On this dark and stormy night, a lot of us on the East Coast of Australia face a particularly challenging day tomorrow at Christmas with rain and thunderstorms predicted. So here’s best wishes that we all get through it for the most part and are able to hold festive cheer with our families, friends and loved ones, for those of us who celebrate it and happy holidays regardless for those that do not.
Also best wishes to everyone in the new year next week, and hope that 2024 brings good things to everyone here at The Pub.
THE PUB 
I think Tom was trying to post on WordPress
😆 Inspired by Da Duck I listened to a Tom Lehrer song. I had not seen this accompanying pic before.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
Peter Dutton has ignited a culture war by urging consumers to boycott supermarket giant Woolworths over its decision to no longer stock special Australia Day-themed merchandise, drawing accusations from the government that the opposition leader is intent on dividing Australians against each other, write Matthew Knott and Olivia Ireland.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-calls-for-boycott-of-woolworths-for-not-selling-australia-day-items-20240111-p5ewlh.html
Peter Dutton has sparked a battle with business by calling on Australians to boycott one of the nation’s two big supermarket chains over its decision to stop stocking shelves with Australia Day merchandise, declaring that the move by Woolworths was “against the national interest”. Business Council of Australia chief executive Bran Black said the Opposition Leader’s call to boycott the supermarket giant was unjustified. “Businesses shouldn’t be boycotted because they make commercial decisions based on demand for products from their customers,” Mr Black said.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/peter-dutton-blasts-woolworths-for-not-carrying-australia-day-merchandise/news-story/13e241b0833ee032dbd0430a50e46219?amp=
The Liberals’ rage over business decisions to stop selling Australia Day crap that no one wants to buy is dumb-as-hell, writes Samantha Maiden. “If that’s the Liberals’ big idea for cost of living, God help us all”, she says.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/opinion/frothing-about-cheap-australia-day-junk-wont-bring-down-grocery-bills-samantha-maiden/news-story/2230d9a3a34436a1d8a639d2d92cb388?amp=
Australia has just 71 months left to start transforming its energy system, Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen has warned, and he has called on all levels of Australian government to speed up planning decisions for new energy projects and transmissions lines to meet renewable targets set for 2030. Mike Foley writes that Bowen declined to comment on the spat between Tanya Plibersek and the Victorian Climate Action and Energy Minister.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/get-to-yes-or-no-as-quickly-as-possible-bowen-wants-fast-decisions-on-renewables-20240111-p5ewmj.html
The world’s second-biggest shipping line has warned vessels are docking ten days late due to the wharf dispute, forcing major schedule disruptions. The AFR explains how the situation is approaching breaking point.
https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/port-supply-chain-is-at-breaking-point-maersk-20240111-p5ewm4
Councils in Victoria are demanding the state government drive an urgent response to the impacts of climate change after a new study laid bare the threats to homes, infrastructure and beaches around Port Phillip Bay from sea-level rise and storm surges. The coastal hazard assessment was belatedly released on Thursday – almost six years after work began on the project, and on the heels of a freedom-of-information request from The Age.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/climate-change-threatens-to-swamp-suburbs-now-comes-the-brawl-over-what-to-do-about-it-20240111-p5ewnd.html
“Sydney’s property boom and bank policies now restrict home or unit ownership to the well-paid or those with well-heeled parents. But for many renters, the housing crisis is not about living the Australian dream but just getting by. Reforms are coming, but if the increases keep coming, the question facing NSW is how many renters will take to the streets before help arrives?”, says the SMH editorial.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-s-overcharged-approach-the-end-of-their-tether-20240111-p5ewij.html
The world faces an increasing shortage of housing and an escalating climate emergency. These urgent global issues call for quick action and innovative solutions, write these contributors to The Conversation. They say that a prefab building revolution can help resolve both the climate and housing crises. An interesting read.
https://theconversation.com/a-prefab-building-revolution-can-help-resolve-both-the-climate-and-housing-crises-220290
A review of supermarket industry standards in an attempt to ease ever-increasing food prices has begun, but will this address the underlying cause of inequality, wonders Michelle Pini who points the finger at neoliberalism.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/food-fuel-and-news-a-neoliberal-nightmare,18230
Stephen Duckett has examined the government’s draft new Aged Care Act and declares that it comes up short in some areas . He says, “Though some of the right words might now be there, the draft Act is still riddled with the old ideology – of a health department (‘System Governor’) which is all care but no responsibility, extensive reliance on markets to address consumer needs, albeit with some improvement in regulatory oversight.”.
https://johnmenadue.com/proposed-new-aged-care-act-leaves-gaps-in-rights/
More than 15 per cent of delayed flights were caused by the government body responsible for air navigation safety last month, with its latest aviation network update revealing it’s still marred by staffing issues. Amelia Maguire reports that Airservices Australia, which manages Australia’s airspace and employs the country’s air traffic controllers, said it did not have enough staff available over the lead-up to the peak holiday season, which was also hit with a bout of bad weather.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/air-traffic-control-contributed-to-15-per-cent-of-flight-delays-in-december-20240111-p5ewnt.html
COVID is surging in Australia – and only 1 in 5 older adults are up to date with their boosters, explains Professor Adrian Esterman.
