Play Nice Society, Religion & Politics Thread

[Ticky009]

Keep an eye on Advance as we move towards the next election. If you want a bit of an understanding of what they're about and the tripe they peddle for the billionaires who fund it - check out this article.

Anti-Voice group spreading "whale death" lies - The Klaxon

The group that ran the "No" campaign against the Indigenous Voice in now at the heart of an anti-offshore wind disinformation network.

theklaxon.com.au

 

[Ticky009]

For those that held out hope Sky News was going to disappear after the sale of Fox - the answer is sadly no.

What does the future hold for Sky News Australia after Foxtel’s sale?

Foxtel has gone from the hands of one billionaire to another. So what happens to Rupert Murdoch's safe space, Sky News?

www.crikey.com.au

 

[caesar88]

It's so telling that right-wingers see privilege & material wealth as a disqualification for morality & compassion.

They literally tell on themselves.

 

[.Shotties.]

It's so telling that right-wingers see privilege & material wealth as a disqualification for morality & compassion.

They literally tell on themselves.

Good God, her profile. It's a thing of beauty how right wingers have turned the concept of free thought and expression into a dog whistle for the lowest common denominator.

 

[bedford]

It's so telling that right-wingers see privilege & material wealth as a disqualification for morality & compassion.

They literally tell on themselves.

I hate seeing that flag

 

[Mister B]

I hate seeing that flag

Considering shutting down my X account. Got it for sports updates but **** me, I feel myself getting dumber reading some of the crap that comes from flogs over in America. Seriously, their education system must be ****ed.

 

[Ticky009]

Dutton going for 'diversity' straight out of the Donald playbook.

Peter Dutton’s push to axe DEI public service positions ‘straight from the Donald Trump playbook’

Public sector union criticises opposition leader’s ‘lack of understanding of modern workplaces’

www.theguardian.com

 

[.Shotties.]

Dutton going for 'diversity' straight out of the Donald playbook.

Peter Dutton’s push to axe DEI public service positions ‘straight from the Donald Trump playbook’

Public sector union criticises opposition leader’s ‘lack of understanding of modern workplaces’

www.theguardian.com

One thing about all this is that people who loudly proclaim that they're not racist are railing against DEI and making it very clear that they think that anyone in a position of power who isn't a white male is incompetent and hired only for their gender or face.

 

[Ticky009]

One thing about all this is that people who loudly proclaim that they're not racist are railing against DEI and making it very clear that they think that anyone in a position of power who isn't a white male is incompetent and hired only for their gender or face.

I recall being knocked back for a job because I was female and would surely be married and pregnant in a few years. Like, it was literally said to my face. Diversity covers a lot of things left unsaid by the LNP.

Never mind the fact diverse workforces are actually more profitable, more productive etc because the talent pool is increased.

 

[caesar88]

Right-wingers complaining that DEI means opportunities aren't given based on merit, but on identity.

Like many of them aren't the greatest benefactors of generational wealth simply by being the products of white millionaire & billionaire parents.

They are just pigs.

 

[hairy biker]

I recall being knocked back for a job because I was female and would surely be married and pregnant in a few years. Like, it was literally said to my face.

Typical leftie female (well of course unless you are now that new third sex).

Utterly pointless employing women.
Every month they have their tantrum and every few years go off and have babies and some actually expect to be paid when they are off enjoying themselves having those babies.

In more enlightened times the forerunner of Melbourne Water (the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works) had the right idea.
Up until at least the mid 1970s once a female employee married (back in the day when there was quite rightfully just the two sexes) they had to resign and re-apply for their job.

I can assure you when true Australians like Peter Dutton, Sussan Ley, Michaelia Cash and myself, Nathan Poe, sweep back to office there will be changes.

Firstly Cash and Ley will be sacked and they'll get back to providing a proper supportive family environment for their husbands.

Mind you I have concerns about that Dutton fellow as well. On his second marriage, had a child out of wedlock, not at all sure he embodies proper Liberal values. Although that whole child out of wedlock worked OK for Tony, so there is that.
And to be fair, true to to his 21st century Conservative roots Peter does hate just about everyone (not you Gina, honestly not you , or you Rupert or you the lovely Lachlan or any other major party donors).

And finally when we rule again that Price person will be sent back to whatever desert place she comes from.
Bloody aborigines with their flag and welcome to country trying to divide Australia.

Like many of them aren't the greatest benefactors of generational wealth simply by being the products of white millionaire & billionaire parents.

