Politics
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A five-minute scroll
British surgeon Nizam Mamode describes how Israel’s quadcopters target children and Norwegian physician, Dr. Mads Gilbert speaks out on 400 days of genocide. Israel, meanwhile, has passed laws allowing children under under the age of 14 to be jailed. Sarah Schwartz of the Jewish Council of Australia speaks out on the false reporting of weekend Continue reading »
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Accusing the Palestinians of what they themselves do
With impudence, Israel and its lobby always accuse us Palestinians of what they do against us. They play the role of the victim, making the criminal a victim and the victim a criminal even as they commit one of the most heinous war crimes and genocide against humanity, with unprecedented hatred and sadistic brutality. Turning tens Continue reading »
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Trump’s America: ecstasy or agony?
Trump’s election victory is not the momentous or unexpected event many have made it out to be. It is, however, a sure sign of a slowly decaying society where frustration, anger and bewilderment are at epidemic proportions. Continue reading »
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Australia’s settler-colonial view of Israel’s genocide
“Australia’s colonial history is full of [such] genocidal punitive massacres. But somehow the Australian government couldn’t see the similarity when they declared their full support for Israel’s right to defend itself.” Continue reading »
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How can civilised people countenance genocide?
Relatively few people alive would have experienced the rise of fascism in the early C20 but most people understand the crucial role that manipulation of information played in the ascent to power in what were democratic’ countries. Mussolini evolved from a journalist/publishing background; Goebbels and ‘the big lie’ trope are a frequently quoted feature of Continue reading »
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Two paramount human-made existential threats: Nuclear weapons and our climate
“I don’t see a pandemic finishing us off, and climate change itself would (to quote Keating) ‘do us slowly’. The one sure path to extinction is nuclear war.” – Professor Peter Doherty AC, Nobel Laureate, communication to the author, 9 Sep 2024. Continue reading »
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One cheer for student loan changes
As you may have noticed, the Government has announced changes to student loans and debts, subject (eyeroll) to their re-election. Tick; even the Greens are taking credit. Continue reading »
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Whatever Dutton wants, Albanese makes sure he gets
The Albanese Government’s obsessive enthusiasm for matching Coalition and News Corp demands with policy responses was on show twice last week. On both occasions it was enshrined in legislation, the first on immigration detention and the other on laws to restrict social media access. Continue reading »
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From Fowler to Barton, Labor HQ ignores the rank and file
With a Federal election early next year, and opinion polls showing Labor at best only level with the Coalition, it would seem wise for Labor HQ to ensure that no mistake is made in the choice of candidates even in supposed safe seats. But head office need to control, which in 2022 led to parachuting Continue reading »
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NATO and the Russian invasion of Ukraine
In a recent Pearls and Irritations article Jon Richardson has sought to make the argument that the prospect of Ukraine joining NATO played no part in Russia’s 2022 invasion but that this was a product of Russian imperialism. Why supporters of this line of argument seek to attribute the invasion to only one factor – Continue reading »
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Election study shows what kind of government New Zealand voters wanted
The US election guru James Carville is credited with putting Bill Clinton in the White House with the slogan “It’s the Economy, Stupid” on his election strategy white board every day of the US Presidential campaign in 1992. The New Zealand Election Study indicates the economy was also front of mind for voters in the Continue reading »
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Australians pierce the foreign policy propaganda of both major parties
A Resolve Political Monitor poll published in today’s Sydney Morning Herald makes clear that the Australian community at large possesses a contrary view to the foreign policy priorities of the Albanese government and its predecessor under Scott Morrison. Continue reading »
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A five-minute scroll
Owen Jones reveals media manipulation regarding the soccer in Amsterdam. Palestine, the most well-documented genocide in history, Gideon Levy speaks of the Apartheid state while Andrey reveals the destruction of Bedouin communities. In South Lebanon, attacks on cities intensify while reports Israel has killed more than 200 paramedics are ignored by the press. At home, Continue reading »
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B-2 Bomber Strikes in Yemen and their significance for Australia
Australian territory has been used in supporting US B-2 bombers en route and in return from strikes against Houthi targets in Yemen on October 17, and highlights the profound strategic significance of this event for the future role Australia may play in US strategic bomber operations against China, in the Asia Pacific and beyond. Continue reading »
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America first, Earth last: Australia’s security now needs a climate focus