https://theconversation.com/covid-is-surging-in-australia-and-only-1-in-5-older-adults-are-up-to-date-with-their-boosters-220839
The private investment firm poised to take over Everton football club and which owns airlines in Canada and Australia is being chased for almost US$30m (A$44.7m) in unpaid aircraft leasing fees and damages. Elias Visontay reports that 777 Partners is facing legal action in the UK from three aircraft lessors over unpaid fees and damages related to four aircraft that were leased to Flair Airlines, the Canadian low-cost carrier that 777 partly owns.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/11/bonza-owners-being-chased-in-court-for-us30m-after-leased-planes-repossessed-in-canada
Government is still dithering over laws slated to come in 16 years ago which would make Australian property more affordable. Michael West reports on the (lack of) progress on AML-CTF reforms to address the deluge of Chinese money in Australian property.
https://michaelwest.com.au/aml-ctf-money-laundering-australia-property/
What is happening among conservatives in Western Christian countries raises the question of who they see as the enemy, explains Paul Begley.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/doubling-down-against-women-a-conservative-political-trend,18232
The US president warned the Israel-Hamas war is metastasising into a broader conflict as Iran, Yemen and Lebanon increase their involvement, explains international security analyst, Rodger Shanahan who says that Iran’s ‘axis of resistance’ is playing with fire.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/as-biden-warns-of-wider-conflict-iran-s-axis-of-resistance-plays-with-fire-20240110-p5ewed.html
In a case that strikes at the heart of Israel’s national identity, South Africa formally accused the country of committing genocide against Palestinians and pleaded with the United Nations’ top court to order an immediate halt to Israeli military operations in Gaza. The case is one of the most significant ever heard in an international court, and it goes to the core of one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/south-africa-accuses-israel-at-world-court-of-genocidal-acts-in-gaza-20240111-p5ewpo.html
Israel has shown “chilling” and “incontrovertible” intent to commit genocide in Gaza, with full knowledge of how many civilians it is killing, the UN international court of justice in The Hague has heard, at the opening of a case Israel has described as baseless.
https://www.theguardian.com/law/2024/jan/11/south-africa-accuses-israel-of-genocide-gaza-the-hague-international-court-of-justice
Donald Trump has argued his innocence and complained that the case against him is “fraud on me” as he launched into a court monologue on the closing day of his trial.
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/2024/01/12/trumps-fraud-case-closing-arguments
A Florida school district is facing a federal lawsuit after it decided to remove copies of dictionaries, encyclopedia, and other books because the works included descriptions of “sexual conduct”. Across the country, book bans have increased amid restrictive education laws, particularly in Republican-led states. Texas, Virginia and Florida have banned the most books. America is f****d!
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2024/jan/11/florida-schools-ron-desantis-ban-books-sexual-content
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Matt Golding
Jim Pavlidis
Glen Le Lievre
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_1240/t_resize_width%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/e592ef63790e9c4f749bbf8fe40e43abfb484eec#image.jpg
Alan Moir
Leak can’t help himself!
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/f3751b7fcd7bb9dd4c62ffb60ece1801?width=1024#image.jpg
From the US
So we are stuck with Stage 3 tax cuts which will only benefit those who earn the most, on the grounds that Labor cannot possibly break an election promise, but Labor seems set to break an election promise because …. Why? Too hard?
Labor shelves election promise for inquiry into prosecution of Witness K and Bernard Collaery
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/12/labor-shelves-election-promise-for-inquiry-into-prosecution-of-witness-k-and-bernard-collaery
Flicked open my dictionary and it happened to open on.
.
pusillanimous
adjective formal
UK /ˌpjuː.sɪˈlæn.ɪ.məs/ US /ˌpjuː.sɪˈlæn.ə.məs/
1.lacking courage or resolution; cowardly; faint-hearted; timid.
2. proceeding from or indicating a cowardly spirit.
Late addition…..
(3. See also, ‘Fighting Tories. It’s what I do.”)
Chris Hayes –
https://realnewsshow.com/index.php/2024/01/11/all-in-with-chris-hayes-1-11-24/
Brian Tyler Cohen –
More to come 😀
At last recognition 😆 A newspaper quiz question this morning asked…..
5/15
What beverage is by definition served at a “kaffeeklatsch”?
Cocktail
Beer
Coffee
Tea
————————————————————————–
Answer- Coffee
It translates from the German to coffee (kaffee) + gossip (klatsch) and refers to a group of friends getting together over a cup of coffee, usually at someone’s house.
