No, the Murdochs haven’t turned on Trump | Media Matters for America

If the Murdochs didn’t want all this to happen, it wouldn’t happen. Rupert gave Carlson a job and a show, Lachlan reportedly speaks to him regularly, and together they made him the face of their network, which has defended him against any and all criticism for years. 

“I’m 100 percent [Rupert Murdoch’s] bitch,” Carlson once said. “Whatever Mr. Murdoch says, I do.”

The Murdochs may want some credit from the establishment for having their relatively high-brow outlets, the Journal and the Post, criticize Trump. But they also want to speak to the party’s Trumpist, pro-insurrection base. And so they are cheering on Tucker Carlson’s blood-soaked white nationalism, his deadly anti-vaccine conspiracy theories, and his reprehensible 1/6 trutherism.

No, the Murdochs haven’t turned on Trump | Media Matters for America

The Most Dangerous Upcoming Supreme Court Decision You Never Heard Of | The Smirking Chimp

Democracy allows Autocracy but Autocracy doesn’t allow for Democracy. There’s no Second Chance. Rapists are Trumpists and say ” I’ll put it in a little if it hurts I’ll take it out”

So your vote is critical, and not just in federal elections. Make sure you also vote for state legislators who understand what’s at stake to preserve our democracy. Because, as this Supreme Court shows, the future of our democracy is not guaranteed.

Source: The Most Dangerous Upcoming Supreme Court Decision You Never Heard Of | The Smirking Chimp

EU: In 2021, Israel planned or built 20,030 New Squatter-Settlements In Palestinian Territories, with Massive Spike in E. Jerusalem

three squatter-settlements are so strategically placed, in other words, to serve as a sword to decapitate Palestinian East Jerusalem from the body of the Palestinian West Bank, forever sinking any hope of a two-state solution (which in any case is already virtually impossible).

Source: EU: In 2021, Israel planned or built 20,030 New Squatter-Settlements In Palestinian Territories, with Massive Spike in E. Jerusalem

Google Is Selling Advanced AI to Israel, Documents Reveal

In 2021, both Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International formally accused Israel of committing crimes against humanity by maintaining an apartheid system against Palestinians. While the Israeli military and security services already rely on a sophisticated system of computerized surveillance, the sophistication of Google’s data analysis offerings could worsen the increasingly data-driven military occupation.

Source: Google Is Selling Advanced AI to Israel, Documents Reveal

Putin’s attack on the grain deal was despicable. It also shows he’s desperate | Hamish de Bretton-Gordon | The Guardian

The people of Ukraine have no trouble resisting Putin. Why do Russians?

In Ukraine, as in Syria, Putin appears to have no concern about collateral damage or the rules of war and appears to favour directly targeting civilians as the quickest way to strategic victory. Unfortunately for him, the Ukrainian people have shown that they have the stomach for this fight – Nato must match their bravery and back them to the hilt. We cannot forget that our failure to act in Syria, when up to 1,500 civilians were killed with the nerve agent sarin, no doubt emboldened Putin to invade Ukraine.

Source: Putin’s attack on the grain deal was despicable. It also shows he’s desperate | Hamish de Bretton-Gordon | The Guardian

War in Ukraine enters its sixth month – Michael West

As the war in Ukraine enters its sixth month, there is no sign of a let-up in the fighting.

Source: War in Ukraine enters its sixth month – Michael West

Old Dog Thought- He was just pretending

Fighting Fake News with REAL 26/7/22; ” Visionless Plodder”; Lunatic Fringe; QANTAS State owned flag;

The best way to Dutton-proof climate legislation is to get it into parliament and get it passed | Katharine Murphy | The Guardian

Peter Dutton in shadow

The best way to Dutton-proof climate ambition is to deliver a solid proof of concept that widens the footprint of support for climate action in the Australian electorate, because if you widen the footprint, the scare campaigns aren’t as salient.

