Tag: Australia’s Shame

Israel

Primetime genocide apologists and the annihilation of Gaza – The Shot

Yesterday, the Australian Senate voted 56-12 to condemn the use of the phrase “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free”, because it allegedly “opposes Israel’s right to exist, and is frequently used by those who seek to intimidate Jewish Australians via acts of antisemitism”. And yet there was no similar motion condemning (or even adequately acknowledging) the ongoing slaughter that stands in opposition to Palestine’s right to exist. If your suss-O-meter isn’t firing yet, it is well and truly broken.

“If you’re not careful, the newspapers will have you hating the people who are being oppressed, and loving the people who are doing the oppressing”. Today, you will not find a clearer example of the phenomenon Macolm X was referring to than Israel’s wholesale slaughter of Gaza and the mesmerising cover provided by truth-discordant imperial apologia we sometimes call “the news”. 

Reject it all. It is swallowing your humanity. 

Source: Primetime genocide apologists and the annihilation of Gaza – The Shot

Israel

Secrets of the weapons trade – Pearls and Irritations

Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II fighter jet plane on the tarmac of Kleine-Brogel Airbase.

The sensitivity of the hidden weapons and components trade to Israel from Australia is clear.

Neither the Defence Department nor the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade responded to questions on this important issue of public accountability.

 

Source: Secrets of the weapons trade – Pearls and Irritations

Israel

Australia’s disgraceful diversion of responsibility over Gaza war crimes – Pearls and Irritations

Rafah, Gaza. 21st Feb, 2024. Smoke billows in the sky following Israeli bombardment on Alfaroq Mosque in Rafah refugee camp in the southern Gaza Strip, on Thursday, February 22, 2024. Image: Alamy / Ismael Mohamad/UPI Credit: UPI/Alamy Live News

That no sanctions have even been proposed by Australia is dumbfounding given the litany of clearly unjustified acts of war inflicted upon the Palestinians. Since October 7 Netanyahu’s ‘inevitable consequences of war’ has meant:

  • 203 aid workers killed of whom 95% were Palestinian (this figure is higher than the total number of aid worker fatalities that typically occur annually worldwide)
  • More United Nations aid workers have been killed in Gaza than in any other single conflict in the organisation’s 78-year history
  • 102 UNWRA aid workers killed and 27 others wounded
  • UNRWA’s facilities have been hit over 290 times in the hostilities,
  • 374 medical personnel have been killed
  • 120 ambulances have been completely destroyed.
  • 12 of 35 hospitals are only partially functioning
  • 51 of 72 primary medical care facilities are closed.
  • Hospitals and other vital medical infrastructure in Gaza and the West Bank have been attacked nearly 600 times
  • 613 people have died within health facilities (of which seven were in the West Bank) and more than 770 have been injured, (WHO)
  • In the West Bank, 286 attacks caused seven deaths and 52 injuries. Some 24 health facilities were affected along with 212 ambulances
  • At least 95 journalists have been killed according to the Committee to Protect Journalists, in what has been the deadliest period for journalists since the NGO began tracking casualties in 1992.

The above translates to an Israeli army for which the rules of engagement are being ignored at will – an army totally out of control.

Source: Australia’s disgraceful diversion of responsibility over Gaza war crimes – Pearls and Irritations

ALP Government,

Australian PM first western leader referred to ICC as ‘Accessory to Genocide in Gaza’ – Pearls and Irritations

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is one of several Western leaders who have provided political and material support of the Israeli government and military over the past five months as their bombardment of Gaza has killed more than 30,000 people, but on Monday he became the first to be referred to the International Criminal Court for being an “accessory to genocide.”

Source: Australian PM first western leader referred to ICC as ‘Accessory to Genocide in Gaza’ – Pearls and Irritations

ALP Government,

Triumphant Down Under: Elbit Systems and the Australian Military – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Forget Wong’s wobbliness, the persuasive pull of the Genocide Convention, and Canberra’s concerns about the humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza. Cash, contracts and jobs drawn from the military industrial complex continue to sneak through the guards.