Lawrence O’Donnell –
https://realnewsshow.com/index.php/2024/01/11/the-last-word-with-lawrence-odonnell-1-11-24/
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Seth Meyers –
Jimmy kimmel –
Stephen Colbert –
Are you in need of a mid-afternoon boost of sugar and caffeine? Then host an impromptu get-together with friends and catch up over a cup of coffee or tea, and sweet treats. Germans have a word for it: Kaffeeklatsch. It literally means coffee chatter, and originated as a weekday afternoon activity for stay-at-home mothers and grandmothers. But there’s no reason for this tradition to be relegated to the dustbin of history, or to women. Take a break, call your friends and invite them to join you for a Kaffeeklatsch at home or in the office.
https://germanfoods.org/german-food-facts/kaffee-und-kuchen-klatsch/
Am I sick of WordPress! 😡
Had a great birthday today. I was worried it would be too hot to be comfortable, so I asked for a lunch party instead of a dinner party, and it was well worth it. A wonderful meal by the lake with a fresh breeze blowing through our table on the pier.
Sounds very noice.
https://gifscenter.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Funny%20Birthday%20Wishes%20For%20Friend.gif
Oh and
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRL-hFe7sIj01ZKSY2gnJysQjLOWTRH5bUR8ph9GQeabOfozfeObfAx8kvlvwTudC_UyrQ&usqp=CAU
plus ,Wordpress ?
TinyURL recognizes it “http://tinyurl.com/ycyszdb5“
http://tinyurl.com/ycyszdb5
Seth Efrika’s opening of teh proceedings
Another broken promise by Labor –
“Please get us out of here”– concerns grow for PNG refugees amid violent unrest
https://asrc.org.au/2024/01/12/concerns-grow-for-png-refugees-amid-violent-unrest/?fbclid=IwAR391giwF1dBJfzQHdRi626mfAujGnpV12_Qp58fXfSY__AExQaoWO0jiwI
John Crace gets it
https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2024/jan/12/digested-week-who-gets-to-keep-their-gong-let-the-public-decide
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
The main challenge for the government will be to get credit for what it has achieved. Traditionally governments run on their record; however, few have had to endure the negativity that has been the opposition’s strategy under Dutton, writes John Hewson who expresses major concern over what the year will bring to politics. A very good read.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2024/01/13/smart-policy-v-dumb-politics
Mike Foley tells us that Jim Chalmers is in talks with the consumer watchdog about launching a powerful inquiry into alleged price gouging by supermarkets, a move that could expose the difference between the prices paid to farmers and other suppliers, and the prices paid by shoppers.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-fair-go-for-families-and-farmers-chalmers-in-talks-over-triggering-accc-supermarket-price-inquiry-20240112-p5ewv6.html
Michael McGowan reports that the peak lobby group representing real estate agents in NSW has warned the Minns government that its proposed rental reforms, including an end to no-grounds evictions, could breach the human rights of landlords, in a concerted push to water down the proposed laws. He says Labor is facing significant pushback to its proposed rental reforms from industry groups that vehemently oppose the changes and has delayed their introduction as Premier Chris Minns concedes there is “more to do” on the legislation.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/landlords-human-rights-at-stake-says-lobby-as-fight-gears-up-over-renting-rules-20240111-p5ewlw.html
Dutton’s Woolworths boycott was a bizarrely illiberal ploy for a Liberal leader, declares the SMH editorial.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-s-woolworths-boycott-a-bizarrely-illiberal-ploy-for-a-liberal-leader-20240112-p5ews6.html
Matthew Knott and Olivia Ireland write that the salvo is the latest in a string of attacks from Dutton on major corporations for wading into social issues such as the Voice to parliament and follows a vow after winning the Liberal Party leadership that he is not interested in duchessing the party’s traditional friends in “big business”.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-calls-for-boycott-of-woolworths-for-not-selling-australia-day-items-20240111-p5ewlh.html
Australian supermarkets breezed through the pandemic, increasing profits and shareholder returns even as living costs surged, all while avoiding the scrutiny faced by their overseas counterparts. But a looming parliamentary inquiry, and a revitalised political interest in the discrepancy between prices paid to farmers and those charged by supermarkets, means the sector has been thrust into the spotlight. The major supermarket chains regularly defend their pricing practices against critics but do their arguments stack up? Jonathan Barrett has al look at how they set and justify their prices.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2024/jan/13/supermarket-price-gouging-claims-inquiry-woolworths-coles-prices
As his voter appeal slides, Albanese must share spotlight with Chalmers, writes Chris Wallace who points to the Hawke/Keating era.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2024/01/13/albanese-no-longer-one-man-band
A mammoth effort to rescue the $42 billion-a-year National Disability Insurance Scheme by revisiting abandoned or undelivered proposals from the original 2011 blueprint will begin within weeks, and the speed of proposed reform has unnerved the disability community, explains Rick Morton.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2024/01/13/the-hidden-risks-the-ndis-restructure
The cause of the Australian republic should not be abandoned because the Voice referendum failed. But there are lessons to be learnt, writes Malcolm Turnbull.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/voice-lessons-for-republicans-don-t-give-up-on-constitutional-reform-20240112-p5ewrt.html
Australia’s renewable energy goals can’t come at the cost of biodiversity – we need a strategic approach, argues Hugh Possingham.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/12/australias-renewable-energy-goals-cant-come-at-the-cost-of-biodiversity-we-need-a-strategic-approach
David Livingstone explains why Australia joined the US in missile strikes on Houthi targets in Yemen. He says that apart from the ongoing tragedy of the humanitarian crisis confronting the people of Yemen, which will unlikely feature in the context of this latest action against the Houthis, Australia’s support for this military action looks like a low-cost, high-benefit decision for the government.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/why-australia-joined-the-us-in-missile-strikes-on-houthi-targets-in-yemen-20240112-p5ewva.html
Risks of a Middle East conflagration surged after the US and Britain bombed more than a dozen sites used by Iran-backed Houthis in Yemen, in a dramatic escalation of an Australia-backed mission to restore commercial shipping in the Red Sea, writes Jacob Greber.