Source: The best way to Dutton-proof climate legislation is to get it into parliament and get it passed | Katharine Murphy | The Guardian

Coalition’s failure to tax gas windfall profits cost the nation billions

Coalition’s failure to tax gas windfall profits cost the nation billions

Coalition’s failure to tax gas windfall profits cost the nation billions

Why An Emissions Target Is The Work Of Satan… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Finally, I’d just like everyone to remember the basic strategy that the Coalition will adopt over the next few weeks. If Labor and The Greens reach any sort of compromise, then it’ll be because they’re a coalition and if you vote for one it’s the same as voting for the other, but if they can’t agree, then Peter Dutton will move a motion of no confidence in the government because they can’t get their legislation through the Senate.

Ok, an Opposition leader would have to be pretty stupid to do that. So how long do you think it will be before he does?

 

Source: Why An Emissions Target Is The Work Of Satan… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment- Murdoch’s energy push buys time for fossil fuels

Michael West Media Report- Health Care Sell Off

Private equity vultures KKR are close to pitching a $20bn takeover bid for Australia’s largest private healthcare group, Ramsay Health Care which could see most of Australia’s private health system being controlled in foreign tax havens.

Victoria is best-performing state: CommSec – Michael West

Victoria has dethroned Tasmania as Australia’s best-performing state or territory, with its economy leading the nation for the first time since April 2020.

Source: Victoria is best-performing state: CommSec – Michael West

Is it Apartheid Yet? Israeli Supreme Court Allows stripping of Citizenship

It is ironic that Israel, which was supposed to be the solution to Jewish statelessness in Europe, has become itself a major cause of statelessness, keeping millions of Palestinians in that condition. It should be remembered that charges of “treason” and “terrorism” have been leveled at Palestinian-Israeli legislators for not supporting Israeli colonial settlements in the Palestinian West Bank, which the UN views as itself a violation of the Geneva Conventions. So, ironically, this decision could set people up to become stateless for adhering to international law.

Source: Is it Apartheid Yet? Israeli Supreme Court Allows stripping of Citizenship

WATCH: Why don’t Israelis ever hear about Republican antisemitism?

Noam Shuster.

I spoke to Israeli television host Guy Zohar on his show “The Other Side” last week to try and understand why the Israeli mainstream is cutting the far right slack, particularly at a time when it is primarily responsible for much of the homegrown antisemitism in the United States.

Source: WATCH: Why don’t Israelis ever hear about Republican antisemitism?

Trump’s Authoritarian Plans for a Second Term Should Scare the Crap Out of You | Vanity Fair

…it’s his future plans for a would-be second term that should scare the ever-loving shit out of everyone in this country, and then make them shit some more.

Source: Trump’s Authoritarian Plans for a Second Term Should Scare the Crap Out of You | Vanity Fair

Rupert Murdoch Dumps Trump For Good In The Span Of 73 Minutes | Crooks and Liars

How naive is this analysis given Murdoch’s spread and history. Has there been any noticeable movement on Fox News that he’s turned his back on Trump?

July 24, 2022This is what it looks like when Rupert Murdoch decides that Donald Trump isn’t going to be the Republican nominee in 2024. Both the NY Post and the Wall Street Journal ran editorials condemning Trump for his actions and inaction on January 6 in the span of a few minutes of each other.

Rupert Murdoch Dumps Trump For Good In The Span Of 73 Minutes | Crooks and Liars

Donald Trump Is Even More Unhinged Than We Thought

An image of former President Donald Trump displayed on a screen during a hearing of the Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the US Capitol in Washington, D.C., July 12, 2022. Whether far-right extremists who attacked the US Capitol were encouraged by or even conspired with then-President Trump will be the subject of today's hearing by the House committee investigating the riot. Photographer: Doug Mills/The New York Times/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Why is it that Murdoch escaped jail in the UK but his staff didn’t? All he had to do was sacrifice News of the World? Autocrats have a political network of privilege that ensures their protection. The hearings he faced and his Alan Bond show of dementia absolved all. Murdoch was allowed to leave the UK. Not required to change he simply moved to ply his trade elsewhere, the USA. China kicked him out the UK didn’t why?.

