A Lockheed missile blows up a bus full of Yemeni children; in Australia Lockheed Martin gains kudos by sponsoring the National Youth Science Forum. BAE Systems sponsors underprivileged kids in Australia while being complicit in the killing of thousands of needy children in Yemen. All you see in industry marketing pitches is euphemism, with nary a mention of the word “weapons”. Michelle Fahy reports.

 What to do about Trump's crimes 

Donald Trump's time as President has seen its share of controversy and criminal activity, with mayhem ensuing through the transition process.

President Donald Trump falsely claiming victory on election night 2020 (Image: AP Photo/Evan Vucci) 

Australia’s democracy is in good shape too. The success of the national cabinet process — which saw cooperation between the conservative federal and mostly Labor state governments — in orchestrating Australia’s effective response to COVID-19 is only the latest example of how effectively our system works. And while contempt for political leaders among Australians is high, so is our appreciation of the freedoms our democracy delivers. According to the 2019 Freedom in the World report, Australia ranks sixth of 86 independent nations that display the qualities of a liberal democracy.

Both Sides Now: Trump destroyed American democracy and Australia is next. Or is it?

 

(Image: EPA/Jim Lo Scalzo)

Homers may have shunned masks because Trump told them too. But if Marges wear them, Homers can too. Homers may parrot “hoax” and “fake news” but if Marges pay attention to facts and science, Homers can be convinced to do the same. Homers may back the blue, but if Marges can weep for George Floyd, Homers can understand that recognising black lives matter is simple human decency.

Marge might also help Homer realise that many who claim to represent him are frauds. Those who he has been listening to — Sean Hannity, Tucker Carlson and Rush Limbaugh — make more money in a day than Homers make in a year. These Sideshow Bobs are the true elites. Do Rupert Murdoch and his fellow Mr Burns billionaires give a damn about Homers? When was the last time a Homer was spotted at Mar-a-Lago?

Still, most Homers will continue to vote Republican. That’s who they are. But they are not immoral and they have not been lost to Trump’s cult. They backed Trump because he was their candidate. Now the Trump show has been canceled. Sooner or later the repeats will fade away. And the Homers will move on.

Many Homers don’t know it yet, but Joe Biden cares more about them than Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell and Ted Cruz ever will.

Some have figured this out already. In time it might dawn on the rest. And when that day comes, they may quote their cartoon namesake: “D’oh!”

Homer heartland: why 73 million voters stuck with Trump

 Fake News

KEVIN RUDD CALLS ME ‘SEXIST’? WHAT A HYPOCRITE

Kevin Rudd's rants against News Corp continue: "Murdoch’s Bolt going for the double...: rancid sexism and climate denial. In his world, Boris Johnson’s positive climate policies can only be explained by a nefarious woman..."  His mischaracterisation is one thing. His hypocrisy is another. See, I recall what Rudd whispered to me about Julia Gillard.

 One wonders why Bolt deleted this blog? Why even he thought it was unsuitable? Did reason overcome him and make him feel vulnerable?

 This isn't about Rudd it all about me me me Andrew Bolt and yet another opportunity to say "I'm here and put me on Center Stage" It's also about when somebody calls Bolt a rancid sexist and climate denier Bolt's only response is the typical school boy one. " No you're the sexist and.. not me". 

Did Rudd mischaracterise Andrew Bolt? Well for a start Bolt works for a billionaire climate denier whose son James walked out on him for that very reason because dad places greater importance on profit than the planet. Bolt doesn't just work for Rupert Murdoch more than anyone at Sky and the Herald Sun he's been his servant. Who else would call their first born James as his master has?

As for being sexist Bolt has a history full of  it from his wife Sally the dependent who weighs him down the only breadwinner to those women he calls "fright bats" and loves to mock. Then there's Yassmin Abdel-Magied who he helped run out of the country. He's tried to shove his otherwise team mate Miranda Devine aside because she was a woman but bit off more than he could chew and denied the existense of his ex fiance why? His excuse a woman his wife who  he was "protecting" because she was too fragile and he was Gallahad.

This isn't about who or what Rudd is or Rudd isn't. Whether he's in denial or being a hypocrite it's about Bolt being what he claims he isn't but says Rudd is by putting the focus on himself and claiming he is the victim.

DON’T THANK GANGSTER IRAN FOR FREEING KYLIE MOORE-GILBERT

Academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert has been freed at last by Iran. But don't thank these fascist gangsters. They jailed an innocent woman for two years on fake charges she was a spy, and have freed her only in exchange for three suspected terrorists. Yes, Australia has rewarded hostage diplomacy.

We don't know what happened to Kylie and nor does Andrew Bolt. It just an opportunity to say he does and an opportunity to denigrate Iran. It seems Kylie doesn't have the same appetite for dragging Iran down as Bolt does.  Again it's Bolt with a platform putting himself forward in front of Moore-Gilbert and  saying that he and News Corp have the REAL news without bothering to wait for the facts to evolve.

For instance was Kylie in the wrong place at the wrong time? What and who was the man with whom she had a relationship? Was he the primary target of the Iranian government? As for being a "gangster government" Bolt should turn to the assassin squads of Israel and the US even self examine why Australia imprisons people for decades for little more than coming here by boat and asking for asylum. No Bolt needs to fill the 24/7 news cycle with propaganda first just fill it right or wrong is of no account. Any real evidence is inconsequential even dangerous as it might put Iran in a softer light. Simply call those we don't like "Gangsters" and get in first.