Category: Uncategorized

Duttonisation – an existential threat to Morrison? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

In summary, this piece argues that Dutton is resolutely determined to elevate his status and eventually take control of the LNP government. From the moment Malcolm Turnbull’s prime ministership came into question, Dutton believed he was the ‘better man’ to replace him, and that his bid for the top job should be supported by his colleagues. There is no evidence that he has abandoned this lofty ambition. In fact, recent revelations show how he and Morrison colluded in this shameful process. And I’m not the only one who sees it that way. Read David Tyler’s Dutton’s naked power grab in The AIM Network, and Kristina Keneally’s assessment of the ‘man who cries wolf’ in The Guardian.

I wonder how Dutton will react to the recent National Press Club statement on the AFP raids and the NPC event on 26 June: Press Freedom – On the line featuring the Managing Director of the ABC, David Anderson, the Chief Executive Officer of Nine, Hugh Marks, and the Executive Chairman Australasia, News Corp, Michael Miller?

Watch Dutton in the months ahead and draw your own conclusions.

via Duttonisation – an existential threat to Morrison? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Old Dog Thoughts UK, USA, & US

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Fighting Fake News, 29/6/19; No clear plans for a Nation what’s the common denominator?

‘Terrifying’ and ‘Unacceptable’: Outrage Mounts Over Manslaughter Charge for Alabama Woman Who Miscarried After Being Shot in the Stomach | Common Dreams News

Marshae Jones

 

Today, Marshae Jones is being charged with manslaughter for being pregnant and getting shot while engaging in an altercation with a person who had a gun. Tomorrow, it will be another black woman, maybe for having a drink while pregnant. And after that, another, for not obtaining adequate prenatal care,” said Yellowhammer’s Reyes. “We commit ourselves to making sure that Marshae is released from jail on bond, assisting with her legal representation, and working to ensure that she gets justice for the multiple attacks that she has endured.”

via ‘Terrifying’ and ‘Unacceptable’: Outrage Mounts Over Manslaughter Charge for Alabama Woman Who Miscarried After Being Shot in the Stomach | Common Dreams News

America’s Biggest Economic Problem Isn’t China | The Smirking Chimp

I’m not suggesting we emulate the Chinese economic system. I am suggesting that we not be smug about the American economic system.

Instead of trying to get China to change, we should lessen the dominance of big American corporations over American policy.

China isn’t the reason half of America hasn’t had a raise in four decades. The simple fact is Americans cannot thrive within a system run largely by big American corporations, organized to boost their share prices but not boost Americans.

via America’s Biggest Economic Problem Isn’t China | The Smirking Chimp

Bosnia’s Concentration Camps and U.S. Abuse of Immigrants

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via Bosnia’s Concentration Camps and U.S. Abuse of Immigrants

Turnbull’s last stand | The Monthly

Why even Dutton knew hew was out of order and not even b an MP (ODT)

Turnbull’s last stand | The Monthly

Why the religious Right needs to be victimised to know it’s alive

Religion and the Religious Right aren’t the same by any means. The religious Right it could be said aren’t even Religious. Christ didn’t mention Homosexuality, yet they want the freedom to attack it and in the meantime, not let the NRL or any other body attack them.  (ODT)

Why the religious Right needs to be victimised to know it’s alive

Tax cuts: Beneficiaries of Coalition’s $158 billion income tax cut revealed

Richard Di Natale says there are the same amount of people in the PM's seat of Cook earning over $180,000 than in the Queensland electorates of Dawson, Maranoa and Capricornia combined.

via Tax cuts: Beneficiaries of Coalition’s $158 billion income tax cut revealed

Police raids and prosecution of whistleblower David McBride spark global condemnation – Michael West

Police raids and prosecution of whistleblower David McBride spark global condemnation

via Police raids and prosecution of whistleblower David McBride spark global condemnation – Michael West

Global investors call for urgent action on transition to a low carbon economy – » The Australian Independent Media Network

via Global investors call for urgent action on transition to a low carbon economy – » The Australian Independent Media Network

It’s just one of those days I feel ashamed to be Australian – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The man nominated by Trump to be the new Secretary of Homeland Security told Fox News that these children are only going to grow up to be criminals so we might as well leave them locked up at the border.

