LNP “Normal Weather” Murdochians duck for cover in their denials of Climate Change. (ODT)
via “Get out Now!” Australia’s Climate-Driven Extreme Fire Danger forces 30,000 to Evacuate
Instead it delights in thumbing its nose at democracy and transparency; turning its back on expert advice.
Above all, as the Liberal Forum annual gathering at Kevin McCann’s pad in Mosman last week so powerfully attests this is a government that has betrayed any ideals it may once have had in favour of Machiavellian pragmatism to keep itself in power for power’s sake and to serve the interests of its powerful corporate backers. It is not just a degenerate form of its earlier self; it is in a dangerously dysfunctional state of decay.
via A dangerously dysfunctional state of decay. – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Trump stock market rally is far outpacing past US presidents,” and he vowed that the “BEST IS YET TO COME!” Trump is making the economy and stock market a key focus on his re-election campaign. He often likes to claim this is the “best” or an “unprecedented” scenario, even when that is not the case.
via The Trump share rally is good, but still lags Obama and Clinton
“I will do everything in my power to enable Australia to be restored to responsible government.”
That is a big ask for an individual, but I know I am not alone.
My New Year Resolution: Goodbye, Morrison – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Trump has torn up the record books when it comes to mass- shootings and numbers killed during his term in office. (ODT)
Key points:
Guns were the weapon used in all bar eight of the mass killings to take place
The number of people killed was 211, just 13 shy of 2017 when the worst massacre in US history took place
The Walmart shooting in El Paso, Texas saw more people killed than any other mass killing this year
Trump capturing attention any way he can (ODT)
via Here Are Mother Jones’ Most-Read Stories of 2019—and the Decade – Mother Jones
A breath of fresh air No a cool refreshing storm has swept across American politics…AOC (ODT)
“The undeniable fact is that Ocasio-Cortez has been the rock star of the political left since she pulled off her shock defeat of 10-term incumbent Joseph Crowley.”
—Mehdi Hasan, journalistOcasio-Cortez garnered national media attention in mid-2018 for her landslide victory in a primary race for New York’s solidly blue 14th Congressional District, which ousted longtime Democratic Rep. Joe Crowley. She has since used her national platform to promote progressive policies on key issues such as the climate crisis and healthcare—and support fellow political candidates who share her priorities.
In October, Ocasio-Cortez endorsed Sanders for president. The past couple months, Politico explained, “Ocasio-Cortez has become a supercharged surrogate for Sanders in early-voting and delegate-rich states. As she’s drawn massive crowds alongside the Vermont senator in Iowa, Nevada, California, and New York, progressive insiders and activists are increasingly whispering about Ocasio-Cortez inheriting the movement one day—and running for the White House with it behind her.”
2x Never Trumpers (ODT)
via World’s 500 Richest People Gained $1.2 Trillion in Wealth in 2019: Analysis | Common Dreams News
Digital Literacy
All Left Parties in opposition or in State Power, must make it a priority to encourage or fund digital literacy programs. If they can do neither, the Federal Leadership must be proactive in promoting this via their own channels.
The Labor Party has the power and the technology to create tools to counter claims from all types of propaganda. Speak loud and speak often, via text and video. Importantly, be bold enough to respond to claims made via comments on Social Media. Make it known that truth telling in Democracy is paramount and false claims and misrepresentations will no longer be tolerated by the voting public.
via 2020 How to Kill Propaganda with Three Blows – » The Australian Independent Media Network
Tony Abbott had a list of broken promises Now lets remind ourselves of just how many more there are. (ODT)
But what were the reforms that were promised or proposed which have dropped off the political radar, stalled, or the government is accused of doing too little too late?
Pelosi is right there is no point of a Trial if it’s simply a vote. Trump can call his witnesses and have his lawyers which he’s been demanding. Now he wants no witnesses and no Trial and says its Pelosi’s fault. Sorry who else but Trump? (ODT)
They’d made up their minds to acquit the President of the impeachment charges, in the hope that would exonerate him of any wrongdoing, without the need to risk any new evidence coming to the surface.
But the Speaker of the Democrat controlled House had a Joker up her sleeve.
Nancy Pelosi revealed she was breaking with convention by withholding the impeachment articles, until the House and the Senate could agree on procedures for a “fair trial”.
“The Americans are using ISIS as a scarecrow. They are feeding ISIS, encouraging them, protecting (its) leaders, and helping them move from one area to another,” adding:
“The US policy is aimed at investing into terrorism.”
The US FY 2020 war budget includes a provision to impose sanctions on companies involved in helping Syria rebuild its infrastructure, including its energy sector, Muallem stressing:
“All nations that were victimized by this system need to join forces and resist (illegal US) sanctions.”
In mid-December, Syrian President Bashar al-Assad accused the Trump regime of continuing what ISIS began by “stealing and selling” Syrian oil, adding:
US monied interests make policy in the country. “If they have an interest in occupying the oil wells, stealing and selling them one way or another, then this state and this regime will act in favor of these companies, regardless of international law and regardless of American law.”
There are “thousands” of US forces in Syria, he stressed, including private mercenaries like Blackwater, not hundreds as falsely reported.
Syrian oil is smuggled into Turkey for sale on the black market, the Erdogan regime involved.
The Trump regime wants Damascus deprived of revenues to rebuild the country US, NATO, and Israeli aggression destroyed.
via War Criminal Trump an International Thief, Supporter of Terrorism – Stephen Lendman
The Washington Post reported over a year ago that the CIA had concluded, on evidence that included intercepted phone calls, that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing. His close friendship with Donald Trump’s son-in-law and senior adviser, Jared Kushner has certainly contributed to the impunity he has so far enjoyed. One way to punish Saudi Arabia is through sanctions and denial of military aid — options that were open until just last week, when Congress passed, and sent to the White House for Trump’s signature, the $738 billion 2020 National Defense Authorization Act. Sen. Bernie Sanders and California Democratic Congressman Ro Khanna issued a joint statement calling the NDAA “a bill of astonishing moral cowardice,” in part for failing to deny aid to Saudi Arabia.
via Let 2020 Be the Year of a Truly Free Press | The Smirking Chimp
Israeli politicians, civil servants, generals and soldiers should have to think twice before they participate in these crimes, knowing that by doing so there is a very real chance they could end up in a prison cell in The Hague.
via Israeli leaders must know they can go to prison | The Electronic Intifada
Politicising Cricket will it get anybody’s attention? (ODT)
Australia’s Republican style LNP Government has resorted to Political Stunts rather than blame themselves they are turning to blame the States.(ODT)
Mr Littleproud declined to respond when asked this week why the current inquiry maintained a focus on state jurisdictions, despite the advice of a previous committee.
Wilderness Society policy director Tim Beshara called the inquiry a “political stunt” and said it was the reason the “public don’t trust the government to review their own performance or to learn from their failings”.
via Australia fires: Morrison government launches bushfire inquiry to probe state policy
He’s broken 20,000 by Xmas surely (ODT)
via Tracking all of President Trump’s false or misleading claims – Washington Post
Republican Sen. Lisa Murkowski also said she remained undecided on how she would vote in the president’s Senate impeachment trial, according to KTUU.
A self-styled jailhouse lawyer who provided advice to some of Australia’s most notorious criminals will be deported in a matter of days after consenting to an order by Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton cancelling his permanent residency on character grounds.
When you work for the Common Good (ODT)
olddogthoughts 
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