Trump is protected in much the same way. He’s too dangerous to charge, bring to trial and destroyl in a Nation so divided. Too much a psychopath to self-destruct in a world, he believes so small it’s his toy in which he pulls the strings. Trump cheats in all aspects of his life, and has always done. He was raised to do just that. Murdoch assisted and provided him the means by which to do it.

The hearings of the January 6 committee, including Hutchinson’s testimony, have been must-see television, depicting Trump as a psychopath and a criminal who sought to turn the U.S. into a dictatorship.

Source: Donald Trump Is Even More Unhinged Than We Thought

Old Dog Thought- Victoria leads the way again

Fighting Fake News with Real 25/7/22; Privatisation of Health; Nuclear Power Victoria Leads the Way;

Even in the political afterlife, Morrison departs from the norm

By urging his audience not to trust in the institution of government itself, and by taking his Pentecostal rhetoric to such heights, Morrison is parting with former prime ministerial convention. The congregation may have approved, but his fellow Liberal MPs appeared less enthused. Such indulgences are unlikely to re-cultivate the respect of the electorate.

Source: Even in the political afterlife, Morrison departs from the norm

Scott Morrison awaits the Apocalypse – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Can we ever forget the man who won’t ever become a Malcolm Fraser nor a Kevin Rudd who now while still an MP cries “Don’t trust Governments only God” ?

 The minds of defeated prime ministers are rarely pretty. In some cases, they are damnably awful places, where ruins accumulate and dust gathers in wretchedness. Such figures can become, by the admission of former Australian prime minister, Malcolm Turnbull, miserable ghosts, cantankerous, bitter and resentful. Then come some, such as Malcolm Fraser, who have healthy revelations. Others just go to seed.

Source: Scott Morrison awaits the Apocalypse – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Coalition told to apologise over boat saga – Michael West

Morrison’s term was more Jones Town than Government

The federal coalition should “hang their head in shame” after an inquiry found public servants were pressured to reveal an asylum seeker boat arrival on election day, Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil says.

Source: Coalition told to apologise over boat saga – Michael West

Nine accuse Ben Roberts-Smith of lying under oath, colluding with witnesses, intimidating witnesses and destroying evidenceKangaroo Court of Australia

Ben Roberts-Smith

War in our courts accusations and defence,

Over the last week during closing arguments, the barrister representing Fairfax (Nine) and it’s journalists, Nicholas Owens, SC has accused Ben Roberts-Smith of lying under oath, colluding with witnesses, intimidating witnesses and destroying evidence all of which carry lengthy jail sentences if found guilty. Those allegations support the article I posted in February titled “Powerful…

Source: Nine accuse Ben Roberts-Smith of lying under oath, colluding with witnesses, intimidating witnesses and destroying evidenceKangaroo Court of Australia

Australia lags on long COVID recognition – Michael West

Politics still stands in the way of Science and Covid

Long COVID should be recognised as a chronic medical condition so more Australians can access appropriate care, health experts say.

Source: Australia lags on long COVID recognition – Michael West

Climate Change Is About to Cause a Viral Explosion

As climate change disrupts migration patterns, animals and the viruses they carry will come into unusual contact with each other — and inevitably with humans, unleashing new pandemics. The only thing that can stop this unfolding nightmare is a mass movement.

Source: Climate Change Is About to Cause a Viral Explosion

At Least 25 States Are One Supreme Court Decision Away From Banning Same-Sex Marriage – Mother Jones

The US road to Raqqa and following the Islamic State. It ain’t Christian or Islam. It’s not Jewish but it is Unforgiving Fundamentalism of the worst kind.

