Category: Informed Comment

The weight of so much baggage – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Australians in their somewhat laconic fashion voted to give arguably the worst government in its history another term in office. Little did they know that it would continue carrying its baggage around with it like lost passengers at a domestic baggage terminal.

When you take a look at the current load of baggage it is carrying you realise that nothing has changed. Their propensity for stuffing things up compares with not being able to find one’s car at the Melbourne airport and then not being able to afford the car parking.

via The weight of so much baggage – » The Australian Independent Media Network

ScoMo to BoJo — how the U.S. far Right is reshaping the world

BRITAIN NOW HAS the most far-Right Government in its history with the ascension of Boris Johnson to Prime Minister. Johnson is the epitome of a Monty Python, upper-class twit but with more than a touch of thuggish bully. The UK press has given Johnson the moniker “BoJo” which is frighteningly similar to the moniker given to our very own far-Right ScoMo.

However, the similarities between Morrison and Johnson’s rise to the top go a lot further — both are part of a drive to install far-Right governments to advance the interests of U.S. imperialism. In both cases, the Murdoch press played a significant role in destabilising their predecessors.

Journalist Anthony Hilton claims Murdoch explained he was so opposed to the EU because:

“When I go into Downing Street they do what I say; when I go to Brussels they take no notice.”

A faction of the U.S. ruling class has decided the answer to the connected crisis of a struggling economy and rising social inequality domestically and declining power abroad is fascism. They are now attempting to reorganise the world to achieve this goal.

via ScoMo to BoJo — how the U.S. far Right is reshaping the world

The Myth of the Rugged Individual | The Smirking Chimp

via The Myth of the Rugged Individual | The Smirking Chimp

Fencegate: lawyer arrested, charged with crimes against humanity for sending too many emails to local council – Michael West

Fencegate: lawyer arrested, charged with crimes against humanity for sending too many emails to local council

via Fencegate: lawyer arrested, charged with crimes against humanity for sending too many emails to local council – Michael West

And the dead are many – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The “why” of it tells me that a long time ago the right to bear arms was given because at the time, lawlessness ran rampart.

It may well have been justified in the early 1800s, however, to justify the need today is to also suggest that law enforcement in the greatest country in the world has made no progress.

The word greatest doesn’t belong here. Nor does vengeance beside it.(John Lord)

via And the dead are many – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Retailers also thrown on the Coalition’s scrapheap

Friday’s (2 August) Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) retail sales figures confirm Australia is enduring its worst retail trade period on record.

Why? Because Australian citizens no longer have the discretionary spending power they have long enjoyed. That this is happening during an extraordinary worldwide boom in investment, jobs, growth and profits is a damning indictment of the Morrison Government’s economic management. Another one.

via Retailers also thrown on the Coalition’s scrapheap

Problem Industries and The Way Forward – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Conclusion: The Way Forward

You can see the problem and its solution coming, can you not? The issue is corruption: money in politics. Corporations would never have been granted the degree of influence they have were it not for our corrupt politicians. The deregulation and increasingly fascist relationship between corporations and government would never have been allowed to happen if it were not for corruption.

The purpose of this piece has been to outline three main industries were profits are determined by negatively impacting people’s lives: health, prison and armed combat. As long as these facets of society remain subject to the rationales of private industry (profit at all costs) there can, and will, be no progress.

To end, two quotes from people who get it

Jailing people, really, when you think about it, turned out to be a for-profit industry. I don’t know how we didn’t see it all these years

Bill Maher

But my favourite has to be Star Trek DS9’s Quark, who said

No-one ever went broke selling weapons

via Problem Industries and The Way Forward – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Reforming question time: A few less mouths that roar – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

To those who think they can win a debate by being loud and crass. I say be quiet. To those who think they can win with a perceived superior intellect I say be humble. Discourse requires civility in order to produce reasoned outcomes.( John Lord)

via Reforming question time: A few less mouths that roar – » The Australian Independent Media Network

In Barnaby’s world, everything is about him – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via In Barnaby’s world, everything is about him – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Foreign influence in Australian politics – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Next week, Australia will host its first Australian Conservative Political Action Conference, or CPAC. The organiser says the event will “not be a one-off” and that its US backers, the American Conservative Union (ACU), had committed to holding the event long-term.