But Trump wants more … and he turns to Australia for inspiration.

via It’s just one of those days I feel ashamed to be Australian – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Scott Morrison on Iran: we’ll ‘seriously’ consider any US request to join military action | World news | The Guardian

Donald Trump and Scott Morrison at a working dinner in Japan on the eve of the G20 summit.

via Scott Morrison on Iran: we’ll ‘seriously’ consider any US request to join military action | World news | The Guardian

Peter Dutton says he renounced financial interest that could have disqualified him | Australia news | The Guardian

Malcolm Turnbull and Peter Dutton

So there was a problem a bigger one than they made Peter Slipper face, (ODT)

Peter Dutton says he renounced financial interest that could have disqualified him | Australia news | The Guardian

Pay Day: Christopher Pyne’s Defence bonanza a fee fillip for EY – Michael West

Pay Day: Christopher Pyne’s Defence bonanza a fee fillip for EY

via Pay Day: Christopher Pyne’s Defence bonanza a fee fillip for EY – Michael West

Old Dog Thoughts- Corruption from the days of the Rum Rebellion is still with us

The decline of Australian corporate culture

Fighting Fake News, 28/6/19; The ACT Swamp; Bolt’s stalker’s obsession about Malcolm Turnbull;

The U.S. Isn’t Winning Any Popularity Contests Among Arabs

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And in a blow to Pompeo’s ratings-conscious boss, just 12% of Arabs said they had a positive view of Donald Trump, far below Vladimir Putin at 28% and Turkish President Recip Tayyib Erdogan at 51%. In fact, Trump’s policies came in dead last in every one of the ten countries surveyed.

The poll involved more than 25,000 people and was carried out by BBC Arabic and the Arab Barometer research network.

via The U.S. Isn’t Winning Any Popularity Contests Among Arabs

European countries set new June heat records amid heatwave – BBC News

People sunbath in front of the Louvre Pyramid (Pyramide du Louvre) during a heatwave in Paris

European countries set new June heat records amid heatwave – BBC News

Agriculture Department buries studies showing dangers of climate change – POLITICO

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The Trump administration has stopped promoting government-funded research into how higher temperatures can damage crops and pose health risks.

via Agriculture Department buries studies showing dangers of climate change – POLITICO

“Brexit” Boris to join Trump and Morrison in the conservative leaders’ club

What is the common denominator between all three? Not thet they are Conservatives but Rupert Murdoch to whom they all bow down. (ODT)

What is this phenomenon, that such a madcap clown is actually considered front-runner against one other opponent, the Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, for the country’s highest office?

“Brexit” Boris to join Trump and Morrison in the conservative leaders’ club

NBN Still On Track For 2016 Completion, Government Says – The Shovel

 

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NBN Still On Track For 2016 Completion, Government Says – The Shovel

Filed under:

It’s ok when we do it – » The Australian Independent Media Network

I say to those who work on the ‘it’s ok when we do it’ philosophy, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

via It’s ok when we do it – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Sydney declares a climate emergency – what does that mean in practice?

Screenshot_2019-06-27 Sydney declares a climate emergency – what does that mean in practice .pngSydney join a variety of local and national governments around the world, in a movement that is increasingly gaining momentum. In total, some 658 local governments around the world have made the same declaration, with the UK and Canada committing their national governments to the global movement in just the past two months.

via Sydney declares a climate emergency – what does that mean in practice?

Australia’s growing debt explodes the myth that Libs are better economic managers – Michael West

via Australia’s growing debt explodes the myth that Libs are better economic managers – Michael West

Going for gold in the Bastard Olympics – » The Australian Independent Media Network

There’s plenty of international competition for the top of the medal count for outstanding achievement in bastardry so how does our own contingent of awfulness stack up against the might of Team USA led by a ludicrous, tangerine blowhard and Team UK who’s grooming a dishevelled, bloated smurf as their Chef de Mission?

