Bob Inglis tells Australian thinktank that Fox News and Wall Street Journal are holding back progress on climate
Former Republican congressman says Murdoch’s media outlets fuelling ‘climate rejectionism’ | Climate change | The Guardian
Author: peterimrich
Donald Trump is an autocratic nightmare wrapped in incompetence, made in the USA.
Intercepted Podcast: American Mythology, Part One
Dr Fitschen said Germany would diversify its political and economic relations in Asia so that it did not fall into a dependency on China’s market. “Diversification does not mean decoupling. Diversification means China plus X,” he said. “The German government and the EU must put in place the necessary conditions for this.”
With ‘great concern’ Germany watching Australia-China relationship
Home – Michael West
Charities pay top dollar for dinner with Gladys Berejiklian despite regulator’s no-no to political donations by Michael West | Oct 15, 2020 | Business The Liberal Party is harvesting tens of thousands of dollars in donations from registered children’s charities and charities for the disabled. Michael West reports.
Home – Michael West
I have sometimes wondered how people felt when they were dragged in front of the House Committee on Un-American Activities with Congressmen demanding that they prove their loyalty. Never did I imagine I would be placed in a similar situation. I have followed the debate about our relationship with China, but I did not fully appreciate how toxic it had become until I appeared before the Senate inquiry into issues facing diaspora communities on Wednesday. Osmond Chiu is a research fellow at Per Capita, a progressive think tank. Osmond Chiu is a research fellow at Per Capita, a progressive think tank. I spoke to the committee about the underrepresentation of multicultural communities in Australian politics. Australia’s Parliament is significantly less representative of cultural diversity than Canada, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. Instead of being asked about complex issues facing multicultural communities or how Australia could benefit from a more diverse Parliament, I was asked by Senator Eric Abetz to “unequivocally condemn” the Chinese Communist Party. Presumably, the association trying to be made was that, by virtue of my ethnicity, there was some likelihood of divided allegiances. Advertisement
I was born in Australia. Why do I need to renounce the Chinese Communist Party?
Something needs to change or we may be headed toward Rudd’s dystopian vision of an American-style media and social hellscape — and who knows what else.
Australia needs to give life support to Australia’s media sector
Australian politics is now a corrupt mess and the more the government get away with the more emboldened they become. We have seen such a decline in the practice of government that it wouldn’t surprise me if circumstances might prevail that would give the conservatives a long period of power that might entrench them. So good has the propaganda been. Add to it the lack of interest the public has in politics and you have a situation where maintaining the status quo is but a few lies away. Our current Christian Prime Minister copies the Trump methodology of only pleasing those that will help you win. How bitterly dispiriting it is when the hearts and minds of our politicians are so utterly corrupted by this virus of political lies, but more demoralising it is that ordinary people catch the same infection. So emphatically poor of political morality is the U.S. now that there is a distinct possibility that an ill of mind billionaire entertainer in Donald Trump might trump a second-grade movie actor to become the next president. How a man of such ill repute, threatened by two countries to be disallowed entry, could even be nominated beggar’s belief. It even questions the sanity of those who would contemplate his election. To think that the Republican Party could ever consider a megalomaniac like Trump as a nominee to run for the presidency illustrates just how low the GOP have fallen. That he wanted to exit the hospital after treatment for COVID-19 wearing a Superman t-shirt under his suit so he could dramatically reveal it upon leaving hospital last week confirms his mental state. The New York times says that “he ultimately decided against the stunt, thus depriving the world of what would have been a… memorable moment in a year of memorable moments.” Continued tomorrow… My thought for the day The Office of the American President was once viewed by its people as an office of prestige and importance. Trump has reduced it to one of ridicule and contempt.