You also get to hear from ACU’s executive director Dan Schneider and their chairman, Trump fundraiser Matt Schlapp, whose wife Mercedes is Trump’s Director of Strategic Communications. In his role as vice president of federal affairs at Koch Companies Public Sector, LLC, Schlapp directed the major federal public policy strategies on anti-environmental and energy policies, financial markets, legal reform, and international and domestic tax issues.

For your entertainment, you can also listen to Nigel Farage – the man who so desperately wanted Brexit and then had no idea what to do with it when he got it.

Home grown contributions will come from luminaries like Craig Kelly, Mark Latham, Tony Abbott and Amanda Stoker as well as Fox News host Jeanine Pirro and sundry kids from the IPA.

The ACU have been involved with some shady fundraising practices in the past. Asked whether they saw an Australian conference as a financial opportunity, Cooper disagreed. “My perception of the ACU is that they are looking to spread their message,” he said. “If anything they are going to be investing in us for a long, long time.”

Considering how the government is going in the US and the UK, I fail to see what advice we could get from this bunch of tossers.

Unless it’s on how to put a fool in power.

via Foreign influence in Australian politics – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Where Your Tax Dollars Really Go | The Smirking Chimp

via Where Your Tax Dollars Really Go | The Smirking Chimp

Government paralysis – » The Australian Independent Media Network

There will be no social reform under this government – no Voice for Indigenous people, no help for the unemployed, no fair distribution of the wealth earned from 28 years of economic growth, no action on cutting emissions.

They are paralysed by the bullet lodged in their spine.

via Government paralysis – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Robert Reich: The Real Reason We Need to Impeach Trump Immediately – Truthdig

Robert Reich: The Real Reason We Need to Impeach Trump Immediately

via Robert Reich: The Real Reason We Need to Impeach Trump Immediately – Truthdig

State murder in the name of his re-election – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via State murder in the name of his re-election – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The Real Reason For Impeachment | The Smirking Chimp

via The Real Reason For Impeachment | The Smirking Chimp

Having a constant pool of unemployed workers is deliberate policy | Van Badham | Opinion | The Guardian

A man walks past a hand painted hire sign in the NSW outback town of Bourke

via Having a constant pool of unemployed workers is deliberate policy | Van Badham | Opinion | The Guardian

Here’s to your health, if you can afford it, that is – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via Here’s to your health, if you can afford it, that is – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Of Course Trump Is a Racist — and His Wall Street Enablers Know It | The Smirking Chimp

via Of Course Trump Is a Racist — and His Wall Street Enablers Know It | The Smirking Chimp

Newstart, wage theft and fat ducks

If you’re trying to “have a go” in order to put food on the table, don’t expect to “get a go” from this Coalition Government, writes executive editor Michelle Pini.

LET THEM EAT CAKE

And according to the PM, who has actively opposed any suggestion of an increase to the Newstart payment,

“They [Newstart recipients] don’t just live on Newstart alone.”

That’s right! Lucky Newstart recipients also get an “energy supplement” of $4.40 a week!

This, of course, would not buy the lucky ducks dinner at Heston Blumenthal‘s Fat Duck pop-up in Melbourne, where the starting cost per person (excluding wine) was $525 back in 2015. Blumenthal, incidentally, has also struggled to pay his workers according to the law. But this extra government “assistance”, in fact, doesn’t even cover the cost of a weekly Happy Meal, which is currently $5.30.

Let them eat cake, eh, Mr Morrison? Well, probably not cake served in any establishment of the abovementioned restaurateurs.

Newstart is below the poverty line. That is all anyone with a heart or a full stomach needs to know.

If you’re just trying to “have a go” in order to put food on the table, however, don’t expect to be getting a go from this Coalition Government.

via Newstart, wage theft and fat ducks

Boris’s blonde ambitions – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The United Kingdom is Europe’s great pacifier, but deserting the EU at the urging of a band of chronic liars, might mean the end of its illustrious tradition as one of the world’s great civilisations.

via Boris’s blonde ambitions – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Serving the people, your ideology, or serving God. What comes first? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

Nothing has ever stood in the way of science and technology. Its advancement has been staggering. So why are the conservative political forces so opposed to it? ( John Lord)

via Serving the people, your ideology, or serving God. What comes first? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

‘Bad science’: Australian studies found to be unreliable, compromised

Simon Gandevia is an academic who studies the work of other scientists and believes much is flawed.