https://www.afr.com/world/middle-east/iran-seizes-oil-tanker-in-a-new-threat-to-shipping-20240112-p5ewqe
As America and allies, with Australian support, launch strikes against targets in Yemen, it is clear the Israel–Hamas war is spilling over despite a series of diplomatic efforts to avert an expanded and protracted conflict, says Gregg Carlstrom.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/international-relations/2024/01/13/diplomacy-failing-expanding-israel-hamas-war
If Labor’s stunning win in the Aston byelection came in the Albanese government’s honeymoon, a looming poll in Dunkley will take place amid mid-relationship blues. Against the backdrop of nearly unprecedented mortgage rate rises, Anthony Albanese’s popularity has dipped, support for the Coalition has recovered to a competitive (if not winning) position, and Labor has spent months playing defence, says Paul Sakkal.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/how-albanese-and-dutton-will-fight-the-byelection-battle-to-shape-2024-20240111-p5ewmh.html
The next federal election will be decided in three key battlegrounds: NSW, Victoria and Western Australia, opines Peter van Onselen.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/seat-changes-could-make-or-break-albo-labor/news-story/687feaca794718786d44ddebc9826c02?amp=
Just as Australia begins to catch up with the rest of the world in its uptake of electric cars – a step crucial to reducing the transport sector’s significant greenhouse gas emissions – a lack of reliable charging stations is getting in the way of further progress, explains Mike Seccombe.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/environment/2024/01/13/charging-stations-are-the-next-hurdle-ev-progress
The sacking of the casual presenter over social media posts pokes at three sore points in the Australian media: race, Gaza, and political opinion, opine Michael Bachelard and Callum Jaspan.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/antoinette-lattouf-political-opinion-and-the-abc-s-impartiality-20240112-p5ewt1.html
“We can all be glad that judges constituting the ACT Court of Appeal in the Bernard Collaery case had a more liberal view of the need for open justice than the judge who had been set to hear the case. This was before the Attorney-General, Mark Dreyfus, stepped in to drop the prosecution altogether. But it is too early to come to any conclusion that the oppressive overreach of national security legislation, and its threat to the justice system is over”, writes Jack Waterford who reckons national security is now thoroughly politicised, by bureaucrats as well as politicians.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8484026/national-securitys-oppressive-overreach-a-threat-to-justice/?cs=14258
Oakleigh and Clayton were outer suburbs. They are about to transform into a new CBD in Victoria, write Melissa Cunningham and Patrick Hatch.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/oakleigh-and-clayton-were-outer-suburbs-they-are-about-to-transform-into-a-new-cbd-20240111-p5ewn5.html
Dear old Gerard launches yet another attack on the ABC.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/dismissal-film-is-more-onesided-leftist-propaganda/news-story/2e4960bfa0432dd01a1c6059e69bce92?amp=
More than 30 arson attacks on tobacco shops, ice cream parlours, cafes and restaurants over the past 10 months have prompted calls for greater police resourcing and an urgent regulatory response from the Allan government to combat the escalating war between Middle Eastern crime syndicates. Cameron Houston reports that Melbourne awoke yesterday morning to news of yet another firebombing – the second attack on the same Freechoice Tobacconist outlet in Altona in just 24 hours.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/we-just-need-action-convenience-stores-want-tough-response-to-arson-attacks-20240112-p5eww2.html
“For the past 50 years, successive federal governments have taken turns at shovelling billions of taxpayer dollars into local projects such as refurbishing surf clubs and building barbecues. As these are local, not federal matters, is it lawful? The short answer is, mostly not. The Constitution does not confer any power on the Commonwealth to fund sporting clubs and public recreation amenities. Nor would any sane person expect it to”, declares Anne Twomey.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2024/01/13/unlawful-government-spending-must-stop
The Catholic bishop Christopher Saunders, who is accused of sexually assaulting and grooming young Aboriginal men, has been removed as the person responsible for nine Broome diocese charities, records show. Saunders, who denies the accusations, which are alleged to have occurred during his almost five-decade career, stood aside as the bishop of Broome in 2020 and Pope Francis accepted his resignation in 2021. He is now described as “emeritus” bishop of Broome.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/13/catholic-bishop-subject-of-vatican-investigation-no-longer-in-control-of-broome-charities
The genocide court case against Israel started in the International Court of Justice on Thursday. Israel will vigorously define itself, but even if it does lose, what effect will it have on the war in Gaza? Donald Rothwell addresses the question.