There’s a new, stark reality we must face: Donald Trump’s victory will push the Earth system further down a perilous path towards three degrees Celsius of global warming or more, with catastrophic consequences for human civilisation and the environment. Continue reading »
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Trump’s impact on the rest of the world, and Australia in particular
Somewhat surprisingly, careful analysis and modelling show that Trump’s crude attempt to Make America Great Again, mainly damages the American economy. The rest of the world, and Australia in particular, should proceed with their own business as usual. Continue reading »
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Grinding the axis
Axis is a four-letter word that should be banned or at least binned for the time being. The US uses the term in a distinctly hostile way, and now Andrew Shearer, Australia’s chief security adviser, has adopted the same language. Continue reading »
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BBC goes full Goebbels in support of Israeli soccer hooligans
“IDF will fuck the Arabs!”, “Why is school out in Gaza? There are no children left there!” Maccabi Tel Aviv football fans chanting on 8 November, as reported by The Times of Israel. Yet the BBC just compared them to Jewish victims of the Nazi pogroms. Why this story matters is because of the outsized Continue reading »
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Dutton’s failure on border protection
Peter Dutton and the Murdoch press are celebrating Trump’s anti-immigration fuelled victory. While he may not use Trump’s extreme language such as ‘migrants are poisoning the blood’, or that they are ‘eating the dogs’, his anti-immigration rhetorical skills are his best pathway to the Lodge. Continue reading »
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Like Kamala, Albanese doesn’t seem to get it
This was a mood election; It was not a referendum about Kamala Harris. Nor was it a referendum of Donald Trump’s character. Continue reading »
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A contrived myth? North Korean troops battling the Ukrainians in Kursk
At the beginning of World War I, when the British Expeditionary Force in France was being battered by the advancing German army there was great anxiety in Britain. Then the Russians magically came to the rescue. Continue reading »
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A five-minute scroll
A statement from Prime Minister Albanese for Remembrance Day, 2024. An overview of Israeli action in Gaza over the last month and an overview of entering Gaza over the weekend. Protests in the Netherlands in support of Palestine after ugly scenes during and after the soccer. Chris Hedges describes the ‘corporate civil war’ in the Continue reading »
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“The lie in the soul”: True respect on Remembrance Day
While official speeches commonly cite ‘democracy’ among the causes for which Australians and our allies have always fought, we are free to wonder if that is not ‘the lie in the soul’ this Remembrance day. Continue reading »
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“Be prepared”: The US of Trump 02 is a foreign country
We must recognise that over 50% of US voters have now elected Trump. The almost cult-like MAGA can no longer be regarded as an aberration. Countries like Australia now have to recognise just how this new US increasingly is becoming a “foreign” country. Continue reading »
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Trump victory increases hazards for climate and global health
The well documented and steadily increasing health problems globally, directly associated with climate change, have been discussed with appropriate alarm by many expert contributors to P & I. Continue reading »
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The “Rules based International order”- illusion and reality
US and Australian politicians frequently refer to the rules based international order when attacking the actions of “official enemies”. Most Australians think that they are referring to the UN Charter and the basis of international law that it personifies. For those in the know international law also incorporates the binding resolutions of the UN Security Continue reading »
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The Gaza catastrophe: Compel Israeli and Western elites to see reason
Israel is determined to take over North Gaza. This explains its destruction of residential areas in the region. Schools and hospitals have also been targeted. People have been forced to flee their homes. Many who have chosen to stay behind have been killed. Continue reading »
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The Australian colony: When will the ALP Government initiate system reform?
The visit of the British royals was for many Australians a non-event, an almost unreal formality that has to be experienced and processed. During the visit, Lydia Thorpe felt compelled to very publicly state: “You committed genocide against our people. Give us our land back. … We want a treaty in this country. This is Continue reading »
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ACCC executives accepted gift during QANTAS investigation
Revelations about Prime Minister Albanese’s free access to the exclusive lounges offered by QANTAS and Virgin Australia, has awoken the Australian public to the additional benefits politicians receive from these airlines. But the travel perks received by politicians is only part of the story. The greater risk to the integrity of Federal Government programmes arises Continue reading »
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Modern slavery in Australia’s diplomatic heart: envoys’ abuse of domestic workers exposed
Court rulings have revealed harrowing stories of abuse and neglect at the hands of envoys operating under diplomatic immunity in Canberra. Continue reading »