end of democracy? If Trump loses, Trumpism still wins
When I pointed that out at his rally in Des Moines, I was spit on by one of his supporters. That’s right. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when Trump himself has been diagnosed with the virus, a supporter of the president decided that he would spit on me to keep me from telling the truth. It’s going to take a lot more than spit to keep me from speaking out. Together with Our Revolution activists across the Midwest, I’m organizing working people and spreading the word about Trump. We need real action to save our jobs and communities, not more lies and bluster.
Trump Sold Out Workers Like Me | The Smirking Chimp
Biden was more passionate and forceful than he’s been in any debate so far – including in the primary debates. But Trump’s lies and bizarre outbursts were no less toxic. Here are the 4 biggest takeaways.
The 4 Biggest Takeaways from The Final Debate | The Smirking Chimp
In refusing to introduce acceptable air pollution standards, Australia’s politicians are essentially saying our lives and health do not matter, writes David Ritter.
Coal-fired air pollution: The invisible killer
Tyrants through the ages have exploited the fear of viruses to justify or incite the most barbarous crimes against humanity. They use the language of germ warfare. Joseph Stalin’s henchman Vyacheslav Molotov said enemies needed to “be isolated” or “society would have been infected”. Heinrich Himmler sent millions to the Nazi gas chambers calling his victims “a bacterium”, a “sepsis” that needed to be cauterised. Adolf Hitler called the holocaust a “surgical procedure” to rid Europe of the “Jewish disease”. Comparisons to the Nazis are wisely avoided and Donald Trump is not Adolf Hitler. But Trump exploited fear of outsiders, promising to build a wall to keep out illegal Mexican immigrants who he said were bringing “tremendous infectious diseases” across the US border.
The virus of tyranny is alive and growing — and there’s no permanent vaccine – ABC News
Media power prowls in the dark but its presence, its threat, its strength isn’t hidden. It’s there to see in fawning politicians and public officials.
Rupert Murdoch’s power: how it works and debases our country
The Murdochs own Fox News but rarely get the scrutiny they deserve for bankrolling racism and hatred.
We Need to Talk More About the Murdoch Family
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