Only in America: A look at Trump from Down Under (part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor grew from the militia movement’s toxic mix of constitutional falsehoods and half-truths
The U.S. militia movement has long been steeped in a peculiar – and unquestionably mistaken – interpretation of the Constitution, the Bill of Rights and civil liberties. This is true of an armed militia group that calls itself the Wolverine Watchmen, who were involved in the recently revealed plot to overthrow Michigan’s government and kidnap Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
Plot to kidnap Michigan’s governor grew from the militia movement’s toxic mix of constitutional falsehoods and half-truths
Government officials say the receptacles are illegal and could lead to voter fraud, but the party says it will continue the practice. State officials in California have ordered an investigation into more than 50 deceptively labeled “official” drop boxes. State officials in California have ordered an investigation into more than 50 deceptively labeled “official” drop boxes.Credit…Mike Blake/Reuters By Glenn Thrush and Jennifer Medina Oct. 12, 2020 The California Republican Party has admitted responsibility for placing more than 50 deceptively labeled “official” drop boxes for mail-in ballots in Los Angeles, Fresno and Orange Counties — an action that state officials said was illegal and could lead to voter fraud.
California Republican Party Admits It Placed Misleading Ballot Boxes Around State – The New York Times
But the most chilling moment of her Supreme Court confirmation testimony Tuesday came when she said she would “need to hear arguments” about whether President Trump can postpone the election. “President Trump made claims of voter fraud and suggested he wanted to delay the upcoming election,” Sen. Dianne Feinstein (Calif.), the ranking Democrat on the Judiciary Committee, observed. “Does the Constitution give the president of the United States the authority to unilaterally delay a general election under any circumstances? Does federal law?” AD
Opinion | Postpone the election? Voter intimidation? Amy Coney Barrett is open to it. – The Washington Post
As the possibility of Donald Trump trying to undemocratically snatch the 2020 presidential election seems increasingly likely, we should look to a previous successful attempt by Republicans to seize the presidency while the Democratic Party all but stood by helplessly: the 2000 election’s Florida recount.
To Stop an Electoral Coup, Study What Went Wrong in the 2000 Florida Recount
The United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction issued a report today concluding that natural disasters caused by the human impact on earth’s climate have doubled in the past twenty years. Human beings have put increasing amounts of heat-trapping gases like carbon dioxide into the atmosphere in the past 40 years by driving gasoline cars and burning coal and natural gas for electricity and heating and cooling buildings. Using a comprehensive database, UNDRR found that from 2000 through 2019 there have been 7,348 huge disasters.
Stunning Doubling of Severe Natural disasters in past 20 Years, many driven by Climate Emergency
High ocean temperatures have impacted large and small corals in deep and shallow water, scientists say
Frydenberg will be remembered as the inventor of the two-class tax cut.
Budget 2020: Josh Frydenberg’s two-class tax cut is like no other we’ve seen
Year 12 leavers will be competing with people who are already on Jobseeker and who will no doubt get priority with employers eager for the $200 subsidy per worker. What a terrible message to send to youth, writes Bruce Mackenzie, that they first have to go on unemployment benefits before they are likely to be offered a job.
Privatised VET and Coalition’s wage schemes no fix for Australia’s skills chasm – Michael West
Joe Biden is no Progressive, but that doesn’t mean progress under a Biden administration would be impossible or even unlikely. Democratic resistance to Progressive policies is due in large part to the interests of the donors. That’s a matter of economic convenience.
Biden Will Rise With the Progressive Tide | The Smirking Chimp
You may say that Rudd is a disgruntled Labour Party politician. But Murdoch’s son James noisily resigned from the Newscorp board this year on the grounds that he couldn’t stand the constant campaign of “disinformation.”
Call for Fox Media News Monopoly to be Broken up: Rupert Murdoch an “arrogant cancer on … democracy” – Rudd
California’s top election official is investigating reports that the state’s Republican Party has set up unauthorized ballot drop boxes posing as “official” in several major counties, an illegal practice that could deceive voters into depositing their ballots at unsecure locations.
California GOP Accused Of Posting Fake Ballot Drop Boxes | Crooks and Liars
Donald Trump Took Advantage of the US’s Legalized Corruption
Donald Trump is deeply corrupt. That corruption is a product of the larger kleptocratic system, created by a judiciary that would favor the rich even more with Amy Barrett on the Supreme Court.
Donald Trump Took Advantage of the US’s Legalized Corruption
This past week, 13 men belonging to paramilitary groups were arrested in a horrifying plot to kidnap Michigan’s Democratic governor, Gretchen Whitmer. Based on what can be gleaned from the men’s social media pages, they fit a familiar profile of far-right vigilantism in America.