Going for gold in the Bastard Olympics – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Old Dog Thoughts- Locked in a closet firing his shotgun Trump keeps missing walls

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Fighting Fake News,27/6/19; Locked in a closet firing a shot gun Trump keeps missing the walls; Things you don’t really see reported by Andrew Bolt; Australia lead the way to the new world of concentration camps;

Old Dog Thoughts- Truth in humour summarised. Trump is the new reality

John Oliver Is Right: If Only Trump Was As Vicious To Russia As He Is To Iran | Crooks and Liars

Screenshot_2019-06-26 John Oliver Is Right If Only Trump Was As Vicious To Russia As He Is To Iran.png

via John Oliver Is Right: If Only Trump Was As Vicious To Russia As He Is To Iran | Crooks and Liars

US border chief set to resign amid controversy over conditions migrant children are living in | The Independent

US border chief set to resign amid controversy over conditions migrant children are living in | The Independent

and

Can the Anti-War Movement of the Silent Majority stop Trump’s Warmongers?

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via Can the Anti-War Movement of the Silent Majority stop Trump’s Warmongers?

Trump caught in Iran War Trap of his own Making

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Trump caught in Iran War Trap of his own Making

Donald Trump threatens Iran with ‘obliteration’, after Tehran calls White House actions ‘mentally retarded’ – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Trump signs an executive order

Taking the words out of Kim Jong Un’s playbook. (ODT)

US President Donald Trump threatened to obliterate parts of Iran if it attacked “anything American”, in a new war of words with Tehran after it condemned the latest US sanctions and called White House actions “mentally retarded”.

via Donald Trump threatens Iran with ‘obliteration’, after Tehran calls White House actions ‘mentally retarded’ – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Robots set to take 20m jobs globally by 2030, SA and Victoria will be hard hit, warns report – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

robot

They will help to produce more things we don’t need and even more waste while increasing unemployment and increasing the myth of necessary growth. If we produced a single non polluting global car one colour it would probably cost less than $5000 and reduce polution at the same time. What’s more it could be a Merc. (ODT)

via Robots set to take 20m jobs globally by 2030, SA and Victoria will be hard hit, warns report – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

ScoMo’s big speech reveals no ideas; no agenda, mandate. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

“Animal Spirits” will be unleashed, ScoMo proclaims, in a dreary rehash of clichés, Monday . The PM copies The Donald, conflating Keynes’ phrase with consumer confidence and laissez-faire economics. Why? “Animal spirits” will roar like a lion when we release the cage of “regulatory and bureaucratic barriers to businesses.” But why so late?

The Coalition has had six years to deregulate. Yet it still can provide no detail. Nor point to any record of success. Perhaps it’s just too modest. In the news currently is Private Security Company, Paladin, awarded $423 million to garrison Manus, without having to worry about an open tender. Or there’s the $444 million quietly slipped to the Great Barrier Reef Foundation a mob of Liberal mates headed up by a former CBA chairman, Dr John M Schubert.

Then there’s Fossil-fuel Energy minister, Angus Taylor, who’s held talks with federal environment officials over an issue at the centre of an illegal land-clearing action brought by the same department against a company part-owned by him and his brother, reports Guardian Australia. We should cheer the healthy disregard for regulation and the way the government appears to back the Taylor family in its alleged quest to bend the rules to help the Taylors to a better life.

via ScoMo’s big speech reveals no ideas; no agenda, mandate. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

It is your journalism that is a “dog’s breakfast”, Andrew – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Has the ABC entirely capitulated?(ODT)

The Australian people are sold short by the dishing up of such tripe. But as we saw with Emma Alberici, factual analysis is no longer welcome at the ABC.

Did it ever occur to you Andrew, that by refusing to split the tax bill, it is actually the Coalition who is blocking tax cuts?

via It is your journalism that is a “dog’s breakfast”, Andrew – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Lost in translation – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Young, vulnerable LGBTIQ are at grave risk of self-harm and suicide because they are too often subject to criticism and bullying because they are ‘different’. Major sports organisations have been working very hard to ensure inclusivity and prevent discrimination on any grounds and Folau has damaged his own prospects by refusing to conform, despite warnings.

via Lost in translation – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Old Dog Thoughts – Stupidity begets stupidity.