Currently, there are at least 32 states—Arizona, Louisiana, and Ohio among them—that have either constitutional amendments, state laws, or both that prohibit same-sex marriage. The Obergefell v. Hodges ruling rendered these defunct in 2015, but if the Supreme Court were to overturn that decision, same-sex marriage would be instantly banned in at least 25 of those states—putting thousands of couples at risk.

Source: At Least 25 States Are One Supreme Court Decision Away From Banning Same-Sex Marriage – Mother Jones

See George Conway’s reaction to Trump’s reported plan if he wins again – CNN Video

Founding member of the Lincoln Project George Conway

Newsroom George Conway reacts to Axios reporting that Trump and his allies are secretly making plans to fire thousands of career civil servants and install Trump loyalists if he wins the presidential election in 2024.

Source: See George Conway’s reaction to Trump’s reported plan if he wins again – CNN Video

Murdoch’s New York Post publishes scathing critique of Donald Trump | CNN Business

SUN VALLEY, ID - JULY 10: Rupert Murdoch, chairman of News Corp and co-chairman of 21st Century Fox, arrives at the Sun Valley Resort of the annual Allen & Company Sun Valley Conference, July 10, 2018 in Sun Valley, Idaho. Every July, some of the world's most wealthy and powerful businesspeople from the media, finance, technology and political spheres converge at the Sun Valley Resort for the exclusive weeklong conference. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

However not the same can be said of Fox. Is Murdoch hedging his bets he hates picking losers? The cat and mouse game. Remember Murdoch is adept at gaming the public not his customers that provide.

Instead of making excuses or changing the subject, as some conservative commentators have done, the Journal’s editorial said Trump “failed” to do his duty as commander in chief. The Post’s editorial page, which wrote last month that “we need a fresh start” with “a new crop of conservatives,” went further in its editorial after Thursday’s prime time hearing. “It’s up to the Justice Department to decide if this is a crime,” the Post said. “But as a matter of principle, as a matter of character, Trump has proven himself unworthy to be this country’s chief executive again.”

Source: Murdoch’s New York Post publishes scathing critique of Donald Trump | CNN Business

Fox News’ desperate distraction circus: Anything to have viewers ignore the January 6 hearings | Salon.com

Tucker Carlson (Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)

Don’t for a moment think Murdoch has hardened against Trump

It remains to be seen how much impact the January 6 hearings will have. Most Trump voters know Trump did it, they know why he did it, and they approve. The hope is that just enough of them start to feel things have gone too far. I tend to be skeptical about that, but it gives me pause to watch Fox News and Trump spin as hard as they can. If Trump and his main propagandists are this worried about losing support, maybe that’s a sign of hope for the rest of the country.

Source: Fox News’ desperate distraction circus: Anything to have viewers ignore the January 6 hearings | Salon.com

Old Dog Thought- The planet is a common cause ignored

Fighting Fake News with REAL 24/7/22; Ice Melt in Greenland; Morrison, Morrison, Is closer to Q than Australia;

How microdosing LSD is leading scientists to tackle ‘creative enhancers of choice’

Microdosing is an experimental trend of taking minute doses of illicit, psychedelic drugs, such as LSD, regularly to sharpen the mind.

Non-addictive, Life Changing, Politically Dangerous, the 70s, Turn on, Tune in, Drop Out Drug, is getting a second chance at life, along with Ecstasy, Mushrooms and other nonaddictive substances. Why were they thought to be so dangerous in the first place?

Multinational corporations had no control over their sales and they were proving to be safer and more beneficial than the drugs marketed legally. Worse formed a less competitive and divisive relationship between young people and the government. Make love not war had revolutionary potential according to Nixon.  A myth expressing personal harm was needed and created by Richard Nixon with his “War on Drugs” and the political dominoes followed him worldwide.