More ignorant socialist claptrap.

Take someone such as Lachlan Murdoch.
All this crap about being born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Well let me tell you Lachlan worked bloody hard to get to where he is today.

Started off in the loading bay, tossing newspapers onto trucks, then a junior in the mail-sorting room and finally, through sheer hard work, endeavour, determination, willpower and an endearing personality, 3 weeks later, became Deputy Chairman of NewsCorp.

And let me tell you such a rise can be achievable, if you employ those factors mentioned above.

One only needs to view the documentary regarding J. Pierrepont Finch who rose from window cleaner to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company.

And finally brings a tear to the eye.
Those indeed were the days;

 

[caesar88]

Typical leftie female (well of course unless you are now that new third sex).

Utterly pointless employing women.
Every month they have their tantrum and every few years go off and have babies and some actually expect to be paid when they are off enjoying themselves having those babies.

In more enlightened times the forerunner of Melbourne Water (the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works) had the right idea.
Up until at least the mid 1970s once a female employee married (back in the day when there was quite rightfully just the two sexes) they had to resign and re-apply for their job.

I can assure you when true Australians like Peter Dutton, Sussan Ley, Michaelia Cash and myself, Nathan Poe, sweep back to office there will be changes.

Firstly Cash and Ley will be sacked and they'll get back to providing a proper supportive family environment for their husbands.

Mind you I have concerns about that Dutton fellow as well. On his second marriage, had a child out of wedlock, not at all sure he embodies proper Liberal values. Although that whole child out of wedlock worked OK for Tony, so there is that.
And to be fair, true to to his 21st century Conservative roots Peter does hate just about everyone (not you Gina, honestly not you , or you Rupert or you the lovely Lachlan or any other major party donors).

And finally when we rule again that Price person will be sent back to whatever desert place she comes from.
Bloody aborigines with their flag and welcome to country trying to divide Australia.


More ignorant socialist claptrap.

Take someone such as Lachlan Murdoch.
All this crap about being born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Well let me tell you Lachlan worked bloody hard to get to where he is today.

Started off in the loading bay, tossing newspapers onto trucks, then a junior in the mail-sorting room and finally, through sheer hard work, endeavour, determination, willpower and an endearing personality, 3 weeks later, became Deputy Chairman of NewsCorp.

And let me tell you such a rise can be achievable, if you employ those factors mentioned above.

One only needs to view the documentary regarding J. Pierrepont Finch who rose from window cleaner to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company.

And finally brings a tear to the eye.
Those indeed were the days;

 

[caesar88]

Typical leftie female (well of course unless you are now that new third sex).

Utterly pointless employing women.
Every month they have their tantrum and every few years go off and have babies and some actually expect to be paid when they are off enjoying themselves having those babies.

In more enlightened times the forerunner of Melbourne Water (the Melbourne and Metropolitan Board of Works) had the right idea.
Up until at least the mid 1970s once a female employee married (back in the day when there was quite rightfully just the two sexes) they had to resign and re-apply for their job.

I can assure you when true Australians like Peter Dutton, Sussan Ley, Michaelia Cash and myself, Nathan Poe, sweep back to office there will be changes.

Firstly Cash and Ley will be sacked and they'll get back to providing a proper supportive family environment for their husbands.

Mind you I have concerns about that Dutton fellow as well. On his second marriage, had a child out of wedlock, not at all sure he embodies proper Liberal values. Although that whole child out of wedlock worked OK for Tony, so there is that.
And to be fair, true to to his 21st century Conservative roots Peter does hate just about everyone (not you Gina, honestly not you , or you Rupert or you the lovely Lachlan or any other major party donors).

And finally when we rule again that Price person will be sent back to whatever desert place she comes from.
Bloody aborigines with their flag and welcome to country trying to divide Australia.


More ignorant socialist claptrap.

Take someone such as Lachlan Murdoch.
All this crap about being born with a silver spoon in his mouth.

Well let me tell you Lachlan worked bloody hard to get to where he is today.

Started off in the loading bay, tossing newspapers onto trucks, then a junior in the mail-sorting room and finally, through sheer hard work, endeavour, determination, willpower and an endearing personality, 3 weeks later, became Deputy Chairman of NewsCorp.

And let me tell you such a rise can be achievable, if you employ those factors mentioned above.

One only needs to view the documentary regarding J. Pierrepont Finch who rose from window cleaner to chairman of the board of the World Wide Wicket Company.