https://michaelwest.com.au/icj-south-africa-genocide-case-against-israel-hague/
American democracy’s at DEFCON1, and a Trump win may seal its fate, writes a concerned Nick Bryant.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/american-democracy-s-at-defcon1-a-trump-win-may-seal-its-fate-20240111-p5ewhc.html
Michael Pascoe writes, “It’s always wise to be careful what you wish for. If Donald Trump is kicked off so many state primary tickets that he can’t run for President in November, the United States is more likely to be run by the Trump Party with a ruthless agenda. For the US – and therefore Australia, its lockstep AUKUS ally – this is the most dangerous political year since the Civil War as the increasingly fascist-sounding Trump squares off against the politically fading Joe Biden”.
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2024/01/13/michael-pascoe-biden-trump
While America’s military and economy remain exceptionally strong, its political system is more dysfunctional than that of any other advanced industrial democracy. In 2024, the US presidential election and the political divisions it exacerbates will test the resilience of American democracy like nothing the United States has experienced in more than 150 years, says Ian Bremmer who concludes his contribution with, “The United States is already the world’s most divided and dysfunctional advanced industrial democracy. The 2024 election will exacerbate this problem, no matter who wins. With the outcome of the vote essentially a coin toss (at least for now), the only certainty is continued damage to America’s social fabric, political institutions, and international standing”.
https://www.afr.com/world/north-america/this-us-election-will-be-america-versus-itself-20240112-p5ewt3
The United States presidential election is just 10 months away, Joe Biden is taking a battering in the polls and Donald Trump looks set to sweep the first four Republican primaries, writes Bruce Wolpe who takes us inside the US Republican caucuses.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/world/north-america/2024/01/13/inside-the-us-republican-primaries-the-trump-avalanche
Cartoon Corner (NineFax does not have its usual cartoon collection up today)
David Pope
Glen Le Lievre
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_1240/t_resize_width%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/c06958bb7e0bf22fcab7228e9b0681b73ee0bf52#image.jpg
Jon Kudelka
Leak
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/77e7d115bdaa8948fb2fd2535079451b?width=1024#image.jpg
From the US
Chris Hayes –
https://realnewsshow.com/index.php/2024/01/12/all-in-with-chris-hayes-1-12-24/
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Dawn Patrollers
This is a standout contribution that I have come across this morning. It comes from , Collin Acton OAM, who is the former Principal Chaplain and Director-General of Chaplaincy in the Royal Australian Navy. It goes into considerable detail to explain how Defence’s reliance on ordained ministers of religion is so out of touch.
https://johnmenadue.com/defences-reliance-on-ordained-ministers-of-religion-is-out-of-touch/
Morning, BK!
Perhaps the Strayan armed forces have a ‘feature’ in common with Mercan forces. Over representation of ‘fundies’ among the higher ranks ?
Fundamentalist Religion Rampant in U.S. Armed Forces, Says National Security Expert
For Immediate Release: March 4, 2013
The report, authored by James E. Parco, a retired Air Force lieutenant colonel and former member of the National Security Council under President Clinton, illustrates how a fundamentalist brand of Christianity has infused with American military culture. Parco details how commanders use the power of their positions to evangelize and force a narrow sectarian view on U.S. military institutions and service members – and all in broad daylight, with little to no accountability………….Senior officers have created cultures of religious sectarianism in their commands and institutions, including in the various service academies…………………..Senior fundamentalist Christian officers have used their rank and authority to undermine efforts by subordinates to maintain institutional neutrality toward religion.
https://centerforinquiry.org/press_releases/fundamentalist-religion-rampant-in-u-s-armed-forces-says-national-security-expert/
Two articles by Brian Hioe
Lai Wins Presidency, But DPP Fails to Hold Majority in Legislature
https://newbloommag.net/2024/01/13/lai-victory/
Taiwan’s DPP Wins Presidency, Falls Short in Legislature
Lai Ching-te won with a plurality, largely due to a divided opposition. But the loss of the DPP’s legislative majority is a warning sign for the party moving forward.