Source: Triumphant Down Under: Elbit Systems and the Australian Military – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Israel

How long will Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continue to turn a blind eye to Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians?Kangaroo Court of Australia

Anthony Albanese supports Israel

Netanyahu has turned Gaza from a self-managed Concentration Camp to a Transit Detention Center of displaced “illegals”. The next stage will be searching for a home and nations other than Israel to pay.What will Australia’s role be given it lies on the side of Israel?

The ABC reports “Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel will keep security control over all Palestinian areas and make reconstruction of Gaza dependent on its demilitarisation.” (Click here to read more) In other words, Israel has invaded Gaza and now own it as far as Benjamin Netanyahu is concerned.

Source: How long will Prime Minister Anthony Albanese continue to turn a blind eye to Israel’s genocide of the Palestinians?Kangaroo Court of Australia

ALP Government,

Are UNRWA aid cuts an Australian breach of Genocide Convention, or another double standard? – Michael West

UNWRA

Does Australia’s government treat Jews and Palestinians differently, both in foreign policy and at home? Defunding the UNWRA is the latest example of double standards and puts Australia at further risk of breaching the Genocide Convention. Farah Abdurahman on aid cuts, false allegations and fake chants.

Source: Are UNRWA aid cuts an Australian breach of Genocide Convention, or another double standard? – Michael West

Israel

Australia’s role in further collective punishment on Gazans – Pearls and Irritations

Waving flag of Israel and Australia.Image:iStock

While the UN Secretary General and head of UNRWA calls for an investigation into what Israel alleges are crimes committed by some 12 Gazan UNRWA staff (among the 13,000) in the participation of the October 7th events, the leaders of the Western world including Australia just jump on board of these allegations and immediately cut aid to UNRWA. In so doing I believe they are all involved in yet further collective punishment, Australia among them, on an entrapped, starving, drenched, freezing, ill and injured 2.3 million Palestinians.

Source: Australia’s role in further collective punishment on Gazans – Pearls and Irritations

Israel

Corporate murder: the Australian companies behind Gaza’s destruction – Pearls and Irritations

Palestinians inspect the damage following an Israeli airstrike on the El-Remal aera in Gaza City on October 9, 2023.

The action, launched in the Federal Court of Australia, is intended to cast some light on the arms exports permits being granted by the Australian Defence Minister to Israel since the initial Hamas attacks. Only then can we get a better sense of Australia’s complicity in the genocidal apocalypse currently unfolding in Gaza.

Source: Corporate murder: the Australian companies behind Gaza’s destruction – Pearls and Irritations

Israel

Australia mulls US request to send warship to Red Sea

Australia is considering a US recent request to send a warship to the Red Sea "in the usual way".

One might well ask who are the terrorists? In 2006 Hamas won a free and democratic election and immediately after in Trumpian style were “designated terrorists” because Israel demanded it. The election, supervised by Jimmy Carter, had to be somehow declared null and void.

Time and time again Israel crossed into Gaza breaking the truce. They called it “mowing the grass”. During these incursions, civilians women and children were killed many more than on October 7th. Today it’s becoming increasingly clearer Israel actually killed more and more of their own than was reported but they can’t stop the leakage of truth. One only needs to google the number of assassinations carried out by Israel or the number of “mowing the grass” operations to become aware of who the terrorists really are and who holds the moral right of resistance. Israel’s 20-year illegal and inhumane blockade of Gaza might just be the starting point to begin understanding the events in this modern era

The only sustainable ceasefire is one where Hamas – designated a terrorist organisation by Australia – releases all its hostages and lays down its arms, opposition foreign affairs spokesman Simon Birmingham says.

Source: Australia mulls US request to send warship to Red Sea

Israel

Future Fund invested in Israeli company Elbit Systems – whose bombs are raining on the Palestinians – Michael West

Future Fund, Elbit Systems

While we invest in Israel Israel warns its citizens not to come here “Australia is dangerous” .

Documents obtained under FOI reveal Australia’s Future Fund has shares in controversial Israeli defence contractor Elbit Systems, a company associated with the making of cluster-bombs. Michael West and Kim Wingerei report.

