Grateful to my parents, who encouraged critical thinking & insisted discussions be based on facts & evidence.
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Australia had strict protocols, including mandatory masking, social distancing & targeted lockdowns during 2020/21. Case numbers & deaths were exponentially lower per capita. Once population achieved 90% vax rate, we relaxed protocols. Cases rose while death rate remained low. Covid vax saved lives.
Vaccines save lives, they don't cause autism. Autism saves lives as many research scientists & engineers are on the spectrum. Those with autism have made a positive contribution to society unlike Trump, RFK jr & Trump's administration.
I would suggest that tax cuts for companies & billionaires have a greater detrimental impact on funding the military than removing tariffs.
Sydney Harbour Bridge & Opera House from Blues Point, my favourite vantage point.
His tariffs are illegal. 'With the help of the US Supreme Court' is an admission SC is a tool to advance Trump's agenda & does not respect the law. Some countries, including Australia, had trade deficits with US. Trump breached a trade agreement with Australia by imposing a tariff.
Those of us in countries with strict gun control laws are in awe at the lengths US goes to defend gun rights over the safety of citizens. While we have mental health issues, & access to violent video games, our gun deaths are exponentially lower due to sensible gun laws. It is the guns!!!
If he was still alive, my grandfather would be as horrified as other family members (OBGYN, Ophthalmologist, 2 GPs, multiple nurses, & one with Honours in Epidemiology & undertaking PhD in medical research) at the undermining of medical science & expertise. Science, expertise & ethics valued by all.
During COVID lockdowns I read The Doctors Mayo, a book given to my grandfather (an Ophthalmologist). The book chronicles the lives of Doctors Mayo & changes in medical care from late 19th century until 1940's. Vaccines, antibiotics, anaesthetics & other medical advances saved millions of lives.
Australia Post has also suspended deliveries to US.
Wonder what Trump's brokerage fee was for this deal.
It will be immediately safer when he & his minions leave.
Even the Sunday Telegraph, a Murdoch paper here, referred to Trump's meeting with Putin as The Art of No Deal. Our journalists are bolder in addressing the truth.
I'm sitting in a cafe in Sydney, Aust. Trump is the topic of conversation at the 2 tables near me. Neither conversation is favourable towards Trump. I'm overhearing the words ignorant, criminal, tariffs, Epstein & Putin.
Only the delusional cultists believe these leaders came to Washington out of respect for Trump. They came to support Zelenski, whom they respect.
Joyce received huge bonuses while exploiting workers & passengers. He should be held financially responsible for his actions. Until CEOs & Board members are held personally accountable, they will continue to pursue personal gain at the expense of others.
The US provided a security guarantee when Ukraine gave up its nuclear weapons. This development is extortion.
Magnolias enjoying the perfect weather after days of rain.
Many Australians are more informed on the danger Trump is to habeas corpus & liberty of citizens than most US citizens. No matter its faults, our mainstream media predominately maintains their role is to keep the public informed through reporting facts.
Story on Australian ABC 4 Corners programme is how Trump has politicised & undermined rule of law, & how he is systematically removing any checks on Presidential power. USAid, Eric Adams, purging Inspectors General, his speech at his DOJ visit, & challenge to judicial power re deportation discussed.
Anyone who supports Trump, given all the evidence of his crimes & intent to install authoritarian rule, is blindly ignorant, a criminal, or both. History has recorded downfall of democracies & installation of authoritarian rule. Read it. This is the blueprint for Trump's actions.
Pence honoured his oath of office to uphold the Constitution. At least he, Liz Cheney & Adam Kinzinger maintained their integrity & did not give in to threats by Trump. Trump continues to extort & threaten others to support his criminal & authoritarian activities while he overturns the Constitution.
Many of Trump's fake electors were prosecuted & sought plea deals. Plea deals involve an admission of guilt. Again facts don't support your Trumo aligned narrative. www.citizensforethics.org/reports-inve...
This mules & mail-in ballot for citizens who don't exist was another Trump lie to steal the election. No evidence existed to support his claim, & he lost all court cases for lack of evidence. Despite this, ignorant fools still believe his lies.
Trump is incapable of sarcasm. Malignant narcissists are incapable of it. Trump was not being sarcastic when asking Russia's spies to find the emails. The comment was indicative of his links to Putin, with Kushner meeting with Russian ambassador to set up back channels for communication.
DOJ adhered to law, prosecuting Trump who committed fraud, committed illegal acts in an attempt to overthrow an election, & found evidence that he stole classified documents when he left office. Aust Police found evidence of his mob connections in 1980's & refused him a casino licence.