All The President’s Men | HuffPost Australia
‘Culture of Cosiness’: colossal conflicts of interest in Defence spending blitz – Michael West
In Part 1 of her three-part investigation, Michelle Fahy investigates the corporate influence on government policy and how weapons makers cultivate relationships with politicians and top officials in the public service.
‘Culture of Cosiness’: colossal conflicts of interest in Defence spending blitz – Michael West
In summing up, the only way out of poverty and joblessness is for the public sector to work again and to regulate the worst excesses of private capital… which even pre COVID-19 had driven us to the point of extreme hardship, transferring wealth to the very rich, while making it harder for every day folks to survive let alone thrive. Scandinavian countries are an excellent example of what could be achieved with the political will. So far, the only major party that has touched on creating a New deal is the Greens, who are advocating a Green New Deal. Under this radical new approach, we could eliminate poverty, create an abundance of well-paying jobs, and in turn kick start a very moribund economy. Be bold and be visionary, people! We can do this if we embrace Modern Monetary Theory. Of course that would mean the wealthy job creators would have to compete with the public sector and provide decent wages, full-time jobs, and good conditions… which is exactly what they have been avoiding for the past 30 plus years!
Creating the Australian New Deal – » The Australian Independent Media Network
The people of Australia asked Anthony Albanese to stand up and in his Budget reply, he has done just that. But ultimately, we will have to wait and see if this return to the firebrand Albanese of old is permanent.
The real Albo finally stood up
The high-profile Melbourne identity, who has been a Crown director since 2015 and is chairman of Crown Melbourne, was busted reading from notes while giving evidence via video link on Monday to the probity inquiry, which has the same powers as a royal commission.
‘Oh Mr Demetriou, why did you do it?’: ex-AFL boss caned at Crown probe
The ideology was present by absence – no extension of jobseeker payments, nor any mention of climate change other than in a footnote
The federal budget reveals an ideology that is set to kill any recovery just as it is getting started | Greg Jericho | Business | The Guardian
I could stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody and I wouldn’t lose voters,” Donald Trump boasted in 2016. He thought his almost unlimited bravado, bombast and dominance of any situation allowed him to get away with figurative murder.
Trump said he could kill and win – Covid and cheating may prove it | Robert Reich | Opinion | The Guardian
Why COVID is a boon for the rich and a bane for the poor
As millions of people around the world lost their jobs, billionaires increased their wealth by 27.5% between April and July.
Why COVID is a boon for the rich and a bane for the poor
Social media algorithms, artificial intelligence, and our own genetics are among the factors influencing us beyond our awareness. This raises an ancient question: do we have control over our own lives? This article is part of The Conversation’s series on the science of free will.
Do social media algorithms erode our ability to make decisions freely? The jury is out
Paul Sakkal By Paul Sakkal October 12, 2020 — 8.30am View all comments The virus that causes COVID-19 can last up to 28 days on surfaces like mobile phone and ATM screens, much longer than previously thought, but lasts for much less time on softer surfaces, new CSIRO research shows.
Coronavirus Australia: COVID-19 can last almost a month on smartphones, ATMs, CSIRO finds
2013: Debt and deficit disaster. It’s only by having a surplus that we get economic growth. We have a PLAN for JOBS AND GROWTH and to bring your energy prices down. IT’S ONLY BY HAVING GROWTH THAT YOU HAVE JOBS. NEVER FORGET THAT!!!!
The Liberals Have A Plan! – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Tony Abbott has added himself to Australia’s register of foreign influence after the British government pressed ahead with his appointment to a trade position. The former Australian prime minister registered his new role as an adviser to the UK Board of Trade – an appointment that attracted controversy in both countries – but wrote that he was not receiving any payment.
Tony Abbott registers as agent of foreign influence over UK trade adviser role | Australia news | The Guardian
Offshore Wind Energy, Not Nuclear, Is the Future
States across Europe and East Asia are closing nuclear reactors and replacing much of their electricity-generating capacity with offshore wind energy. Socialists should embrace the growth of this industry — and use green reindustrialization to fight for well-paid, stable jobs.
Offshore Wind Energy, Not Nuclear, Is the Future
In keeping with NSW’s ‘gold standard’ contact tracing system, anyone who has had contact with Gladys Berejiklian over the past 5 years will now distance themselves immediately.