It seems today that multinational corporations see new marketing opportunities in controlling the distribution of these once illicit substances found in nature and which are still very much in demand. Marijuana was the first to be legalized, once again allowing the promotion of its benefits promoted. After all the marketing of oxycodone and other addictives like tobacco and alcohol is waning no longer seen as positive. How do you market Ice, and crystal meth into the future with their genuine tendency to drive anti-social behaviours.

Five years ago Christina*, a 43-year-old professional who worked in the book industry, started taking tiny amounts of LSD most mornings for four months.

Although the doses of the illicit substance were too small to induce hallucinogenic trips, Christina claims it had a significant impact on her anxiety, concentration and experience of life.

Source: How microdosing LSD is leading scientists to tackle ‘creative enhancers of choice’

We have a conundrum: The Greens want to flex a bit of muscle, and Labor wants to exercise its authority – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day

In terms of the environment, I wonder what price the people of tomorrow will pay for the stupidity of today.

(Often repeated since 2013) ( John Lord)

We have a conundrum: The Greens want to flex a bit of muscle, and Labor wants to exercise its authority – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Private Charity Has Become Just Another Scam for the 1 Percent

We were told that the generosity of the rich would make up for cuts to government services. But those at the top are increasingly using dubious “charitable” ventures as vehicles for profit and influence.

Source: Private Charity Has Become Just Another Scam for the 1 Percent

Morrison pushed for boat statement: report – Michael West

Morrison pushed for boat statement: report – Michael West

Morrison pushed for boat statement: report – Michael West

Australia’s Orban Sycophants – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Tony Abbott shakes hands with Viktor Orban in front of Australian and Hungarian flags

The LNP has a distinct lack of imagination and policies so they simply follow others

After the recent release of census data noted the decline in Christianity, Peta Credlin wrote in The Australian (paywalled) in full Orban mode warning of “the centrality of Christian inspiration to Western civilization.” She defined an Indigenous Voice to parliament as “anathema to the fundamentals of Christian faith” and obliquely blamed Chinese and Indian immigration for the crisis.

The combined forces of the radical right – whether Christian Nationalist in intent, or in bigoted fear of a Great Replacement, or cynically deploying culture wars – all have the capacity to distort our civic debates as they are doing at all levels of government in America. The outcome in America is catastrophic.

It is critical for Australians to watch the international right forces filtered through to our democratic project, directly from the opponents of democracy, or filtered through the American role models so central to our “conservatives.” They are not defeated here, but regrouping.

 

Source: Australia’s Orban Sycophants – » The Australian Independent Media Network

AUKUS, Technology and Militarising Australia – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Australia is the paying receiver of product that will not be delivered. The cost will be substandard subs not delivered on time, cash, in the form of capital and rent and the forgoing of sovereignty.

From the Australian Strategic Policy Institute to the US Studies Centre, we are meant to celebrate the prospect of Australia as a military annexe to US power in the Asia-Pacific, its sovereignty status subsumed under the ghastly guff of freedom lovers supposedly facing oriental barbarians. The analysis is then crowned by the praise of former US defence and security officials who ingratiatingly speak of Australian potential as they would mineral deposits. The lie, packaged and ribboned, is duly sold for public consumption. Australian sovereign capability becomes the supreme fiction, while its subservience is hidden, only to be exposed by heretics.

Source: AUKUS, Technology and Militarising Australia – » The Australian Independent Media Network

In Wake of Jan. 6 Hearings: What was Trump’s Relationship to the Militias who invaded the Capitol?

Now, many people have taken a step back even from these groups altogether. But the folks that have stuck around continue to be quite radical, and probably even more radical than they were before. Especially thinking about what is going to happen with the midterm elections, we are going to see a lot of invigoration.The Conversation

In Wake of Jan. 6 Hearings: What was Trump’s Relationship to the Militias who invaded the Capitol?