Why is this banner so misleading attacking “Science” rather specifically “Medical Research” Which is more often than not tied  at the hip to the funding by Big Pharma and Venture Capital. Why isn’t the banner “Capitalism corrupts  Scientific research” “Capitalism compromises Medical Research”  but No Ch9 has gone the way of the Herald Sun. Sensationalism first news the afterthought if any thought at all but ratings first. (ODT)

via ‘Bad science’: Australian studies found to be unreliable, compromised

Of course Donald Trump is a racist – and his Wall Street enablers know it | Robert Reich | Opinion | The Guardian

Donald Trump greets business leaders beside president and CEO of JP Morgan Jamie Dimon, at the White House in 2017.

via Of course Donald Trump is a racist – and his Wall Street enablers know it | Robert Reich | Opinion | The Guardian

Yes, Barnaby, you were wrong – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via Yes, Barnaby, you were wrong – » The Australian Independent Media Network

There is also a drought of compassion – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via There is also a drought of compassion – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The failure of the small government approach – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via The failure of the small government approach – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Trump versus the Democratic ‘squad’: A battle for America’s soul

Any Australian who has been paying even a bit of attention over the past decade would recognise these slogans. They are a staple of the nativist and racist faction of the conservative side of Australian politics.

Now they have become embedded in American political discourse during a week in which President Trump shamelessly lied about four female members of Congress who are also women of colour and progressive Democrats who came to prominence during the “blue wave” of the 2018 mid-term elections.

These women – who have been given the nickname “the squad” – are a major irritation to Donald Trump. They are smart, they’re fierce, they are also women of colour. Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez is Hispanic, Ilhan Omar was born in Somalia, Rashida Tlaib’s roots are Palestinian and Ayanna Pressley is African-American.

Tlaib and Omar are also Muslim.

via Trump versus the Democratic ‘squad’: A battle for America’s soul

Know your place; we were born to rule (part 2) – Morrison and the religious connection – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via Know your place; we were born to rule (part 2) – Morrison and the religious connection – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Why I’m not signing up to demand the Government legislate press freedom laws

via Why I’m not signing up to demand the Government legislate press freedom laws

Jim Molan says he deserves to be gifted a Senate spot – again – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via Jim Molan says he deserves to be gifted a Senate spot – again – » The Australian Independent Media Network

How Corporate Welfare Hurts You | The Smirking Chimp

via How Corporate Welfare Hurts You | The Smirking Chimp

Michael Mansell: If the choice is between Treaty or Voice, I say Treaty | NITV

via Michael Mansell: If the choice is between Treaty or Voice, I say Treaty | NITV

Know your place; we were born to rule (part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

Invariably when I read about how successful people are, the measure is always the value of their assets. Why is this so?

via Know your place; we were born to rule (part 1) – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Australian Government Fought For 17 Months To Conceal Inappropriate Questioning Of Gay Asylum Seekers

The Department of Government Secrets (ODT)

Australian Government Fought For 17 Months To Conceal Inappropriate Questioning Of Gay Asylum Seekers

and

These Are The “Inappropriate” Questions Asylum-Seekers Were Asked By Australia To Prove They Were Gay

I dunno about you but I felt a whole lot safer when we had an atheist in charge – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via I dunno about you but I felt a whole lot safer when we had an atheist in charge – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Who are the best managers of the economy: Labor or the Coalition? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via Who are the best managers of the economy: Labor or the Coalition? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The batshit crazy ramblings of Barnaby Joyce – » The Australian Independent Media Network

I will make one prediction; after this is published it will be promptly followed by the remnants of the traditional media in furious pursuit of my heresy. Questions will be asked by the fourth estate and high octane derision will issue forth from the climate change actionistas.

via The batshit crazy ramblings of Barnaby Joyce – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Australian Values are for migrants, not governments – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via Australian Values are for migrants, not governments – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The 4 Biggest Conservative Lies About Inequality | The Smirking Chimp

via The 4 Biggest Conservative Lies About Inequality | The Smirking Chimp

What lazy bastards they are – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via What lazy bastards they are – » The Australian Independent Media Network

There is no ‘right’ v ‘left’: it is Trump and the oligarchs against the rest | Robert Reich | Opinion | The Guardian

Donald Trump makes two fists while making a public appearance.

I keep hearing that the Democratic party has moved “left” and that Democratic candidates may be “too far left”.
But in an era of unprecedented concentration of wealth and political power at the top, I can’t help wondering what it means to be “left”.