https://thediplomat.com/2024/01/taiwans-dpp-wins-presidency-falls-short-in-legislature/
The below article from Jan 2022 is sort of being echoed in Australia. As the L/NP distances itself from public corporations, they’ll still deal with and rake in the donations from private big businesses, billionaires, and select corps like mining companies (and dirty extractive sectors more generally) who are ideologically aligned with them. Gina isn’t the same as those public corps with wide consumer and stakeholder bases who are increasing more wary of donations to political parties but who make occasional token social gestures that can be called “woke” by culture war obsessives and who are already not popular with the people for economic reasons.
https://www.dissentmagazine.org/article/family-capitalism-and-the-small-business-insurrection/
For decades, beavers were considered pests – trapped and shot on sight. Now the attitude towards nature’s best engineers is changing, and U.S. farmers are working to bring them back.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20240111-the-us-is-bringing-back-beavers-because-theyre-natures-best-firefighters
The lost ancient practice of communal sleep
https://www.bbc.co.uk/future/article/20240111-sleep-the-lost-ancient-practise-of-sharing-a-bed
Here is a paywall free version of the Freshwater poll. The TPP is 50-50.
No primary voting figures are given.
https://archive.is/QxKTM
The original link.
https://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/shock-poll-we-dont-trust-albo-to-help-us-with-costs-of-living/news-story/e8b7e7b39bedcd2e4c8d14746d6c0a50
Kevin Bonham has a thread about it on twitter. He is scathing of the incomplete reporting.
https://twitter.com/kevinbonham/status/1746295345611780449
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
The rules of political conflict will change this year. But
to capitalise on the gains he’s made on Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton needs a
new battle plan, writes Sean Kelly.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-wants-2024-to-be-a-repeat-of-2023-but-wishing-doesn-t-make-it-so-20240114-p5ex3t.html
Millie Muroi has written a good piece on productivity, saying
that if we want to improve our living standards and rein in inflation, the key
is not to exhaust ourselves on the treadmill. Instead, we should encourage more
competition between firms, invest in education and perhaps upgrade our
treadmill – or reinvent it.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-wants-2024-to-be-a-repeat-of-2023-but-wishing-doesn-t-make-it-so-20240114-p5ex3t.html
“If the PM thinks this supermarket sweep is enough, he’s off
his trolley”, writes former ACCC chair, Rod Sims in an article well worth
reading.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/if-the-pm-thinks-this-supermarket-sweep-is-enough-he-s-off-his-trolley-20240111-p5ewm0.html
A review of supermarket industry standards in an attempt to
ease ever-increasing food prices has begun, but will this address the
underlying cause of inequality, wonders Michelle Pini.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/food-fuel-and-news-a-neoliberal-nightmare,18230
After a slow and sometimes bumpy start to Labor’s return to
power in Macquarie Street, the new year offers a slew of opportunities for the
fledgling Minns government. Housing reform, public sector pay negotiations,
energy policy and infrastructure delivery are key issues Labor will need to
tackle over the coming 12 months. The Sydney Morning Herald believes drug
reform deserves to be equally high on the agenda, says its editorial.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/drug-law-reform-must-be-key-priority-for-minns-government-20240114-p5ex3g.html
Those who believe the ABC propagates extreme left-wing
content live in an alternate universe, writes John Longhurst.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/abcs-left-wing-bias-upsets-conservatives,18240
If immigration must stay in Home Affairs, Abul Rizvi tells
us how to fix the agency. It’s an interesting contribution within whick Rizvi
says that, partly due to Pezzullo’s arrogance, and Scott Morrison’s view the
public service is there to just do as it is told, it appears the policy
advising, research and statistical analysis part of immigration has also been
run down. This will need to be re-built.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8484250/stephanie-foster-faces-herculean-task-in-home-affairs-role/?cs=14350
More than 900 questions from the Senate about the health and
aged care portfolio have been left unanswered since October, as crossbench and
opposition members accuse the government of having “contempt for transparency”,
reports Olivia Ireland.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/more-than-900-parliamentary-questions-on-health-and-aged-care-unanswered-20240112-p5ewx1.html
Ronald Mizen reports that Peter Dutton said Anthony Albanese
must intervene in the industrial brawl between stevedore giant DP World and the
Maritime Union of Australia because it threatened to badly damage the economy. Mr
Dutton said with “hundreds of ships lining up offshore” it was within the prime
minister’s power to “pick the phone up” to union leaders and get the issue
sorted out. “This is a critical issue,” he said. As easy as that!