Source: Future Fund invested in Israeli company Elbit Systems – whose bombs are raining on the Palestinians – Michael West

ALP Government,

Legal case set to expose Australia’s facilitation of war crimes – Pearls and Irritations

Israel and Australia flag together realations textile cloth fabric texture

Is the Albanese government aiding and abetting the Israeli military and intelligence services in actions in Gaza which are serious violations of international human rights laws?

Source: Legal case set to expose Australia’s facilitation of war crimes – Pearls and Irritations

Israel

The Second Casualty – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Nothing seems to have changed in the subsequent century and a half. Humans are still killing other humans because of their differing gods or how they look, or the things they believe, and the children still fall first. We are only more efficient at our killing. Bullets and bombs are more deadly than swords and arrows, and if Israel is attempting genocide, we may not know until it is a fait accompli, but we will be complicit with our billions in military aid. Hezbollah, backed by Iran, may also be prompted to enter the war, and Israel could be more endangered and seek increased American support, maybe even troops. What then? Will the American president not call for a cease fire? When will it be too late? Or is it already?

There are parents on both sides of the conflict who already have an answer to that last question.

Source: The Second Casualty – » The Australian Independent Media Network

ALP Government,

Australia left isolated as neighbours demand protection of civilians at UNGA – Pearls and Irritations

Results of voting by General Assembly on resolution on Israel-Palestinian conflict at UN Headquarters in New York on October 27, 2023. GA adopted the resolution sponsored by Jordan. Draft resolution sponsored by Jordan on Illegal Israeli actions in Occupied East Jerusalem and the rest of the Occupied Palestinian Territory was adopted by General Assembly with 120 votes in favour, 14 against, and 45 abstentions. Image:AAP/ Lev Radin/Sipa USA

Many Australians will be ashamed that our nation has failed to speak and vote unequivocally at the United Nations during this crisis. As a nation we cannot continue to pretend that Israel has “a right to defend itself” while Palestine has no such right and is being systematically destroyed.

Source: Australia left isolated as neighbours demand protection of civilians at UNGA – Pearls and Irritations

Peter Dutton

Dutton has set the country back 50 years – » The Australian Independent Media Network

From the moment the Liberals lost Aston in a by-election, Peter Dutton had to find a way to keep his job. Why not try and ruin Albanese’s simple plan for a better Australia, by doing what every other lazy wrecker has done? Make it all about race.

Source: Dutton has set the country back 50 years – » The Australian Independent Media Network

ALP Government,

Australia must put more pressure on Israel as it occupies more and more Palestinian land – Pearls and Irritations

Australia’s biased friendship towards Israel undermines peace and forsakes justice for Palestinians, serving neither Australian nor Israeli.

Source: Australia must put more pressure on Israel as it occupies more and more Palestinian land – Pearls and Irritations

Indigenous Australia

We have failed the First Nations people – » The Australian Independent Media Network

“The aspirations of Aboriginal Australians are expressed through a political system designed, first and foremost, for the white majority.”

Source: We have failed the First Nations people – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News

Old Dog Thought- Christians turned Christ and God white. Muslims and Jews certainly didn’t.

May be an image of 1 person and text

Fighting Fake News with REAL, 9/8/2023, Every picture, The Big 4’s slap on the wrist, Australia’s shame, The men who did it, Free Speech, Robert Reich on Trump,

LNP

White Australia’s moral backwardness – Pearls and Irritations

An illustration showing men of the First Peoples of Australia giving directions to two white men on horseback, from the story,

LNP argue for “More of the Same” Are we even at the forefront of the best of all possible worlds? The LNP say “yes vote No”

White Australians like to think of themselves as an egalitarian and frank people, despising pretentiousness, while basking in a reputation for larrikinism and mateship. But this is all a front, papering over a culture that is deeply racist, excessively masculinist, and incorrigibly populist. Indeed, from its very beginnings, white Australia has been a morally backward society. And there are no signs that this is abating. Its moral backwardness is disgustingly on show in the No campaign against the forthcoming referendum on an Indigenous Voice to Parliament.