And finally brings a tear to the eye.
Those indeed were the days;

Reminds me of a yarn about the British billionaire Lord Alan Sugar as told by Kerry O'Keeffe:

When asked how he made his money, he said, "I started as a young bloke buying car aerials for a pound, and selling them for a pound twenty. Then I bought more aerials, sold them. Bought more, sold them... And then my uncle died and left me five hundred million pounds."

 

[Ticky009]

Oh well here you go peeps. The Libs now think compulsory service is the way to go.. So much for small government they're constantly advocating. I'd hardly call this staying out of the way.

Liberal Party Vice President Teena McQueen says conscription for school leavers is an “excellent idea”.

“They can perhaps learn to love and appreciate their country by doing that,” Ms McQueen told Sky News host Jenna Clarke.

“I’d look at compulsory service of some sort after school.”

https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/conscription-for-school-leavers-is-an-excellent-idea/video/5bf4cd669c244c2be3687d5ec2b89c7f

 

[Ticky009]

And as we stumble our way into an election year check the

https://www.aec.gov.au/About_AEC/files/eiat/election-security-environment-overview.pdf

 

[hairy biker]

Oh well here you go peeps. The Libs now think compulsory service is the way to go.. So much for small government they're constantly advocating. I'd hardly call this staying out of the way.

Liberal Party Vice President Teena McQueen says conscription for school leavers is an “excellent idea”.

“They can perhaps learn to love and appreciate their country by doing that,” Ms McQueen told Sky News host Jenna Clarke.

“I’d look at compulsory service of some sort after school.”

https://www.skynews.com.au/opinion/conscription-for-school-leavers-is-an-excellent-idea/video/5bf4cd669c244c2be3687d5ec2b89c7f

To be fair she is longer a Liberal Party VP.
To show how toxic she was, moderates and conservatives actually combined to toss her off the Party's executive.

How toxic you ask?
At the time of the Brittany Higgins saga she queried why there wasn't more focus on women getting drunk at work and 'joked' how she (McQueen) would kill to be sexually harassed.

Her defence of Alan Jones late in 2024, when he was charged with historical sex offences, declaring they were absolute bullshit.

And believe it or not happy that the 'Teals' swept the Libs, as it meant all those 'lefties' in the Liberal party were gone.
This from a person previously heavily involved in the campaign for Tony Abbott in his Warringah electorate as he was trounced by Zali Steggall.
Again to be fair I don't think she considered Tone a leftie.

However perhaps most infamous for an appearance on the ABC's Q&A program where she turned herself inside out commentating on the Christchurch attack and free/hate speech.
Somehow she decided that then Greens leader Richard Di Natale was apparently inciting violence by condemning the attack.

So where is she now?
Well naturally a regular Skynews contributor and guess who popped up at Mar-a-lago on the night of Trump's 2024 election win?


So yep on Gina's payroll and possibly Gina's new BFF.
But still knows her place, referring to Gina as Mrs Rinehart.
One needs to know one's place and not overstep the mark.

 

[bedford]

One thing to remember about Dutton is that he backed George Pell
Interestingly there has been a payout to two victims of Pell and the Murdoch trash give it not 1 line

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

My first vote in an election was for Gough Whitlam who was the architect of modern Australia. If Dutton is elected, for someone of my age, it will be like a return to the Dark Ages. No vision, no imagination, no compassion and no hope for the future. Affects me physically when I think of it.

Dutton is so cynical and dishonest I think it’s really important he gets a thumping in the election, to send a message that we Australians expect a basic level of decency from leadership candidates.

I believe it’s not impossible he could lose his own seat according to some calculations, and to me that would be a really positive outcome for our nation.

 

[Voula]

One thing to remember about Dutton is that he backed George Pell
Interestingly there has been a payout to two victims of Pell and the Murdoch trash give it not 1 line

Yep the Murdoch "reporting" is a disgrace. I occasionally buy the Herald Sun and the day after Dutton announced his Nuclear energy policy, there was not even 1 article about it. They knew how shit the policy is and didn't want to report on it.

 

[Voula]

Dutton is so cynical and dishonest I think it’s really important he gets a thumping in the election, to send a message that we Australians expect a basic level of decency from leadership candidates.

I believe it’s not impossible he could lose his own seat according to some calculations, and to me that would be a really positive outcome for our nation.

