Category: Informed Comment

Informed Comment

After Introduction of For the People Act, Senate Dems Told to ‘End the Filibuster and Pass’ It | Common Dreams News
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), joined by Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.), speaks during a news conference to announce the introduction of S. 1, the For the People Act, in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, March 17, 2021. (Photo: Caroline Brehman/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)

Amid the GOP’s nationwide voter suppression onslaught that threatens to restrict ballot access for tens of millions of Americans, Senate Democrats’ introduction of the For the People Act on Wednesday was welcomed by progressives who also emphasized that passing the comprehensive plan to strengthen the country’s democracy through the Senate will require the upper chamber’s majority to scrap the anti-democratic 60-vote filibuster.

After Introduction of For the People Act, Senate Dems Told to ‘End the Filibuster and Pass’ It | Common Dreams News
Informed Comment

Nicolle Flint’s “non-political” attack on Labor – » The Australian Independent Media Network
The Face of LNP Politics

Nicolle Flint seemed to be trying for a Julia Gillard moment yesterday when she attacked Anthony Albanese. “I say to the leader of the opposition: I will not be lectured by you. I will not be lectured by your side of politics about the treatment of women in this place.” Ms Flint, after saying that “the safety of women in this place should be above politics,” went on to get very political: “What I say to the Labor party today is that they may not have held the spray can to vandalise my office with sexist slurs and they may not have held the camera pointed at me by the stalker or called me evil in GetUp’s phone calls, but they did create the environment in which hate could flourish.” Oh come on, Nicolle.

Nicolle Flint’s “non-political” attack on Labor – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Morrison Government turns its back on women, triggering its own demise

The Morrison Government’s handling of the Porter rape allegations has seen a seismic shift in the public mood and people have had enough, writes managing editor Michelle Pini.

Morrison Government turns its back on women, triggering its own demise
Informed Comment

What is it like being interviewed by David Speers? Ask the Deputy Prime Minister. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

On Friday of last week, I informed my wife that Michael McCormack would be the guest on ABC Insiders the coming Sunday. “Speers will have him for breakfast,” she answered with a touch of humour. And so it was. A giggling Laura Tingle confirmed my wife’s answer after the interview while the two other panel members just managed to contain themselves. On the one hand, it was hilarious. On the other, it was a strategy that a man so unqualified for leadership was the Deputy Prime Minister of Australia.

What is it like being interviewed by David Speers? Ask the Deputy Prime Minister. – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

How Bidenomics Unites America | The Smirking Chimp

A quarter century ago, I and other members of Bill Clinton’s cabinet urged him to reject the Republican’s proposal to end welfare. It was too punitive, we said, subjecting poor Americans to deep and abiding poverty. But Clinton’s political advisers warned that unless he went along, he jeopardized his reelection.

How Bidenomics Unites America | The Smirking Chimp
Informed Comment

Teachers and nurses fund Aware Super now exposed to Lendlease retirement village rorts as Tax Office dawdles – Michael West
Steve McCann, Lendlease, ATO

Lendlease’s tax scam rivals the biggest heists of the century – alongside Rupert Murdoch, Chevron and Macquarie Bank. Yet its effects are spreading from a mere rip on the ATO to the nurses and teachers fund Aware Super which just acquired a chunk of retirement village assets. If Lendlease can ‘double dip’ on tax deductions, then anybody can. It opens up the Tax Office to millions of amended assessments. Michael West reports.

Teachers and nurses fund Aware Super now exposed to Lendlease retirement village rorts as Tax Office dawdles – Michael West
Informed Comment, Uncategorized

The ‘American Dream’ of upward mobility is broken. Look at the numbers | US news | The Guardian
People wait in line to receive food at a food bank in Brooklyn, New York, April 28, 2020.

The US has far less mobility and equality of opportunity today than almost the entire European Union

The ‘American Dream’ of upward mobility is broken. Look at the numbers | US news | The Guardian
Informed Comment

Military might, market ideology and moral posturing: A toxic combination that has poisoned America | Salon.com
main article image

Americans take credit; we never admit wrongdoing. Taking responsibility for oneself is what we preach to other people and other countries. The Navy’s recruiting slogan says it all: “A Global Force for Good.” That’s only true in a comic book right-wing world, or one in which other countries are as forgiving of our “mistakes” as we ourselves are. In fact, that is the unspoken demand we make of them.

Military might, market ideology and moral posturing: A toxic combination that has poisoned America | Salon.com
Informed Comment

The trouble with being privileged is that you cannot fathom what it is like for those who are not – » The Australian Independent Media Network

When Linda Reynolds and Christian Porter shed public tears, it was not for a young employee who had allegedly been raped in your workplace by another hand-picked employee, it was not for a friend from years ago who had tragically taken her own life. Oh no, those tears were solely about the possible political consequences for the Ministers involved.

