Tag: Priorities

COVID-19

The Pentagon Just Got $778 Billion, But USAID Is Running Out of Money for Covid-19 Vaccines?

COVAX

Covid, Covid everywhere but $2Tn spent on military cover not medical or climate.

Global South leaders have regularly decried vaccine inequities, with some linking the shortfalls with ever-increasing military spending. At September’s United Nations General Assembly, Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez noted that 80% of doses had been distributed to middle- or high-income nations, comparing that statistic to the nearly $2 trillion in global military spending—more than one-third of it by the United States. “How many lives would have been saved,” asked Díaz-Canel, “[if] those resources had been invested in health or the manufacturing and distribution of vaccines?”

Source: The Pentagon Just Got $778 Billion, But USAID Is Running Out of Money for Covid-19 Vaccines?

Informed Comment

When Congress Returns: Its First Priority Must Be to save American Democracy from the Big Lie, Big Anger, and Big Money | The Smirking Chimp

So what’s really motivating Manchin? Four possibilities: West Virginia is a coal state, and Manchin doesn’t want to do anything that might dampen coal production (the bill has a number of environmental measures). Possibly, but Manchin must know there’s no long-term future in mining coal regardless of what happens to this legislation. There are far fewer coal jobs left in West Virginia than there are jobs in health care. The legislation would, however, help West Virginians transition from coal to new and better jobs. And help them survive in the meantime.

He’s self-dealing. He owns stock valued at between $1 million and $5 million in Enersystems, a coal brokerage firm he founded in 1988? Last year he made half a million dollars in Enersystems dividends (roughly three times the $174,000 salary he made last year as a senator).

He’s takes bribes. He collects more campaign money from coal, oil, and gas companies than any other senator. (In June, Exxon lobbyist Keith McCoy told the Greenpeace investigative unit that Manchin participated in weekly meetings with company operatives.)

He loves the power and attention. Who ever heard of Joe Manchin before the Biden administration?A minor-league Democratic senator from a small, poor state suddenly has the national spotlight and has become the biggest spoiler in the Democratic Party.

Frankly, your guess is as good as mine.

Source: When Congress Returns: Its First Priority Must Be to save American Democracy from the Big Lie, Big Anger, and Big Money | The Smirking Chimp

Informed Comment

Morrison’s priorities say it all – » The Australian Independent Media Network

We have Kevin Rudd and Malcolm Turnbull teaming up, John Hewson and Barry Jones, the Business Council and the National Farmers Federation and ACOSS, not to mention the state premiers and a growing group of pissed-off foreign leaders, all lining up together to tell Morrison’s government they are not doing their job adequately. Time to get rid of these dangerous, self-serving, talentless amateurs.

Source: Morrison’s priorities say it all – » The Australian Independent Media Network

LNP Government, Uncategorized

The Coalition now serves foreign corporations first and foremost

FORMER FEDERAL MINISTERS Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop have taken jobs with foreign corporations. They follow previous Coalition ministers who now work directly for interests abroad.

These add to recent confirmations that the Coalition parties no longer prioritise Australia.

via The Coalition now serves foreign corporations first and foremost

Meet the Trumps

Why Does Trump Believe He Could Survive Murder But Not Peeing Prostitutes? | Crooks and Liars

I understand why Donald Trump rails against the Robert Mueller investigation for examining possible collusion between his campaign and the Russians. I understand why Trump is upset about investigations into his business dealings and possible obstruction of justice. There are serious consequences for Trump, his family, and his associates if more wrongdoing is conclusively demonstrated.

But why is he so worked up about the pee tape?

via Why Does Trump Believe He Could Survive Murder But Not Peeing Prostitutes? | Crooks and Liars

Industrail Military Complex

America gives $700bn to the military – but says healthcare is a luxury | Trevor Timm | Opinion | The Guardian

On Monday, the Pentagon received even more money than it had asked for. Funding war is something that both Democrats and Republicans can agree on

Source: America gives $700bn to the military – but says healthcare is a luxury | Trevor Timm | Opinion | The Guardian

Media

Faced With Trump’s Looming Press Crisis, Media Embrace Timidity And Accommodation| Protecting  business before News

Washington Post columnist Ruth Marcus has apparently undergone a rather dramatic change in terms of how she views President-elect Donald Trump — specifically, whether she thinks it’s OK for journalists to label him a liar when he constantly lies.Stressing the “huge challenge” that looms for the press to cover Trum

Source: Faced With Trump’s Looming Press Crisis, Media Embrace Timidity And Accommodation

Australian Economy

We are Governed by Idiots. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

After several interest rate reductions over the past two years, a tool used by the Reserve Bank to stimulate activity, not much has happened. Business has not been prompted to invest and consumer spending is flat. So one might well ask, what’s going on behind the scenes? One would think that with interest rates so…

Source: We are Governed by Idiots. – » The Australian Independent Media Network