I'm concerned that voters will support him. Look what happened in the US. They knew what they were going to get but they still voted for Trump and look at what he's doing to the country.

People aren't happy with the cost of living and they think Dutton will fix it.

 

[hairy biker]

Dutton is so cynical and dishonest I think it’s really important he gets a thumping in the election, to send a message that we Australians expect a basic level of decency from leadership candidates.

OK I don't normally post in the SRP thread (although I've managed to do it 3 times in the last day ),but I do fear for both the present and future (and ain't much happening in the football World).

Apologies for this very lengthy post, but sadly SBD Gonzalez I'm not sure the highlighted bit is actually true anymore.

Politics has reached a new low across the World.
The Trump effect if you will.
Common courtesy, common decency, concern for others are now, far too often,seen as a weakness.

The right from Italy to Hungary to Argentina is marching to victory.
Nationalism is dominant, co-operation,working together for the common good is similarly viewed as weakness.

And I think it's a trend that is infiltrating this country.
As I'm sure people know, in December of last year Australia, at the UN, voted with 157 other countries for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza and for a UN relief agency to be permitted once again to be allowed to operate in Gaza to deliver aid.
9 countries voted against the resolution.

Spoiler: The voting record for that resolution;

Netanyahu unsurprisingly attempted to tie in Australia's vote with antisemitism, a view shared by the self-appointed
Israeli Deputy PM, Peter Dutton, who also considered the vote an attempt by Labor, to safeguard the Muslim vote and win inner-city seats from the Greens.
The thought it might actually be the proper thing to do would obviously not align with Dutton's World view.

Netanyahu of course doubled down saying “Thankfully, our key allies support Israel as we strive for true peace and security”.
So based on the voting for the resolution Israel's key allies are Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Nauru, PNG, Paraguay, Tonga and the USA.

It was back in 2005 that Angela Merkel, first stated "The secure existence of Israel is in Germany’s national interest and is therefore an element of our reason of state."

Germany voted with Australia.

So apologies for the digression but Netanyahu's linking of Australia's vote to antisemitism and Dutton's home soil politicisation of the vote are just two indicators that in many ways s/he who yells loudest,seeks to blame others for a country's woes and offers no solutions but rather bellicose and belligerent discourse are bizarrely seen as 'leaders'.

I guess I also went on this diatribe/stream of consciousness nudged on by recent events in the USA;

Trump's win
his claim again on election night that he won the 2020 election
the embarrassing naming of unqualified loyalists to key Government posts
withdrawal from the WHO and other international bodies
the enemies list and the petty vindictiveness towards people such as Fauci, Milley and many many others
the Jan 6 pardons
the clearly unconstitutional executive order banning 'birthright citizenship' (mind US Supreme Court and all that)
the ridiculous renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and his pursuit of the Panama Canal and Greenland ( jingoism is a vote winner)
his inability to understand the most basic of concepts,from tariffs to the value of international co-operation (after all if he isn't seen to win, what's the point?)
of course as lives were lost, homes and livelihoods destroyed as fires burned out of control across Los Angeles, Trump called on 'Newscum' (California Gov Newsom) to "open up the water main"so naturally
the shameful linking of DEI to the tragic helicopter/plane crash in Washington DC really is no surprise

Sociopath rules.


And to be honest Dutton is following much of that template.
He'll eliminate wokeness, make Australia respected on the International stage (well in Israel anyway) and ensure that we'll all live happily ever after, well unless you are poor, on benefits, transgender, a Green voter and remind those bloody trouble-making aborigines that if it wasn't for Captain Cook they wouldn't know what a TV was. And don't mention abortion prior to the election. We'll sort it out later.
And if you are well off and live in the inner suburbs and vote for an independent, a teal or a Green you are clearly a traitor to the cause.

Of course whether it's Trump or Dutton they need enablers and need to be met head on by people of integrity.

Since Trump won the 2024 election the US ABC network has paid him US$15 million to settle what was generally seen as a spurious defamation suit. Meta will pay Trump $25 million for his 2021 banning from their platform and Amazon will pay $40 million to license a Melania Trump documentary for which she will be Executive Producer.

Of course tech companies fell over themselves to donate to Trump's inauguration.
Meta, Amazon, Open AI, Google, Microsoft all tossed in $1 million (I know petty cash, but still).
Bizarrely Elon and X appear not to have donated.
I guess too busy running the country.

At least here in Australia we won't have to worry about unbiased media.
Newscorp has that sorted.
And no doubt Dutton will ensure the ABC will also be 'sorted' if he wins.