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/dp-world-s-spiralling-port-costs-stoking-price-rises-20240114-p5ex3z
According to Matthew Knott, federal Labor faces internal
pressure to treat extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian
territories akin to listed terror groups as Foreign Minister Penny Wong heads
to the Middle East on a high-stakes mission to help secure an end to the war in
Gaza.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/finger-pointing-not-enough-penny-wong-urged-to-punish-israeli-settlers-ahead-of-mid-east-trip-20240112-p5ewwz.html
Foreign Minister Penny Wong will not visit the southern
Israeli towns where the October 7 massacres occurred, marking another break in
Australia’s position from some of its closest allies whose leaders have visited
the Jewish state in the aftermath of terror group Hamas’s assault, complains Yoni
Bashan in The Australian.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/penny-wong-will-not-go-to-october-7-massacre-sites-during-israel-visit-sparking-fury-in-jerusalem/news-story/1a87e7f50397c22c75cf2b00d424510f?amp=
Meanwhile, Julian Hill has suggested that Australian
citizens should be banned from funding Israeli settlements in the West Bank,
calling on his own government to take a stronger stance against settler
activity deemed illegal under international law.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/15/labor-mp-urges-crackdown-on-australians-funding-israeli-settlements-in-west-bank
Global inflation was about to be tamed, but the Red Sea
attacks are now fanning revival fears, explains Bloomberg’s Edna Curran.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-wants-2024-to-be-a-repeat-of-2023-but-wishing-doesn-t-make-it-so-20240114-p5ex3t.html
If Trump wins, it will not be in spite of democracy, but
because of it, opines George Brandis.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/if-trump-wins-it-will-not-be-in-spite-of-democracy-but-because-of-it-20240114-p5ex2b.html
Whoever rules the waves rules the world… The Red Sea
crisis will show us if that’s true, posits Kim Darroch.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/14/houthi-airstrikes-rishi-sunak-joe-biden-yemen
“Europe is marching to the right. Can Keir Starmer carry the
centre-left torch?”, wonders Tim Bale.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/jan/14/europe-marches-right-keir-starmer-carry-centre-left-torch
Lai’s victory in Taiwan is an embarrassment for Beijing,
writes Eryk Bagshaw.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/lai-s-victory-in-taiwan-is-an-embarrassment-for-beijing-20240114-p5ex3c.html
William Lai’s presidential election triumph in Taiwan
represents a humiliation for Beijing, a strong refusal by the people of Taiwan
to be bulled, a harbinger of increased strategic danger in northern Asia and
both a wake-up call and a challenge for the Albanese government, says Greg
Sheridan.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/taiwanese-people-deliver-a-giant-vote-for-beijings-humiliation/news-story/dba5b0b96c466b70c5f7af2a0cf2aec2?amp=
Cartoon Corner – where that the Ninefax Cartoons gone?
Glen Le Lievre
https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_1240/t_resize_width%2Cq_52%2Cf_auto/7041fd98891858a1f12628190b6e1f544de67243#image.jpg
Peter Broelman
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/images/transform/v1/crop/frm/pMXRnDj3SUU44AkPpn97sC/96d09628-4996-4655-8e27-6644c15ad7bb.png/r0_0_1920_1079_w1200_h678_fmax.webp#image.jpg
Spooner
https://content.api.news/v3/images/bin/71621fb816c42977ccd5438476206e31?width=1024#image.jpg
From the US
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/jDiA9zr5VJiq2vRmLJPXA7-1024-80.jpg
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/Jigwso4ozC4hXmatUwcbSH-1024-80.jpg
https://cdn.mos.cms.futurecdn.net/X9HFn3DSTtL4LjhG2YBU9A-1024-80.jpg
https://image.cagle.com/281699/750/281699.png
https://image.cagle.com/281698/750/281698.png
https://image.cagle.com/281693/750/281693.png
https://image.cagle.com/281690/750/281690.png
https://image.cagle.com/281687/750/281687.png
https://image.cagle.com/281680/750/281680.png
https://image.cagle.com/281676/750/281676.png
Foreign relationsLabor at odds over Israeli settlers as Wong heads to the Middle East
Labor faces internal pressure to treat extremist Israeli settlers in the occupied Palestinian territories akin to terror groups
……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….
A lay down misère that the arseholes are terrorists. A useful tool for the Israeli government to drive Palestinians from their land so of course SFA happens. In fact they provide funding to assist the arseholes. They are ‘official’ policy .
A piece by the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem
Settler Violence = State Violence
https://www.btselem.org/settler_violence
And one from The Brookings Institute.
Settler Terrorism: An American Problem.
https://www.brookings.edu/articles/settler-terrorism-an-american-problem/
Lets check out some of the headlines the ‘Settlers’ have received in recent years.
This morning on RN there was a discussion about a proposal to name heatwaves a la Cyclones. I thought it a bit of a pointless exercise but then realised that it all depends on the pool of names used. So bring it on and let’s have the John Howard Heat Wave, The Peabody Coal Heatwave, The Tony Abbott Heatwave, The Gina Heatwave, The BHP Mitsubishi Alliance Coal Heatwave. The names would also be used to name any associates mass fish kills and coral bleaching events caused by over heated surface waters.
There is a pattern forming…..