A half-century ago, when America had a large and growing middle class, those on the “left” sought stronger social safety nets and more public investment in schools, roads and research. Those on the “right” sought greater reliance on the free market.

But as wealth and power have concentrated at the top, everyone else – whether on the old right or the old left – has become disempowered and less secure.

via There is no ‘right’ v ‘left’: it is Trump and the oligarchs against the rest | Robert Reich | Opinion | The Guardian

The first step towards fixing a problem is to admit you have one – » The Australian Independent Media Network

This government is addicted to ideology and slogans. Until they start being honest about the reality of the problem’s we face as a nation, we will continue down the slide of an increasingly divided and fractured society where selfishness and greed are the only motives and more and more people fall through the cracks. The beauty of our natural wonders and our unique wildlife will be lost.

The government has delivered tax cuts. Some of us who already have a job will get an extra 20 bucks a week.

So fucking what?

via The first step towards fixing a problem is to admit you have one – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Labor lost some skin but it’s still in the game – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

“You cannot possibly believe in democracy if at the same time you think your party is the only one that should ever win.” (John Lord)

via Labor lost some skin but it’s still in the game – » The Australian Independent Media Network

When you put it all together it, does sound a bit suspicious. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

The ability of thinking human beings to blindly embrace what they are being told in any area of scholarship without referring to evaluation and the consideration of scientific fact, truth and reason, never ceases to amaze me. It is tantamount to the rejection of rationale explanation.( John Lord)

via When you put it all together it, does sound a bit suspicious. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Ah Bridget, too far? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

USE OF PUBLIC RESOURCES

Bridget McKenzie is taking full advantage of the opportunities afforded to her.

In 2017, despite being a Victorian backbencher, Bridget claimed thousands of dollars to attend a shooting awards ceremony in Sydney.

Bridget loves to turn up for a photo when grants are being handed out to small sporting clubs. Considering the cost of having her in the photo often exceeds the grant, one wonders if it wouldn’t be better left to the local member to hand over the grant, perhaps with several thousand extra saved if Bridget didn’t insist on being there.

In September last year, the senator farewelled the Australian Youth Olympic team before attending the NRL grand final and staying at a hotel. Which might have been ok except she was scheduled to speak at a function farewelling the same junior team the next day. Obviously, their departure was a day late for the footie so saying bye twice was necessary.

Politicians are “personally responsible” for deciding if their use of public resources “achieves value for money”, is “publicly justifiable” and is “ethical”, according to the IPEA guidelines updated in January 2018.

The IPEA also says MPs should be “prepared to publicly justify your use of public resources” and “bear community expectations in mind because your use will be measured against these”.

Which begs the question – ah Bridget, too far?

via Ah Bridget, too far? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Robert Reich: Patriotism v. Nationalism – YouTube

via Robert Reich: Patriotism v. Nationalism – YouTube

The RBA must be tearing their hair out – » The Australian Independent Media Network

It is inconceivable that they would choose now to pay down debt when they could borrow money at such low rates and really kick start the economy through government spending on productivity enhancing investments.

It’s not only the surplus fetish that is a problem as former head of the RBA, Bernie Fraser, points out. The government’s self-imposed cap on tax-to-GDP would also act as a restraint on the economy.

“What this dopey cap does is that it acts as a cap, not just on tax but also on expenditure, so if you have to do something you’ve created a problem for yourself,” he said.

With borrowing costs so low, an exchange rate at the bottom end of its range in recent times, surging iron ore prices boosting our terms of trade, and a nominally low level of unemployment, things should be going a lot better than they are.

But the reality is that social security payments are too low and many people are living in poverty, wages have stagnated, underemployment is rising and job security is falling.

Yet all this government can talk about is tax cuts for the wealthy and delivering a surplus.

via The RBA must be tearing their hair out – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Democrats, This Isn’t Politics as Usual | The Smirking Chimp

via Democrats, This Isn’t Politics as Usual | The Smirking Chimp

Should We Abolish Billionaires? | The Smirking Chimp

Should We Abolish Billionaires? | The Smirking Chimp

It is better to be informed by the truth than be controlled by lies – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

Do you shape the truth for the sake of good impression? On the other hand, do you tell the truth even if it may tear down the view people may have off you? Alternatively, do you simply use the contrivance of omission and create another lie. I can only conclude that there is always pain in truth but there is no harm in it. ( John Lord)

via It is better to be informed by the truth than be controlled by lies – » The Australian Independent Media Network