Just by the by the Biden inauguration raised US$63 million , Trump's $170 million.
Obama raised $53 mill in his first term, Trump $107mill in his.
There is no legal requirement to account for any surplus monies, not actually spent on the inauguration.
Integrity be damned.

Interestingly two women in the USA with pretty much diametrically opposed political views give me hope.
Michelle Obama refused to attend Jimmy Carter's funeral because of her hatred of Trump (protocol dictated that the Obamas would be sat next to theTrumps).
And Mike Pence's wife, Karen, studiously avoided the Trumps, when they approached her husband.

I'm sure both considered President Carter a fine man, but they weren't prepared to go through a charade.

So, if you are still with me, I think it's apparent the World has changed and maybe sometimes, unfortunately,you need to put aside that 'old-fashioned' courtesy, decency and for the good of the country fight fire with fire and yes get down and dirty to match Dutton.
I really doubt, so close to the election, that taking the high road will get the job done,

Biden sleepwalked his way to a loss, Albanese is not far off.

Call out the Duttons of this World, otherwise he will the next PM, because sadly SBD Gonzalez I don't share your confidence that 'we Australians expect a basic level of decency from leadership candidates.' is still the case.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

Keep an eye on Advance as we move towards the next election. If you want a bit of an understanding of what they're about and the tripe they peddle for the billionaires who fund it - check out this article.

Anti-Voice group spreading "whale death" lies - The Klaxon

The group that ran the "No" campaign against the Indigenous Voice in now at the heart of an anti-offshore wind disinformation network.

theklaxon.com.au

So effing shameless.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

I'm concerned that voters will support him. Look what happened in the US. They knew what they were going to get but they still voted for Trump and look at what he's doing to the country.

People aren't happy with the cost of living and they think Dutton will fix it.

Yes me too. He’s shameless and I’m worried people will fall for it, which is why I say I think it’s really important he gets a thumping, to send a message that we Australians are far better than the contemptuous view he has of us.

 

[SBD Gonzalez]

OK I don't normally post in the SRP thread (although I've managed to do it 3 times in the last day ),but I do fear for both the present and future (and ain't much happening in the football World).

Apologies for this very lengthy post, but sadly SBD Gonzalez I'm not sure the highlighted bit is actually true anymore.

Politics has reached a new low across the World.
The Trump effect if you will.
Common courtesy, common decency, concern for others are now, far too often,seen as a weakness.

The right from Italy to Hungary to Argentina is marching to victory.
Nationalism is dominant, co-operation,working together for the common good is similarly viewed as weakness.

And I think it's a trend that is infiltrating this country.
As I'm sure people know, in December of last year Australia, at the UN, voted with 157 other countries for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza and for a UN relief agency to be permitted once again to be allowed to operate in Gaza to deliver aid.
9 countries voted against the resolution.

Spoiler: The voting record for that resolution;

View attachment 2216339

Netanyahu unsurprisingly attempted to tie in Australia's vote with antisemitism, a view shared by the self-appointed
Israeli Deputy PM, Peter Dutton, who also considered the vote an attempt by Labor, to safeguard the Muslim vote and win inner-city seats from the Greens.
The thought it might actually be the proper thing to do would obviously not align with Dutton's World view.

Netanyahu of course doubled down saying “Thankfully, our key allies support Israel as we strive for true peace and security”.
So based on the voting for the resolution Israel's key allies are Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Nauru, PNG, Paraguay, Tonga and the USA.

It was back in 2005 that Angela Merkel, first stated "The secure existence of Israel is in Germany’s national interest and is therefore an element of our reason of state."

Germany voted with Australia.

So apologies for the digression but Netanyahu's linking of Australia's vote to antisemitism and Dutton's home soil politicisation of the vote are just two indicators that in many ways s/he who yells loudest,seeks to blame others for a country's woes and offers no solutions but rather bellicose and belligerent discourse are bizarrely seen as 'leaders'.