Everyone In Contact With Berejiklian Over Past 5 Years To Distance Themselves Immediately | The Shovel
Excited Trump fans who flocked to the President’s first rally since being diagnosed with COVID-19 described the feeling in the stadium as ‘totally contagious’.
Atmosphere At Trump Rally Described As ‘Infectious’ | The Shovel
Rather than admitting that its belated and ineffective response to the novel coronavirus outbreak has cost more than 210,000 American lives and taking measures now to prevent any more loss of lives, the US administration unashamedly continues to blame other countries for the spread of the virus. The international community hoped that after testing positive for COVID-19, the US president’s attitude toward the pandemic would change. Yet the world is greeted by the same chicanery. Because when it comes to “America first”, it is the US administration first; the rest just don’t matter.
Hollowness of ‘America first’ to the fore at UN meeting: China Daily editorial – Opinion – Chinadaily.com.cn
Donald Trump has secured a critical endorsement just 24 days before the election: the Taliban. CBS News is reporting that the Taliban really wants Donald Trump to be reelected for a second term.
I wonder how the military and the rest of the Republican Party feels about this?
Only Trump
President Trump’s reelection bid received a vote of support Friday from an entity most in his party would reject: the Taliban.
The Taliban on Trump: “We hope he will win the election” and withdraw U.S. troops – CBS News
Portland protesters report severe and lasting side effects from the chemical weapons used during Trump’s “Operation Diligent Valor.
Toxic Chemical Smoke Grenades Used in Portland
Political scientist Katherine J. Cramer has studied the changing political attitudes of rural Wisconsinites — a group that helped put Donald Trump in the White House. “Rural resentment” may not get much attention, but it’s a real and powerful force in US politics.
We Can’t Ignore Rural Voter Resentment
Most Oil Workers Haven’t Heard of the “Just Transition” — But They Do Want To Save Our Planet
While the Green New Deal argues for a “just transition” for fossil fuel industry workers, a new study shows few such workers have heard of the term. Workers can play a decisive role in greening the economy — but only if their own concerns and expertise are central to the transition process.
Most Oil Workers Haven’t Heard of the “Just Transition” — But They Do Want To Save Our Planet
Estranged media scion James Murdoch has said he left his family’s publishing company News Corp over concerns its newspapers were disguising facts and endorsing disinformation.
Hidden agendas: James Murdoch speaks on News Corp exit
According to Melbourne-based newspaper The Age, the aged care crisis which peaked during the second wave of our recent global health pandemics was years in the making. The implications of COVID-19 for 180,000 elderly Australians in aged care facilities have been such that, well over five hundred succumbed to death while in residential care in Victoria alone. According to The Guardian, up to 40 per cent of those residents came from just ten residential settings.
Aged care residents neglected once again
Petition set up by the former PM caused problems for the Parliament House website after more than 38,000 people signed in 24 hours
Kevin Rudd petition calls for royal commission into News Corp domination of Australian media | Media | The Guardian
President Donald Trump, who continues to recover from symptoms of COVID-19 in the wake of his recent hospitalization, repeatedly dodged questions about whether he had recently tested positive for the disease during a lengthy Thursday phone interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity. At one point, the president stopped speaking as he attempted to stifle his cough mid-rant about his former Democratic rival Hillary Clinton. Trump publicly mocked Clinton for contracting pneumonia on the 2016 campaign trail.
Coughing Trump struggles to speak as he dodges Sean Hannity’s questions about his COVID-19 tests | Salon.com
Meanwhile, the president’s most important source of information isn’t the U.S. intelligence community — it’s the dimwitted pro-Trump shills at the network’s morning show, Fox & Friends. The president watches hours of Fox News and its sister network, Fox Business, each day and regularly tweets in response to segments that attract his attention — at times dramatically shifting the news cycle and government policy. He sent 1,146 of these Fox live tweets from September 2018 through August 2020 — 7.5% of his total tweets during that period — according to a new Media Matters report.This Trump-Fox feedback loop impacts the president’s worldview — and thus, the government’s actions — on a scope far beyond any other news outlet in the recent past. And the network’s hold on both have only been strengthened over the course of his administration. Here are 15 ways Fox drove federal policymaking and political events over the last two years.
15 examples of Fox News’ unrivaled federal influence over the last two years | Media Matters for America
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