US President Donald Trump called statements from Iranian leaders "insulting" and "ignorant".

Fighting Fake News,26/6/19; The kangaroos are loose in the top paddock; The Americanisation of Australia; Credit Thieves; Bolt is as stupid as stupid is;

Billionaires to 2020 Presidential Hopefuls: ‘America Has a Moral, Ethical, and Economic Responsibility to Tax Our Wealth More’ | Common Dreams News

protester

It’s a cry for adjustment not systemic change (ODT)

via Billionaires to 2020 Presidential Hopefuls: ‘America Has a Moral, Ethical, and Economic Responsibility to Tax Our Wealth More’ | Common Dreams News

Bill O’Reilly Ventures Out Of Exile For A Racist Rant | Crooks and Liars

Bill O'Reilly Ventures Out Of Exile For A Racist Rant

Nothing Changed he’s still Bill O’Rielly it wasn’t just the job. (ODT)

via Bill O’Reilly Ventures Out Of Exile For A Racist Rant | Crooks and Liars

A group of Republican politicians are in hiding — and US police have been sent to track them down – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

A poster made in support of Republican politicians who walked out of the Oregon Capitol.

They get paid for this service (ODT)

They get This is important, because while the Democrats have an 18 to 12 majority in the chamber, there must be 20 members present for a quorum — meaning nothing can be done until at least two members return.

“It’s time for the Senate Republicans to show up and do the job they were elected to do,” Oregon Governor Kate Brown said.

via A group of Republican politicians are in hiding — and US police have been sent to track them down – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Phase 2 of Trump’s American Autocracy Has Arrived, and It’s as Bad as Your Worst Fears | The Smirking Chimp

Lesson’s taught by Abbott/Morrison/Dutton gifted to Trump (ODT)

Do you smell something? That’s the stench of freedom dying, and it’s coming from America’s southern border, where refugee children seeking U.S. asylum as they flee murder, rape and degrading conditions in Central America have instead been tossed into a growing gulag of squalid concentration camps, created by an administration desperate to cling to four more years of power.

via Phase 2 of Trump’s American Autocracy Has Arrived, and It’s as Bad as Your Worst Fears | The Smirking Chimp

The unwritten history of Israel’s alliance with the Shah’s dictatorship | +972 Magazine

Shah Mohammad Reza with his consort and crown prince after the coronation, 1967.

For years, Israel maintained close political, economic, and security relations with the Shah of Iran. Newly-declassified documents reveal that Israeli leaders were well aware of his murderous suppression of political opponents.

via The unwritten history of Israel’s alliance with the Shah’s dictatorship | +972 Magazine

Jeremy Hunt calls Boris Johnson a coward for not participating in head-to-head debate – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Conservative party leadership candidate Boris Johnson covers his mouth in front of blue background.

It would seem Johnson isn’t his own man (ODT)

Key points:

Sky cancelled a debate between Jeremy Hunt and Boris Johnson after Mr Johnson declined to take part
Mr Johnson has a 79 per cent implied probability of winning the top job, down from 92 per cent last week
Mr Johnson has repeated that he would lead the United Kingdom out of the EU on October 31 with or without a deal

via Jeremy Hunt calls Boris Johnson a coward for not participating in head-to-head debate – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Fukushima, the ‘nuclear renaissance’ and the Morrison Government

The LNP wants to revisit this power source (ODT)

Fukushima, the ‘nuclear renaissance’ and the Morrison Government

It is your journalism that is a “dog’s breakfast”, Andrew – » The Australian Independent Media Network

ABC is now modelling Sky News (ODT)

Since when did negotiation to make something better become a weakness?

And why on earth does a tax cut that will not come into force until after the next election (or two) have to be legislated now?

Why is it considered irresponsible to wait and see how the economy is doing?

Where is the modelling about the economic outcomes of the three stages of the tax cuts?