I guess I also went on this diatribe/stream of consciousness nudged on by recent events in the USA;

Trump's win
his claim again on election night that he won the 2020 election
the embarrassing naming of unqualified loyalists to key Government posts
withdrawal from the WHO and other international bodies
the enemies list and the petty vindictiveness towards people such as Fauci, Milley and many many others
the Jan 6 pardons
the clearly unconstitutional executive order banning 'birthright citizenship' (mind US Supreme Court and all that)
the ridiculous renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and his pursuit of the Panama Canal and Greenland ( jingoism is a vote winner)
his inability to understand the most basic of concepts,from tariffs to the value of international co-operation (after all if he isn't seen to win, what's the point?)
of course as lives were lost, homes and livelihoods destroyed as fires burned out of control across Los Angeles, Trump called on 'Newscum' (California Gov Newsom) to "open up the water main"so naturally
the shameful linking of DEI to the tragic helicopter/plane crash in Washington DC really is no surprise

Sociopath rules.


And to be honest Dutton is following much of that template.
He'll eliminate wokeness, make Australia respected on the International stage (well in Israel anyway) and ensure that we'll all live happily ever after, well unless you are poor, on benefits, transgender, a Green voter and remind those bloody trouble-making aborigines that if it wasn't for Captain Cook they wouldn't know what a TV was. And don't mention abortion prior to the election. We'll sort it out later.
And if you are well off and live in the inner suburbs and vote for an independent, a teal or a Green you are clearly a traitor to the cause.

Of course whether it's Trump or Dutton they need enablers and need to be met head on by people of integrity.

Since Trump won the 2024 election the US ABC network has paid him US$15 million to settle what was generally seen as a spurious defamation suit. Meta will pay Trump $25 million for his 2021 banning from their platform and Amazon will pay $40 million to license a Melania Trump documentary for which she will be Executive Producer.

Of course tech companies fell over themselves to donate to Trump's inauguration.
Meta, Amazon, Open AI, Google, Microsoft all tossed in $1 million (I know petty cash, but still).
Bizarrely Elon and X appear not to have donated.
I guess too busy running the country.

At least here in Australia we won't have to worry about unbiased media.
Newscorp has that sorted.
And no doubt Dutton will ensure the ABC will also be 'sorted' if he wins.

Just by the by the Biden inauguration raised US$63 million , Trump's $170 million.
Obama raised $53 mill in his first term, Trump $107mill in his.
There is no legal requirement to account for any surplus monies, not actually spent on the inauguration.
Integrity be damned.

Interestingly two women in the USA with pretty much diametrically opposed political views give me hope.
Michelle Obama refused to attend Jimmy Carter's funeral because of her hatred of Trump (protocol dictated that the Obamas would be sat next to theTrumps).
And Mike Pence's wife, Karen, studiously avoided the Trumps, when they approached her husband.

I'm sure both considered President Carter a fine man, but they weren't prepared to go through a charade.

So, if you are still with me, I think it's apparent the World has changed and maybe sometimes, unfortunately,you need to put aside that 'old-fashioned' courtesy, decency and for the good of the country fight fire with fire and yes get down and dirty to match Dutton.
I really doubt, so close to the election, that taking the high road will get the job done,

Biden sleepwalked his way to a loss, Albanese is not far off.

Call out the Duttons of this World, otherwise he will the next PM, because sadly SBD Gonzalez I don't share your confidence that 'we Australians expect a basic level of decency from leadership candidates.' is still the case.

Great post. Thank you.

My response to it is the same as to Voula above.

 

[bedford]

OK I don't normally post in the SRP thread (although I've managed to do it 3 times in the last day ),but I do fear for both the present and future (and ain't much happening in the football World).

Apologies for this very lengthy post, but sadly SBD Gonzalez I'm not sure the highlighted bit is actually true anymore.

Politics has reached a new low across the World.
The Trump effect if you will.
Common courtesy, common decency, concern for others are now, far too often,seen as a weakness.

The right from Italy to Hungary to Argentina is marching to victory.
Nationalism is dominant, co-operation,working together for the common good is similarly viewed as weakness.

And I think it's a trend that is infiltrating this country.
As I'm sure people know, in December of last year Australia, at the UN, voted with 157 other countries for an "immediate, unconditional and permanent ceasefire" in Gaza and for a UN relief agency to be permitted once again to be allowed to operate in Gaza to deliver aid.
9 countries voted against the resolution.

Spoiler: The voting record for that resolution;

View attachment 2216339

Netanyahu unsurprisingly attempted to tie in Australia's vote with antisemitism, a view shared by the self-appointed
Israeli Deputy PM, Peter Dutton, who also considered the vote an attempt by Labor, to safeguard the Muslim vote and win inner-city seats from the Greens.
The thought it might actually be the proper thing to do would obviously not align with Dutton's World view.