Source: White Australia’s moral backwardness – Pearls and Irritations

Israel

The Arabic media on Israel’s crisis: Don’t interfere with its implosion

Palestinian men read Al Quds Arabic newspaper in the West Bank city of Hebron, June 28, 2006. (Najeh Hashlamoun/Flash90)

It hardly speaks to the truth given the Australian ALP Government’s attitude to the current state of Israel. The Albanese government seems blind to the true face of Israel being revealed and this says a lot about us. There is a disjunct between what Australians believe and the government that represents us to the rest of the world. A government that no longer believes in the UN.

For months, Arabic media in the Middle East has been following the mass protests against the Israeli government and its judicial overhaul with great interest. Many Arab political commentators agree that they are witnessing a moment of unprecedented crisis and division in Israel; some believe that the rise of fascism there is an important development, as it puts the state on a path of self-destruction while revealing its true face to the world.

Source: The Arabic media on Israel’s crisis: Don’t interfere with its implosion

Informed Comment

“The Constitution v The Voice – The Fiberal Party of Australia – Lies & Misdemeanours | Facebook

The constitution v the Voice

The constitution is a profoundly racist document, an expression of White Australia, of settler history, with the concepts of Australia having been “discovered” by Europeans under the fiction of terra nullius. Implicit in it is “the passing of the Aborigines”.
The one issue on which all parties in the Australian colonies agreed in 1901 was White Australia. The Australian Labor Party was zealous on this. The Australian way of dealing with racism was to deny it existed.
Failure to recognize the suffering and marginalization of First Nations people was the core of what anthropologist W. E. H. Stanner, in his important Boyer Lectures for the ABC in 1968, called “the great Australian silence”.
Indian soldiers were invited to the inauguration of the Commonwealth of Australia in Sydney at 10am on January 1, 1901, but no Aboriginal Australians. The omission may not have been deliberate – perhaps it never occurred to the organizers to ask any.
It is egregious cynicism to argue in 2023 that a positive reference to First Nations people would bring a divisive racist element into the Constitution.

The constitution v the Voice

Source: “The… – The Fiberal Party of Australia – Lies & Misdemeanours | Facebook

Israel

Silence and the horror of Jenin – Pearls and Irritations
Panorama of Jenin in Palestine, West Bank.

 

Why hasn’t the devastation of almost an entire people been called out for what it is?

Where’s the outrage of what is happening in Jenin, Palestinian Territory? One of Australia’s foremost newspapers had an article today on whether it’s best to drink soy, almond or oat milk. Really? Who could have imagined that in 2023 Israel is allowed to get away with settler-colonialism as they imprison millions of people and subjugate them in such dire conditions while Australia frets about which ‘milk’ to put in their coffee.

Source: Silence and the horror of Jenin – Pearls and Irritations

war crimes

Afghanistan war crimes: investigating the generals is the only way to end cover-up calls – Michael West

Australia’s military leaders need to be held to account for command failures in Afghanistan. It’s no surprise that calls of a cover-up are growing louder, writes defence whistleblower David McBride.

Source: Afghanistan war crimes: investigating the generals is the only way to end cover-up calls – Michael West

America's Shame

Discovering Largest Known US Slave Auction

America’s Shame is our Shame The British East India Company was one of the largest if not the largest Colonial Corporate Slave Trader at the time

“This day, the 24th instant, and the day following, at the North Side of the Custom-House, at 11 o’clock, will be sold, a very valuable GANG OF NEGROES, accustomed to the culture of rice; consisting of SIX HUNDRED.”

Source: Discovering Largest Known US Slave Auction

Australian Politics

Dreadnoughts and Virginias: why is Australia paying more than twice the price for submarines? – Michael West

Marco the French President got it right when he said he was double-crossed. It was all about the money and selling the soul of the nation. The ALP hasn’t changed the direction or in any way deflected the AUKUS scam. They are assisting the rampant profiteering of the Military-Industrial Complex at the expense of the French.

Paul Keating described the AUKUS submarines deal negotiated by the Albanese government as the “worst deal in all history”. Is he right, and if so, just how bad is it?

