Politics
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A five-minute scroll
Pulling children out of rubble, witnessing ill-treatment of Palestinian civilians by Israeli soldiers, witnessing the displaced Gazan population work its way through destroyed streets. In Australia, the Senate debate on housing. These are the items we found on our five-minute scroll on X. Continue reading »
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How to ensure a Gaza ceasefire
We are all appalled by the scale of the deaths and destruction in Gaza. Every day brings more terrible news. Continue reading »
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A solution in Ukraine?
There must be a negotiated end to the Ukraine War. The alternative is nuclear armageddon. Continue reading »
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Kamala still facing electoral college hurdles
Kamala Harris was, to my mind, a clear winner of the first debate between herself and Donald Trump. As things stand, however, I reckon that Trump must be still regarded as the favourite to win a majority of the state electoral college votes, and thus become the next president. I hope I am wrong, but Continue reading »
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We can no longer ignore the poor oral health of older people
We urgently need the Senior Smiles Program in Residential Aged Care Continue reading »
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If Gaza carnage continues, then nobody is safe
If the genocide in Gaza is not stopped we all face a very dark future Continue reading »
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Why Netanyahu chooses war over peace
As protests grow, Benjamin Netanyahu clings to power in what appears to be a gambit to shape his own political and legal future, regardless of the cost. Continue reading »
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For a pacific Pacific: thoughts about how to promote peace
Naval and air standoffs, sabre-rattling and accusations of underhand dealings are heightening tensions in the Asia-Pacific region and causing a security dilemma. It does not have to be like this. Diplomacy and referral to international dispute resolution mechanisms can make a difference. Continue reading »
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A new hope
Australia can graduate from a ‘dig it up and ship it out’ quarry to a leader in the global transition to clean energy. Our vast array of minerals-in-high-demand processed with our low-cost clean energy can secure prosperity for generations of Australians. Continue reading »
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Seal of approval for the Teals?
Peter Dutton has questioned the effectiveness and value of the Teals. I live in Mayo. This has always been a solid liberal seat. So why was Rebcca Sharkey successful? Although predating the Teals she has many features in common with them. Continue reading »
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Five-minute scroll
We start the week with our five-minute scroll on X to bring you a sample of the world and local issues that may not be found in our mainstream media. Today the first posts we saw include the plea to educate yourself on the history of Israel’s actions in Gaza, Malcolm Turnbull talks reality regarding Continue reading »
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‘AUKUS-plus and the realities of Australia’s involvement in US nuclear proliferation’
US attack submarines operating from Australia could be armed with US nuclear weapons at the stroke of a presidential decision; and US strategic bombers based in Australia could be nuclear-armed, as in fact USAF nuclear safety regulations permit in crisis already. Continue reading »
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Sudan’s nightmare: 150,000 civilians killed
UN estimates suggest 2.5 million people will die by the end of 2024 and six million by 2027. World Health Organisation chief Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus has called on the world to “wake up and help Sudan out of the nightmare it is living through”. Continue reading »
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What we know about Australia’s arms exports: we’ve analysed the data
Thousands of protesters have been out in force in Melbourne last week to disrupt the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition, where defence companies from around the world are showcasing their latest designs in weapons and technology. Continue reading »
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Conditioning Americans for war with Russia
With new US action against Moscow, Russiagate remains like a vampire, with noone able to drive a wooden stake into its heart and keep it there. Continue reading »
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Antisemitism tangle: Can ridicule depict reality?
Current responses to the Gaza “war” would seem to suggest that antisemitism is the priority issue, not the unending slaughter of Palestinians. Continue reading »
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Aiding and abetting and war crimes
The participation of four Israeli arms companies in the Land Forces International Land Defence Exposition in Melbourne is a clear instance of the Australian Government aiding and abetting the commission of an ongoing war crime in Gaza. Continue reading »
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Was the housing crisis caused by government policy?
A crisis in house prices and availability has been raging for years, particularly the dearth of low cost housing to rent, or buy. Is this housing crisis really a result of market forces, or is it created by previous government tax policies? [read more] Continue reading »
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The man from Bethlehem and the dangers of hypocrisy
Last April a man from Bethlehem visited Australia. Like an earlier man born in Bethlehem he delivered some well directed words that did not always settle on welcoming ears. Continue reading »
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Guess what? Tony Abbott got it wrong
Guess what? Science demonstrates Abbott got it totally wrong on carbon tax Continue reading »
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How do they sleep at night?
The nature of human cruelty is vastly complex, so I am focusing on some valued insights that have enlightened my activism.
For years, like others, I was utterly baffled by the question: how do the perpetrators sleep at night? Continue reading » -
We’re right behind you: The AUKUS delusion
The series Blackadder, set in World War 1, was full of farce built around black humour. In the final episode it has been determined by High Command to send those involved to go “over the top” in a hopeless race toward German machine-guns. The night before they are visited by their commanding general who pompously Continue reading »
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Legal responses to gendered violence in Australia
How do we address community concern about increasingly high rates of male violence towards women in Australia? Continue reading »
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Are America’s right and left converging on foreign policy?
The interview of Jeffrey Sachs, a Social Progressive, by Tucker Carlson, a Social Conservative, makes riveting viewing since its an insight to where the polar enemies of American politics may be converging on their big picture view of US foreign policy. Continue reading »
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Mismanagement of Australia’s monetary system
I submit that the current Australian monetary policies are not in the best interests of the population. Continue reading »
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Giving Medicare teeth is a chance to fix its flaws
Doctors tried to stop it at first, but half a century later Medicare is an untouchable brand in Australian healthcare and politics. While we’re lucky to have it, Medicare isn’t perfect. Expanding it to cover dental care is long overdue, but that shouldn’t mean repeating Medicare’s mistakes. Continue reading »
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Lock ’em up, or maybe not
Incarceration is widely seen as the ultimate penalty (short of execution), and so, serious, and not-so-serious, offences are measured by the extent of the jail term. The question is, does that achieve the aims of the criminal justice system? Is incarceration a deterrent, and does it reduce the risk of re-offending? The answer provided by Continue reading »
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The mistaken conventional wisdom about nuclear energy
Recently, three articles have appeared in P&I about nuclear energy, one by Richard Broinowski on 29 August, one by Jim Coombs on 2 September, and a third by Joseph G. Davis on 3 September. All of them are negative about nuclear energy. The negativity in each case is driven by a fundamentally mistaken but widespread Continue reading »