Trump’s 2025 plan includes a nightmare list of Cabinet picks — and purge of career officials: report | Salon.com

This was always the plan when the end goal is to install a dictatorship and means are regarded as justified. If the goal is to protect Democracy they’re not. The LNP were equally as aggressive in the destruction of the Public Service, the ABC, and other bodies to which heads were once appoined according to merit rather than political affiliation. Branch stacking is a misdemenour when compared to the stacking, and privatisation of Australia’s public institutions from the ground up. The LNP were up for selling the furniture and appointing their cronies everywhere.

Former President Donald Trump’s top allies are preparing to purge potentially thousands of career civil servants and install MAGA loyalists in key administration positions if he wins the 2024 presidential election, according to Axios.

Trump’s 2025 plan includes a nightmare list of Cabinet picks — and purge of career officials: report | Salon.com

The Key To Last Night’s Hearing | The Smirking Chimp

These ten revelations clearly establish Trump’s malice. He not only violated his oath of office. He is a criminal.

Source: The Key To Last Night’s Hearing | The Smirking Chimp

The Cult of Donald Trump

U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a "Save America Rally" near the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S., on Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. Trump's months-long effort to toss out the election results and extend his presidency will meet its formal end this week, but not without exposing political rifts in the Republican Party that have pitted future contenders for the White House against one another. Photographer: Shawn Thew/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images

Putin’s Man

Now American politics is so broken it will keep him safe from justice. It’s called American Democracy and Australia’s Morrison/ LNP wanted to replicate it here and still do.

Donald Trump is a murderous cult leader who incited the mob that attacked the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, hoping that his supporters would kill his own vice president, Mike Pence, and as many members of Congress as possible so that he could become a dictator.

Source: The Cult of Donald Trump

Donald Trump’s ex-adviser Steve Bannon convicted of contempt of US Congress

Former White House strategist Steve Bannon in 2021.

The verdict by the jury of eight men and four women, after less than three hours of deliberations, marked the first successful prosecution for contempt of Congress since 1974, when a judge found G. Gordon Liddy, a conspirator in the Watergate scandal that prompted president Richard Nixon’s resignation, guilty.

Source: Donald Trump’s ex-adviser Steve Bannon convicted of contempt of US Congress

Old Dog Thought- The men who don’t believe in miracles but insist their end justifies the means

Fighting Fake News with REAL; 23/7/22; Men cut from the same cloth; Morrison, Bannon, Trump;

Inequality has worsened, the budget is shot, so means test everything

means test

So to some extent they are playing with fire to preserve the budget. There is only one solution to the problem – means testing. Everything must be means tested, tightly, perhaps using disposable income rather than gross income. Many, possibly most, Australians have come out of the pandemic with plenty of cash and plenty of work – they should get nothing more from the government. It’s essential that government spending is laser-focused on those who need it.

Source: Inequality has worsened, the budget is shot, so means test everything

Coalition changes allowing renewable energy agency to fund fossil fuel projects to be scrapped | Australian politics | The Guardian

Solar panels at a solar farm on the northern outskirts of Canberra with a tree-covered hill in the background

Done and dusted one Angus Taylor LNP scam policy reversed.

Climate change minister Chris Bowen says Arena will have mandate to accelerate electrification and focus on renewable technology

The Albanese government will scrap changes to the Australian Renewable Energy Agency introduced in the dying days of the Morrison government that would have allowed it to fund some fossil fuel developments.

Source: Coalition changes allowing renewable energy agency to fund fossil fuel projects to be scrapped | Australian politics | The Guardian

The symptoms of mental illness are not the “plan of Satan”, Mr Morrison – » The Australian Independent Media Network

 

“While he noted there were “biological issues” or “brain chemistry” that resulted in clinical disorders, he sought to link the everyday anxieties to a spiritual deficit. Mr. Morrison declared that if people gave into their worries, they were giving into “Satan’s plan”. Scott Morrison

The meek, the weak the downtrodden have fallen in battle to Satan’s Plan. Proof positive that those who survive are God’s elect the “chosen”. Just how radical Islamist is Morrison. Jihad is a central premise in his message to bring on the end of daze. He’s closer to Q than you think

Source: The symptoms of mental illness are not the “plan of Satan”, Mr Morrison – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Poor sports: how Morrison put a shark bite on the taxpayer – Michael West

Scott Morrison and Cronulla Sharks

Rugby League Rorts: how Scott Morrison funnelled millions from Commonwealth grant programs into Rugby League

Brisbane Broncos.