Source: Dreadnoughts and Virginias: why is Australia paying more than twice the price for submarines? – Michael West

ALP Government,

Brand Loyalty – Pearls and Irritations

Magnet and figures of people. Acquisition and retention.

I am in complete sympathy with Jennifer Bush Pearls and Irritations 5, June 2023 in resigning from the Labor Party because of Prime Minister Albanese’s congratulations to Israel despite its government’s disgraceful treatment of Palestinian people.

Source: Brand Loyalty – Pearls and Irritations

Uncategorized

In the 1800s, colonisers attempted to listen to First Nations people. It didn’t stop the massacres – Pearls and Irritations

Mounted police engaging Indigenous Australians during the Slaughterhouse Creek clash of 1838

Any change to this current racial system we have had in place for 240 years Peter Dutton calls “dangerous”. He’s a real redneck. A Trumpster who treats his slaves with compassion

As we head toward the referendum on the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice to Parliament later this year, it is worth considering the long history of how governments have tried and failed to authentically listen to First Nations people.

Source: In the 1800s, colonisers attempted to listen to First Nations people. It didn’t stop the massacres – Pearls and Irritations

Aboriginal affairs, Aboriginal Australia, Aboriginal injustice

Climate of contention clouds Voice Referendum

Intentional confusion on the part of the fearmongering LNP seems to have gained some traction in Australia as far as the First Nation Peoples are concerned. Australia remains unique and behind the rest of the world in its resistance to what other nations have regarded as common sense for generations.

According to the latest Resolve Strategic poll for Nine media, support for a Yes vote in the upcoming referendum has fallen to 44%. Opposition has climbed eight points to 39%, while 18% are undecided.

Source: Climate of contention clouds Voice Referendum

Media

Stan Grant farewells ABC’s Q+A, delivers powerful speech

Stan Grant makes an emotional speech after stepping down as host of Q+A.

“Sometimes we just need to take time out, sometimes our souls are hurting, and so it is for me,” Grant said, as tears welled in his eyes. “I’m not walking away for a while because of racism – we get that far too often. I’m not walking away because of social media hatred. I need a break from the media. I feel like I’m part of the problem. And I need to ask myself how or if we can do it better.”

Source: Stan Grant farewells ABC’s Q+A, delivers powerful speech

Indigenous Australia

‘Habits of civilised life’: how one state forced Indigenous people to meet onerous conditions to obtain citizenship

Why truth-telling matters

Courts and policymakers are still making decisions about the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples without full knowledge of Indigenous histories and how they continue to affect people today. In our forthcoming book, I argue that even Australia’s highest court has presented a misleading, “whitewashed” view of the history of Indigenous belonging since 1788.

Source: ‘Habits of civilised life’: how one state forced Indigenous people to meet onerous conditions to obtain citizenship

ALP Government,

The Australian Government Is Selling War Under the Guise of Peace

Australian foreign minister Penny Wong claims she wants peace in the Asia-Pacific. At the same time, she is doubling down on Australia’s role in maintaining the global dominance of US capitalism — and threatening war in the region.

Source: The Australian Government Is Selling War Under the Guise of Peace

Australia

Voice and Treaty Must Happen Hand in Hand – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Asking Indigenous peoples to simply elect one of their own democratically to sit in an extra chamber advising future government irrespective of what party wins elections. Isn’t a hard task to ask. I think it would be more productive to have more Indigenous advising State Governments via a Treaty in QLD and nationally through the Voice then having none at all in the room which could only make situations worse and a continual revolving door of post generational trauma that persists for another 235 years. Perhaps we could have a civil discussion about what many call Australia Day then, closing the gap, and improving living standards for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. Having a voice might also increase the chances of more First Nations people becoming engaged in politics and see aspire to see perhaps a First Nations State Premier or Prime Minister one day?

Source: Voice and Treaty Must Happen Hand in Hand – » The Australian Independent Media Network

LNP

Child poverty, $3.5 billion for tanks, and a government that does not care – Pearls and Irritations

Baby hand on mums palm.