The trouble with being privileged is that you cannot fathom what it is like for those who are not – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment, Uncategorized

JobSeeker Hypocrisy: ‘rule of law’ for Porter but not for those below poverty line – Michael West
JobKeeper payment

Eight people are competing for every available job yet the Morrison Governmentcontinues to blame people themselves for being unemployed, putting the Coalition in breach of a key international treaty for as long as it refuses to raise JobSeeker to the poverty line. A Senate Committee hands down its report into JobSeeker when Parliament resumes next week. A clear commitment to increase the rate by of $250 a fortnight is vital to put pressure on the Government to do the right thing, legally and morally. Emma Dawson reports.

JobSeeker Hypocrisy: ‘rule of law’ for Porter but not for those below poverty line – Michael West
Informed Comment

We Are All Living in Rupert Murdoch’s World

We Are All Living in Rupert Murdoch’s World
SAVE THE ABC

The right-wing media baron Rupert Murdoch turns 90 today. His news empire has been instrumental in reshaping the world in the image cast by conservative elites. The need to build a robust and democratic alternative media has never been more urgent.

We Are All Living in Rupert Murdoch’s World
Informed Comment

Mass Layoffs at the Huffington Post Signal Doom for Journalism

Mass Layoffs at the Huffington Post Signal Doom for Journalism

A massive round of layoffs at the Huffington Post confirms that the media industry stands at the edge of a precipice. The only way it can shield itself from the whims of sadistic media baron owners who care nothing for journalism is by looking beyond capitalist ownership.

Mass Layoffs at the Huffington Post Signal Doom for Journalism
Informed Comment

Hydrogen Hype: Angus Taylor’s last throw of the dice for brown coal – Michael West
Hydrogen green washing

Energy Minister Angus Taylor’s plan to turn brown coal into a hydrogen export market to save the La Trobe Valley, which he described as a “significant project”, defies financial credibility, writes Brian Toohey.

Hydrogen Hype: Angus Taylor’s last throw of the dice for brown coal – Michael West
Informed Comment

Several countries suspend AstraZeneca jabs

Health authorities in Denmark, Iceland and Norway say they have temporarily suspended the use of AstraZeneca’s COVID-19 vaccine shots after reports of the formation of blood clots in some who have been vaccinated. The move comes after Austria stopped using a batch of AstraZeneca shots while investigating a death from coagulation disorders and an illness from a pulmonary embolism. Danish health authorities said the country’s decision to suspend the shots for two weeks came after a 60-year old woman in Denmark, who was given an AstraZeneca shot from the same batch that was used in Austria, formed a blood clot and died.

Several countries suspend AstraZeneca jabs
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
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
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
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
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
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
Informed Comment

AOC Warns Biden That Giving Relief Checks to Fewer People Than Trump Would Be Nonsensical ‘Own-Goal’ | Common Dreams News
Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) speaks during a news conference outside of the Democratic National Headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, November 19, 2020.

Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez on Wednesday strongly pushed back against a move by Senate Democrats and President Joe Biden to further restrict the number of people who will receive direct payments under the emerging coronavirus aid package, warning the new eligibility structure would deny direct relief to people who received checks during Donald Trump’s presidency.

AOC Warns Biden That Giving Relief Checks to Fewer People Than Trump Would Be Nonsensical ‘Own-Goal’ | Common Dreams News
Informed Comment

Drug Lobby Asks Biden to Punish Countries Pushing for Low-Cost Vaccines
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - 2021/03/03: A healthcare worker holds a vial of the Pfizer-BioNTech Covid-19 vaccine during the first phase of the country nationwide vaccination drive at the Hospital UiTM in Sungai Buloh, outskirts of Kuala Lumpur. (Photo by Wong Fok Loy/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)

administration is being asked to punish Hungary, Colombia, Chile, and other countries for seeking to ramp up the production of Covid-19 vaccines and therapeutics without express permission from pharmaceutical companies. The sanctions are being urged by the drug industry, which has filed hundreds of pages of documents to the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative outlining the alleged threat posed by any effort to challenge “basic intellectual property protections” in the response to the coronavirus pandemic.

Drug Lobby Asks Biden to Punish Countries Pushing for Low-Cost Vaccines
Informed Comment

Wednesday was a weird day – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Angus Campbell isn’t a bad man. The vast majority of Australian men aren’t ‘bad’ men. But they still seem to think it is a woman’s fault if she gets raped. Don’t be out after midnight. Don’t drink. Don’t be alone. Don’t look attractive. Or you risk becoming ‘prey’? Do men feel that way? If a man goes out with his mates and gets pissed, does that make him a likely target for anal rape?