Trump declared he won in 2020, planned for alternate slate of electors, attempted to strong-arm election officials in swing states to alter votes, pressured Pence to reject certification of electors, directed DoJ to find fraud in election process where there was none, & incited J6. Facts matter.
The coup started with Trump calling on Russia 'to find Hilary's emails'. Trump called Georgia Sec of State to find him votes to overturn. When Raffensberger refuses, Trump instigated J6 to overturn the election. He stated at a rally 'if you vote for me you won't have to vote again.'
It certainly has been a coup - by Trump. Assassination attempt was a con. Weaponisation of government has been the goal of Trump & Project 2025. Trump is a conman, rapist & fraudster. His has employed incomptetent sycophants to run each dept & actively undermine all programs that benefit citizens.
This has been extensively investigated previously by bipartisan bodies. This is weaponisation of the DOJ to satisfy Trump's vengeance. Commonsense indicates there is no evidence other than disinformation that Trump fabricates. These actions are dangerously emulating actions of authoritarians.
100000 marched across Sydney Harbour Bridge on Sun, blocking the bridge for hours. Nil arrests. Our gov't respects people's anger over what is happening in Gaza Our PM and Governor General don't have a financial interest in removing Palestinians from Gaza though.
If Trump had appointed an ambassador to Aust, he would know this. He'd know we fight back against those who renege on deals. Fmr Aust PM Malcolm Turnbull, a Rhodes Scholar, fmr Barrister & Merchant Banker, provided a master class on dealing with bullies in his 1st phone call with Trump in 2017.
Australians do not share the same values as Trump's Administration. We value integrity & empathy, as evidenced by our culture of mateship. We honour agreements - we don't extort others. We support those less fortunate, believing they are entitled to education & healthcare.
Swimming not an option today.
From Australian 60 Minutes.
This is from Australian 60 Minutes. Australian journalists were able to investigate Epstein & broadcast his crimes. Why did American media fail the victims & fail to inform US citizens?
From warm & welcoming to cold, heartless & sterile. In Trump's defence, everything that comes into contact with him dies. Trump pre-empted the death of flowers & grass, removing them to avoid photos of a dying garden.
I read Democracy in Chains a number of years ago. It provided great insight into the motivation behind the economic & social policies of the current GOP. It was a warning about the future of the US. Pity more voters didn't read the book & heed the warning
Despite intense pressure from Jewish lobby groups, The Australian newspaper published articles by their correspondent, John Lyons, who was based in Jerusalem 2008-2014. His book, Balcony Over Jerusalem, provides insight into the plight of Palestinians in Jerusalem & West Bank.
Trump on pardoning Ghislaine Maxwell: "I'm allowed to do it"
My brother was IT Director at school providing education to kids who had multiple mental health issues including autism, ADHD, PTSD. Some were homeless. Vast majority of these kids secured jobs after completing school. With understanding & support, they became productive members of society.
The Australian gov't at the time followed Reagan's lead & shut down many psychiatric hospitals. Social Housing staff commented the former patient's no longer received the mental health care they required. They became the clients' of Social Housing, or note often, remained homeless.
Israeli extremists are blocking aid trucks headed to Gaza—and they’ve brought their children to help block lifesaving aid from reaching starving children in Gaza www.timesofisrael.com/liveblog_ent...
French President Emmanuel Macron announced that France will officially recognize Palestine as a state. A major blow to Israel and its US backers. #FreePalestine
A perfect winter's day.
The multiple responses condemning those who criticise RFK Jr. are indicative of this.
Sick children attending school can spread infectious diseases. It can also impact on their long term recovery. Same applies with adults attending work when sick. In US adults go to work when sick due to lack of paid sick leave. Other OECD countries respect their citizens & have legislated paid sick.
'proud to work with my friend'. Referring to an agency head as a friend in an official document is unusual.That in itself is telling. This is an Administration of sycophants, not respected colleagues.
The cruelty of this White House is matched by its immaturity. To have such a vengeful, immature brat as President is humiliating for the US. The rest of the world finds this horrifying pathetic.
PBS News is broadcast twice a day on one of the gov't free to air channels in Australia. It is also streamed on their free streaming service. Widely watched here for their calm, balanced broadcasting
This is brilliant.
This was to me by a friend in Canada She is Dead Inside Unconscionable Shamelessness Impudence
NEW: Inside Gaza’s ‘death traps’ via @FT GHF’s plan forces hungry Palestinians to trek miles to aid sites, often through the IDF’s active military areas. Hundreds have been killed and thousands injured. This is how… www.ft.com/content/6c74...