Netanyahu of course doubled down saying “Thankfully, our key allies support Israel as we strive for true peace and security”.
So based on the voting for the resolution Israel's key allies are Argentina, Czechia, Hungary, Nauru, PNG, Paraguay, Tonga and the USA.

It was back in 2005 that Angela Merkel, first stated "The secure existence of Israel is in Germany’s national interest and is therefore an element of our reason of state."

Germany voted with Australia.

So apologies for the digression but Netanyahu's linking of Australia's vote to antisemitism and Dutton's home soil politicisation of the vote are just two indicators that in many ways s/he who yells loudest,seeks to blame others for a country's woes and offers no solutions but rather bellicose and belligerent discourse are bizarrely seen as 'leaders'.

I guess I also went on this diatribe/stream of consciousness nudged on by recent events in the USA;

Trump's win
his claim again on election night that he won the 2020 election
the embarrassing naming of unqualified loyalists to key Government posts
withdrawal from the WHO and other international bodies
the enemies list and the petty vindictiveness towards people such as Fauci, Milley and many many others
the Jan 6 pardons
the clearly unconstitutional executive order banning 'birthright citizenship' (mind US Supreme Court and all that)
the ridiculous renaming of the Gulf of Mexico and his pursuit of the Panama Canal and Greenland ( jingoism is a vote winner)
his inability to understand the most basic of concepts,from tariffs to the value of international co-operation (after all if he isn't seen to win, what's the point?)
of course as lives were lost, homes and livelihoods destroyed as fires burned out of control across Los Angeles, Trump called on 'Newscum' (California Gov Newsom) to "open up the water main"so naturally
the shameful linking of DEI to the tragic helicopter/plane crash in Washington DC really is no surprise

Sociopath rules.


And to be honest Dutton is following much of that template.
He'll eliminate wokeness, make Australia respected on the International stage (well in Israel anyway) and ensure that we'll all live happily ever after, well unless you are poor, on benefits, transgender, a Green voter and remind those bloody trouble-making aborigines that if it wasn't for Captain Cook they wouldn't know what a TV was. And don't mention abortion prior to the election. We'll sort it out later.
And if you are well off and live in the inner suburbs and vote for an independent, a teal or a Green you are clearly a traitor to the cause.

Of course whether it's Trump or Dutton they need enablers and need to be met head on by people of integrity.

Since Trump won the 2024 election the US ABC network has paid him US$15 million to settle what was generally seen as a spurious defamation suit. Meta will pay Trump $25 million for his 2021 banning from their platform and Amazon will pay $40 million to license a Melania Trump documentary for which she will be Executive Producer.

Of course tech companies fell over themselves to donate to Trump's inauguration.
Meta, Amazon, Open AI, Google, Microsoft all tossed in $1 million (I know petty cash, but still).
Bizarrely Elon and X appear not to have donated.
I guess too busy running the country.

At least here in Australia we won't have to worry about unbiased media.
Newscorp has that sorted.
And no doubt Dutton will ensure the ABC will also be 'sorted' if he wins.

Just by the by the Biden inauguration raised US$63 million , Trump's $170 million.
Obama raised $53 mill in his first term, Trump $107mill in his.
There is no legal requirement to account for any surplus monies, not actually spent on the inauguration.
Integrity be damned.

Interestingly two women in the USA with pretty much diametrically opposed political views give me hope.
Michelle Obama refused to attend Jimmy Carter's funeral because of her hatred of Trump (protocol dictated that the Obamas would be sat next to theTrumps).
And Mike Pence's wife, Karen, studiously avoided the Trumps, when they approached her husband.

I'm sure both considered President Carter a fine man, but they weren't prepared to go through a charade.

So, if you are still with me, I think it's apparent the World has changed and maybe sometimes, unfortunately,you need to put aside that 'old-fashioned' courtesy, decency and for the good of the country fight fire with fire and yes get down and dirty to match Dutton.
I really doubt, so close to the election, that taking the high road will get the job done,

Biden sleepwalked his way to a loss, Albanese is not far off.

Call out the Duttons of this World, otherwise he will the next PM, because sadly SBD Gonzalez I don't share your confidence that 'we Australians expect a basic level of decency from leadership candidates.' is still the case.

That's a lot to write at 2 am HB good read though .
I hate both sides in the Middle East and have for years , just live peacefully or blow each other up and don't need they're shit demonstrations' here and there's another one today in Melbourne . Just F off over to Palestine with your sooking .