Wednesday was a weird day – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Why Trump’s Takeover of the GOP is Great for Biden and the Democrats (but a Potential Disaster for America) | The Smirking Chimp

As the Trump Party takes over the GOP, anti-Trump Republicans are abandoning the party in droves – thereby weakening it for general elections while simultaneously strengthening Trump’s hand inside it. It’s great news for Democrats and Joe Biden.

Why Trump’s Takeover of the GOP is Great for Biden and the Democrats (but a Potential Disaster for America) | The Smirking Chimp
Informed Comment

The Presumption Of Innocence Is Reserved For Those With A Good Lawyer… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Too often we say that someone was cleared of an offence when it was simply that there wasn’t enough proof to convict. O.J. Simpson was found “Not guilty” but I’d suggest that nobody would be prepared to say categorically that he was innocent of the crime. So with no complainant and the police unlikely to proceed, exactly what can happen from here? Mm, well I’m pretty sure the police won’t be proceeding, so we’re left with the Monopoly card. If nobody’s convicted then everyone’s not guilty and entitled to the presumption of innocence and that’s the way it should be, because under this government unless it’s a hanging offence you don’t resign – unless you’re a woman. And the PM asked the alleged man and he allegedly rejected the accusation and that should be enough. I look forward to Martin Bryant’s release any day now…

The Presumption Of Innocence Is Reserved For Those With A Good Lawyer… – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Whatever the Liberal Party is, it is not a place for women – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day At some time in the human narrative… in our history, the man declared himself superior to women. It must have been an accident, or at least an act of gross stupidity. But that’s men for you. ( John Lord )

Whatever the Liberal Party is, it is not a place for women – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

There’s no excuse, we need full employment now
xxx
Government needs to create jobs to lower unemployment and raise wages. It’s interest however to keep unemployment and keep wages low. Then blame the unemployed

And here’s something else to remember: the Reserve has begun warning that we won’t get back to meaningful real wage growth until we get back to full employment.

There’s no excuse, we need full employment now
Informed Comment, LNP

The only jobs the Nats are concerned about are their own – » The Australian Independent Media Network

When you have a leader whose most memorable contribution has been a rather tragic Elvis impersonation, I guess it’s understandable that the natives might get restless. But in the last few weeks, the Nats have gone so far off reservation they seem to be occupying a totally different universe.

The only jobs the Nats are concerned about are their own – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

The Freedom to Freeze | The Smirking Chimp

Texas’s prevailing social Darwinism was expressed most succinctly last week by the mayor of Colorado City, who accused his constituents – trapped in near sub-zero temperatures and complaining about lack of heat, electricity, and drinkable water – of being the “lazy” products of a “socialist government,” adding “I’m sick and tired of people looking for a damn handout!” and predicting “only the strong will survive and the weak will perish.”

The Freedom to Freeze | The Smirking Chimp
Informed Comment

How Morrison’s media bargaining code sold Australia’s soul to wretched Rupert and Mark Zuckerberg

The News Media Bargaining Code will only further cement what the backward NBN began: a smaller, less informed, more conservative and less democratic Australia. Managing editor Michelle Pini and founder and director David Donovan report.

How Morrison’s media bargaining code sold Australia’s soul to wretched Rupert and Mark Zuckerberg
Informed Comment, Uncategorized

Finding the truth and reporting it is more important than creating a narrative where controversy matters more – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The ability of thinking human beings to blindly embrace what they are being told without referring to evaluation and the consideration of reason never ceases to amaze me. It is tantamount to the rejection of rational explanation. ( John Lord )

Finding the truth and reporting it is more important than creating a narrative where controversy matters more – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Workers Should Take Back Control of Their Pension Funds

Australia’s pension funds control nearly $3 trillion of workers’ capital, but they’re currently dominated by corporate interests. The labor movement should take back control over them from bankers and use the funds to build a better future.

Workers Should Take Back Control of Their Pension Funds
Informed Comment

A tale of two wrongs: A rape and the Prime Minister’s response – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Another thought At some time in the human narrative… in our history, man declared himself superior to women. It must have been an accident, or at least an act of gross stupidity. But that’s men for you. ( John Lord )

A tale of two wrongs: A rape and the Prime Minister’s response – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

The U.S. Senate Is a Global Problem | The Smirking Chimp

“Dear centrist Democrats, you couldn’t even get 10 GOP votes to convict the guy who sent a mob to kill you all. You think you can get them to vote on issues like immigration/climate? Come on,” immigrant rights activist Erika Andiola has tweeted. “You have to end the filibuster and use every tool at your disposal to get things done.” It’s a good point, but why not think big? What about eliminating the Senate altogether?