The world’s five richest men have more than doubled their fortunes to $869bn (£681.5bn) since 2020, while the world’s poorest 60% – almost 5 billion people – have lost money.
https://www.theguardian.com/inequality/2024/jan/15/worlds-five-richest-men-double-their-money-as-poorest-get-poorer
Three richest Australians’ combined wealth doubles since 2020 at $1.5m an hour – Oxfam
Report says combined fortunes of Gina Rinehart, Andrew Forrest and Harry Triguboff doubled between 2020 and 2023, while one in eight Australians live in poverty
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/jan/15/richest-people-in-australia-most-wealthy-three-doubles-2020-gina-rinehart-andrew-forrest-harry-triguboff
But hey, remember folks it is all those ‘greedy’ workers getting pay increases wot is the problem, just ask the AFR and all the other business shills. Pay increases by the way that still leave we peasant poorer due to inflation. But then I suppose the plutocrat class are able to buy as many dismal scientists and governments as required to persuade us just why systems that ensure their wealth balloons is the ONLY way to go. 😦
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Jen Psaki –
https://realnewsshow.com/index.php/2024/01/14/inside-with-jen-psaki-1-14-24/
Ali Velshi –
https://realnewsshow.com/index.php/2024/01/14/velshi-1-14-24-10am/
https://realnewsshow.com/index.php/2024/01/14/velshi-1-14-24-11am/
This guy is really good value on US politics, especially Trump. Brian Tyler Cohen. He is a progressive commentater and he seems to know the USA law, regarding the ridiculous Trump claim that USA Presients have complete immunity to prosecution for any crime while in office. The judge asked the Trump lawyers if theat means the President could order Seal Team Six to assassinate his opponent, and face no consequences. https://youtu.be/V4hvMtMreE0?si=5QJbkNjcpJyQ4bb6
PTMD, I’ve been following BTC for a while, prompted by ckwatt’s postings. I agree he is excellent, and I appreciate his regular monologues and interviews with people like Glenn Kirschner, Mark Elias, Tim ?, Jamie Raskin and a lot of other good people.
Ì can empathise with not feeling good, although my life is so much better over the past 25-ish years thanks to major improvements to medication for my medical condition.
Having ‘known’ you via Pollbludger and then The Pub, you’ve shared some of the upheavals in your life. I sincerely hope that what you are doing, and your recent experiences with the people and spirits of Fitzroy Crossing will bring some comfort.
Helen
Oops x3
I have not been feeling good. Xmas can be sad for me, so I have not felt like I had the energy to post anything. I have been flat, doing that Japanese thing of Laying Down. Then there also is a bit of the Korean thing going on at the moment with young and not so young South Koreans who are suffering under high pressure competition for less opportunity, translated as Let It Rot.
Sorry to see Puff, sending good wishes to you!
Actually Bai-Lan is Chinese, but the doco I watched was about South Korean young people. https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/may/26/the-rise-of-bai-lan-why-chinas-frustrated-youth-are-ready-to-let-it-rot
Dear Puffy,
I totally and utterly empathise! Not feeling great myself, but we will both struggle through and succeed, my dear friend.
I wonder of our yoof will turn to a local version of Bai-Lan ? The following could easily apply to local youngsters what with the gig economy and the prospect of owning a house if my “Bank of Mum & Dad” ain’t cashed up..
…………year-old creative industry professional in Beijing. He says that for his generation of young Chinese, this attitude of letting things rot is likely to be caused by a lack of social mobility and increased uncertainty in today’s China.
“Unlike my parents’ generation, young Chinese today have much bigger expectations, but there are many more uncertainties for us, too. For example, we cannot make any long-term plans for our lives any more, because we do not know what is going to happen to us even five years down the road.”
“Earlier we brought you news that a Woolworths store in the inner-city suburb of Teneriffe was hit with pro-Australia Day graffiti and a flare was set off at about 5.10am this morning. Queensland police have now released video footage that appears to show two people spray-painting the Teneriffe Woolworths.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2024/jan/15/australian-news-live-penny-wong-middle-east-gaza-denmark-housing-queen-mary-frederik-yemen#top-of-blog
Signed Peter Dutton
Shades of Trump and 6 January.
The People’s Republic of Westralia knew how to do Straya Day , it was ‘celebrated’ on the closest Monday and so a guaranteed long weekend………………….until the @#%$#%#@ !!!! Feds screwed things up for us and made us ‘celebrate’ Australia day on Teh Day. From Sandgropia the 26th is bloody NSW Day, nowt to do with us.
As for Sth Australia 🙂
https://s3-ap-southeast-2.amazonaws.com/awm-media/collection/REL37725/screen/3818026.JPG#.jpg
Unreliable memory has me thinking the same also happened in Westralia re ANZAC Day.
Today is MLK’s birthday.
More importantly, it’s National Porthole Day!
I put a new post up. Please excuse the topic, with all the doom and gloom around the world, I thought a story of a new life journey would be good for us all.
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