  • One grant contributed $21.3m of the $23.7m. Initially the “Beyond the Broncos Girls Academy” received $8.8m for a 27-month period, a small variation decreased the amount by $200,000 after 11 months.
  • A second variation then added $13m and extending the contract by 24 months. The initial grant and variations were not allocated by a tender process, instead they were direct non-competitive grants. 
  • The 1936 S23(i) Tax Act making sporting clubs tax exempt still apply to the Brisbane Broncos (Income from non-members are taxable)
  • Brisbane Broncos is a publicly listed company
  • News Corp owns 69% of the Brisbane Broncos.
  • News Corp owns the broadcast rights for NRL
  • News Corp is foreign-owned and often pays low or no taxes here.

 

Source: Poor sports: how Morrison put a shark bite on the taxpayer – Michael West

Ignoring warnings of Europe’s extreme heatwave locks Australia into a worst-case scenario | Mark Ogge | The Guardian

A pedestrian walks past a newspaper headline in London, 20 July 2022.

While Sky New’s unmade bed Rowan Dean and Andrew Bolt continue to deny any emergency is imminent due to man-made climate change the rest of the world suggests they are the fruit cakes. Murdoch media’s office windows were smashed in London for their refusal to even report on the global science in any balanced way simply for the sake of profit for their fossil fuel-based cash for comment denials,

The unprecedented heatwave and fires engulfing Europe might seem a long way away, but they are a frightening portent of what’s in store for Australia.

Britain has just experienced its highest temperature on record, extreme conditions and fires are sweeping Spain, Portugal, France and Greece. But this is just the latest in a string of extreme events globally. In March, scientists were shocked by record temperatures at both poles, including temperatures up to 40C above normal in the Antarctic and 30C above normal in the Arctic. In May, devastating heatwaves across India, Pakistan and surrounding countries led to weeks where temperatures in some regions repeatedly hit almost 50C. This year has also seen extreme heatwaves in south Asia, China and the US.

Source: Ignoring warnings of Europe’s extreme heatwave locks Australia into a worst-case scenario | Mark Ogge | The Guardian

Right-wing media downplay climate change amid deadly extreme heat, attack idea that we are in a climate emergency | Media Matters for America

Right wing media downplay heat wave

Despite the fact that year in year out records are being smashed.

Source: Right-wing media downplay climate change amid deadly extreme heat, attack idea that we are in a climate emergency | Media Matters for America

Democrats vow to fight back after anti-abortion protest arrests

Some of the participants invoked the words of the late John Lewis. The civil rights leader who became a Democratic congressman and represented Georgia for over three decades famously encouraged getting into ‘good trouble’ when fighting against injustices.

Source: Democrats vow to fight back after anti-abortion protest arrests

Why the January 6 Hearings Aren’t Just About January 6 | The Smirking Chimp

I have no idea whether the hearings will lead to criminal indictments and convictions of Trump and his enablers, but I do believe the hearings are finding their way into the public’s consciousness. This may prove to be as — if not more — valuable than a criminal proceeding. Not even a criminal conviction will change the minds of those who believe Trump’s Big Lie; to the contrary, it may make them even more suspicious or paranoid, possibly leading to further violence. But the hearings may begin to convince Trump supporters that he’s a dangerous charlatan.

Source: Why the January 6 Hearings Aren’t Just About January 6 | The Smirking Chimp