The U.S. Senate Is a Global Problem | The Smirking Chimp
Informed Comment

The contradictions of “cancel culture”: Where elite liberalism goes to die | Salon.com
main article image
The substructure and foundation of evil

But Campbell was also, despite a slew of death threats he received from white segregationists, an unofficial chaplain to the local chapter of the Ku Klux Klan. He denounced and publicly fought the Klan’s racism, acts of terror and violence and marched with Black civil rights protesters in his native Mississippi, but he steadfastly refused to “cancel” white racists out of his life. He refused to demonize them as less than human. He insisted that this form of racism, while evil, was not as insidious as a capitalist system that perpetuated the economic misery and instability that pushed whites into the ranks of violent, racist organizations.

The contradictions of “cancel culture”: Where elite liberalism goes to die | Salon.com
Informed Comment

The daggy dad’s empathy vacuum – » The Australian Independent Media Network

It was no surprise to hear that Morrison’s government paid $190,000 of taxpayer money to an empathy consultant on how best to show drought-stricken farmers they care about them. Scotty doesn’t do empathy unless the focus groups suggest he should pretend to care and someone else explains to him what that looks like.

The daggy dad’s empathy vacuum – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

When will Conservatives ever treat women with a modicum of decency, even dignity? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day History is just an ongoing commentary on the incompetence of men.( John Lord)

When will Conservatives ever treat women with a modicum of decency, even dignity? – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Note To Morrison: “You’re Going To Need A Bigger Carpet!” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

With all the things that the Coalition have swept under the carpet, I can’t help but think it’s about time someone asked the Promo Minister if he has any plans to get a bigger one.

Note To Morrison: “You’re Going To Need A Bigger Carpet!” – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Claiming credit when it’s not due – » The Australian Independent Media Network

A lot can be explained about conservatives’ view by Scotty’s belief that “the economy is what people live in. It’s real.” Actually, we live in a society. Rather than Morrison’s view that “it all begins with keeping our economy strong”, it begins with supporting our people to be strong – facilitating them to be their best. Economic and social benefits flow from this rather than the other way around. Coalition governments measure their success by corporate profits and private wealth. Labor governments invest in the people.

Claiming credit when it’s not due – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Who’s running this show? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Perhaps if politicians paid a little more attention to their job and less to their photo shoots and “announcables” they might have a better handle on what is happening in their offices and departments. But that might mean they had to take some responsibility when it’s so much easier to blame someone else and, if necessary, find them a new lucrative position elsewhere.

Who’s running this show? – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

The revolving door of Conservative wrongdoings – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day We exercise our involvement in our democracy every three years by voting. After that, the vast majority takes very little interest. Why is it so? ( John Lord )

The revolving door of Conservative wrongdoings – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Why The Public Don’t Understand The Give And Take Of Political Interviews! – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Or could we start by simply acknowledging that the Canberra press gallery have basically argued that they need to keep sweet with politicians and print their press releases without much criticism or else they’ll miss out on getting the scoop of the early press release?

Why The Public Don’t Understand The Give And Take Of Political Interviews! – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

AdRorts: the latest corrupt practice in a prodigious body of Coalition dirty work – Michael West
ad rorts #adrorts

Is the Covid-19 vaccine the Liberal Party’s vaccine or the Australian Government’s vaccine? It’s not their money but the Liberal Party has its logo plastered across advertisements for millions in Government grants. This #AdRort campaign is but the latest in a grotesque throng of rorts, such that this must surely be the most corrupt government in Australia’s history. Elizabeth Minter and Michael West report.

AdRorts: the latest corrupt practice in a prodigious body of Coalition dirty work – Michael West
Informed Comment

Religion and politics can agree, but rarely do (part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day Science has made in my lifetime, the most staggering achievements and they are embraced, recognised and enjoyed by all sections of society. The only areas that I can think of where Science is questioned are in the religious fever of climate change, conservative politics and unconventional religious belief. ( John Lord )

Religion and politics can agree, but rarely do (part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Informed Comment

Kevin Rudd links Rupert Murdoch to Capitol insurrection
Screenshot_2021-02-11 Latest News - Breaking Australian and World News The New Daily
After Whitlam Australia was Murdoch’s training ground for his business model

Kevin Rudd has made blistering accusations that News Corp runs a “protection racket” for the government and acts to “radicalise” Australians, drawing links between founder Rupert Murdoch and the deadly insurrection at the US Capitol on January 6.

Kevin Rudd links Rupert Murdoch to Capitol insurrection