Hawke promised to rid us of child poverty but then we have had 20 years plus of the LNP

The insanity of all this defies logic. We can see venal capitalism making obscene individual profits for a tiny handful. We see governments, at the behest of the United States, spending unimaginable millions on weaponry that will make us all that little less secure and we have a generation of our youth, being cast adrift for the sake of what amounts to small change.

Source: Child poverty, $3.5 billion for tanks, and a government that does not care – Pearls and Irritations

Uncategorized

Why did Australia oppose an ICJ advisory opinion on Israeli settlements? – Pearls and Irritations

Jerusalem view from the Olive mountain, Israel.

Statement issued on 3 February last by the UN Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian people. I quote:

“The Bureau firmly believes in supporting an immediate and unconditional end to Israel’s illegal, half-century-old occupation and establishing a two-State solution, with the achievement of the independence and sovereignty of the Palestinian State based on the 1967 lines, and the realisation of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people, including self-determination, and a just solution for the plight of the Palestinian refugees, in line with UN resolutions, international law and bilateral agreements.”

Surely the Australian people are entitled to an explanation as to why in December last year the government voted against an International Court of Justice advisory opinion on the legality of Israel’s occupation of Palestine.

Source: Why did Australia oppose an ICJ advisory opinion on Israeli settlements? – Pearls and Irritations

Indigenous Affairs, Indigenous Australia, Indigenous Australians

Nationals under fire over voice decision – Michael West

When Class systematically dissects even those that deserve attention the most it’s used to political advantage to put the brakes on recognition of injustice and halt progressive and just change

“It is important we bring respect to this. This should be a conversation we should be able to have,” he added.

Labor minister Bill Shorten told Nine Ms Burney had been a great advocate for First Nations Australians.

“The issue is about whether or not we put First Nations people on the nation’s birth certificate, the Constitution,” he said.

 

Source: Nationals under fire over voice decision – Michael West

News Corp

NewsCorp’s Victorian election coverage is divorced from reality | The Shot

We shouldn’t even pretend to take these people seriously anymore. It’s insulting to the rest of us. Daniel Andrews will win the Victorian election because his opposition is pathetic and Victorians are heavily inoculated against NewsCorp’s bullshit, having been shovelled such a relentless amount of it in recent times.

Source: NewsCorp’s Victorian election coverage is divorced from reality | The Shot

Uncategorized

Australian media companies want to be exempt from being investigated for corruption by the National Anti-Corruption CommissionKangaroo Court of Australia

Beyond Scrutiny

Australia’s TV media companies have told the National Anti-Corruption Commission committee that they should be exempt from being investigated for corruption by the National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC). I captured it on video, as per below, and it is amazing how brazen the media companies are thinking they can publicly demand to be above the law.

Source: Australian media companies want to be exempt from being investigated for corruption by the National Anti-Corruption CommissionKangaroo Court of Australia

Australia's pride

Qantas Smiles: shareholders and executives grin, customers and staff grit their teeth – Michael West

Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce

How does Qantas get away with it?

Apart from pushing its faux neo-liberal creed of free markets, Qantas has always been a sacred cow. Our politicians and business leaders recline in comfort in their Qantas lounges, with Rupert Murdoch’s Sky News on their TV screens, enjoying their frequent fliers.

Yet the Spirit of Australia has vanished, replaced by an avaricious corporate monster preying on taxpayers at every turn. Old codgers such as this writer will recall better times. Once the staff were proud to work there.

Source: Qantas Smiles: shareholders and executives grin, customers and staff grit their teeth – Michael West

Climate Change

Australians remain the world’s worst coal power polluters per capita

Australia is still dependent on coal-fired power stations.

Morrison, Taylor Frydenberg and tha LNP will godown as Australia’s greatest liars on Climate Change

Australia produced 4.04 tonnes of carbon dioxide per person from coal-fired power stations last year, according to a new report by energy think tank Ember. That’s roughly four times the global average, double the average per person in countries like the US and Japan, and more than any other country in the G20 or the OECD. University of Adelaide energy economist Dr Liam Wagner said he was unsurprised by the ranking, given Australia has long been one of the world’s most coal-dependent countries.

Source: Australians remain the world’s worst coal power polluters per capita