Where are the questions about what cuts will be made to compensate for the loss of $158 billion in revenue?

The Grattan Institute released analysis during the election which outlined the government would be forced into making $40bn in spending cuts to meet its forecast surplus and tax cut promises, which the government immediately rejected yet failed to come up with any evidence to counter the institute’s research.

Whilst commentators like Probyn may revel in the intrigue of the Game of Wedge and thrive on any perceived party disunity, what he serves up is more like a gossip column than journalism.

The Australian people are sold short by the dishing up of such tripe. But as we saw with Emma Alberici, factual analysis is no longer welcome at the ABC.

Did it ever occur to you Andrew, that by refusing to split the tax bill, it is actually the Coalition who is blocking tax cuts?

via It is your journalism that is a “dog’s breakfast”, Andrew – » The Australian Independent Media Network

How did the ‘clever country’ end up with a $90 billion botched NBN? – Michael West

How did the ‘clever country’ end up with a $90 billion botched NBN?

via How did the ‘clever country’ end up with a $90 billion botched NBN? – Michael West

Old Dog Thoughts- Who are the real Hypocrites?

Image result for Andrew Bolts imageIsrael Folau's controversial appeal for financial assistance for his legal fight against Rugby Australia has been shut down by GoFundMe Australia.

Fighting Fake News, 25/6/19; 70% of Australians are in favour of Marriage Equality; The Hypocrites here claim to be Australians;

Politicians and The Information Age – » The Australian Independent Media Network

AOC knows the archival power of social media. The current President does not.

Now you might argue Trump’s stream of consciousness approach disregards hypocrisy. Maybe. But the wider society (excluding the MAGA cultists) does not. They have the opportunity to look at the evidence and see his thousand-and-one backflips,

Conclusion: The Role of Independent Media

Governments’ reactions to critical coverage clearly shows that it hits a nerve. Whether Spud screams media bias, or Trump screeches ‘fake news’, this should encourage us. We should continue to speak truth to power. They know they are losing the war and so they screech louder. Forward, my friends. Let us show these dinosaur politicians the true power of the information age.

via Politicians and The Information Age – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Trump Can’t Stay on Script About Iran to Save His Life

Trump Can't Stay on Script About Iran to Save His Life

Under these circumstances, there is no way Iran can make a bomb without everybody knowing it is trying. It would have to kick out the UN inspectors, build thousands more centrifuges under the gaze of US satellites, etc., etc.

So if what Trump wanted was no Iranian nuke, he had that when he was sworn into office in 2017. By breaching the treaty and refusing to reward Iran’s good behavior by ceasing sanctions, Trump put the US on a war footing with Iran.

He has stopped Iran from selling its oil, a form of blockade that probably amounts to an act of war. He is also stopping European concerns from investing in Iran.

It is frustrating that Trump is dancing on the brink of a war for a purpose that had already been attained. This is why it is bad to elect people to high office who have mental health problems.

via Trump Can’t Stay on Script About Iran to Save His Life

Major newspapers largely leave new report of sexual assault by Trump off their front pages

A new report of sexual assault committed by President Donald Trump has come to light, but several major newspapers didn’t find the story important enough to place on their front pages.

via Major newspapers largely leave new report of sexual assault by Trump off their front pages

No Soap For Children? Enough, Goddamnit. Enough. | The Smirking Chimp

 No Soap For Children? Enough, Goddamnit. Enough. | The Smirking Chimp

 

So now we think it’s ok to deny soap and toothpaste to children who are in our custody, locked up to sleep in dog cages on stone floors with sci-fi blankets that look like little more than tinfoil. We think taking children from their parents is ok, and that it’s no big deal if those charged with responsibility for them abuse them sexually, lose track of them, or leave them neglected. We think thuggish ICE guys are good baby sitters, a goon squad of men who don’t seem to have been hired based on qualifications that include basic common decency, with aptitudes that seem more consistent with concentration camp kapos than with good cops, let alone people entrusted with the welfare of children.

Trump Claims Administration Doing ‘Fantastic Job’ Housing Migrant Kids At Border