Trump has expressed outrage when IDF fired on a Catholic Church, however remains quiet when Israel fires on crowds seeking food. This is another clear indication that Muslim deaths mean nothing to Netanyahu & Trump.
At the first opportunity, the US needs to introduce an independent Electoral Commission based on the Australian model. The AEC controls all aspects of Federal, State & local gov't elections including voter rolls, setting electoral boundaries & location of voting stations. www.aec.gov.au
The Mercer & De Vos families are conservative ✝️ Erik Prince is Catholic, as are many of Trump's backers. Peter Theil was raised evangelical & considers himself ✝️. Marc Andreesen is backing New Founding to build a ✝️ enclave in Kentucky. It's not atheists who are satanic. Many conservative ✝️ are evil.
In Winston Churchill's book The Gathering Storm, he wrote "the appeasement of dictators always leads to war as they escalate their demands in response to concessions." The Supreme Court & Republicans in Congress should read this book to understand that their appeasement of Trump will destroy US.
Despite their desire to recruit these scientists & continue their research, many countries do not have the budgets to fund it. Much of the research will be delayed or lost. Lives lost will be directly attributed to RFK jr & Trump's hate of 'elites'.
I, an Australian, am a descendant of someone who fought in Union Army during the Civil War. By Vance's criteria, I have a greater claim to being American than Trump, whose ancestors never fought.
Canada's response: We are disappointed with the United State. You, President Trump, are in breach of NAFTA, which you negotiated & signed in 2020. As demonstrated by your current actions, we can't trust the US to honour agreements in future. Thank you for your attention to this matter.
European Court of Human Rights issued a landmark decision today on Russian violations in Ukraine war. With far-reaching implications for international justice, war crimes, human rights in armed conflict. I spoke with 2 top experts: @bechamilton.bsky.social and @tomdannenbaum.bsky.social Podcast🎙️
Trump has threatened Australia with 200% tariff on pharmaceuticals. This is due to Australia's Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme, which ensures medications are affordable to all. Except for one month in 2025, Australia has traditionally had a trade deficit with US.
And MAGA can't understand why tourists are abandoning US. Western democracies respect human rights. They are appalled with the threats, the cruelty & the abuse from Trump's administration. This situation is reminiscent of Prague Spring in 1968 & similar protests against oppressive regimes.
Remember when the Trump admin kept promising to release the Epstein files? No? We’ve got you. Watch this supercut. And make sure to subscribe to Zeteo for more: zeteo.com/subscribe
Warsaw Ghetto. Herding Palestinians into a small overcrowded area resulting in disease, starvation & death. This is genocide.
Other countries should not need to take Palestinians. Israel should be held accountable for genocide & forced to pay reparation to rebuild Gaza so Palestinians can remain on their (Palestinian) historical land.
This letter is embarrassing for the US. A professional public servant would not compose a letter in such a juvenile manner. Trump continuously exposes his ignorant, vindictive, & juvenile approach to the world.
That's why, compared to socialist democracies, US has: lower life expectancy, higher infant mortality rate, higher maternal mortality rates, lower education levels, lower social mobility, higher level of income inequality. Having too many billionaires does not benefit citizens.
Thoughts & prayers - Christian Nationalists' excuse for not taking action to protect others.
So, reason he didn't employ Musk's friend to head NASA was because he was a democrat. His role in Musk's companies was irrelevant until then. Under Trump's regime, a qualified Democrat is DEI hire but an unqualified MAGA is 'bestest' person for a role.
I've never understood Oprah's appeal. She promoted Dr Phil, Dr Oz & other unethical self promoters who prey on the vulnerable. She's promoted dangerous alternative medicine 'treatments'. She shamelessly attends any event for attention regardless of the ethics of those hosting the event. A hypocrite.
Australian media: Trump's bill delivered tax cuts to the rich by cutting healthcare & benefits to the underprivileged. Meanwhile, US media continues repeating Trump's lies regarding this bill.
The White House should be renamed the White Trailer. MAGA will be perfectly at home at the Trump Trailer Park.
Vaccines don't cause autism. Autism though can result in development of vaccines, medical breakthroughs & treatments. My nephew noted majority of Biomedical Scientists in his lab are on autism spectrum. Those on the autism spectrum have contributed more to the betterment of society than antivaxxers
He was fortunate that his editor was able to withstand the Jewish lobby's coercion & continued to publish his reports. 10 years later, John Lyons is reporting the current atrocities, now as Foreign Correpondent from Australian ABC network.
John Lyons, an Australian journalist, noted in his book Balcony Over Jerusalem, the Jewish Lobby pressured him & his editor to refrain from reporting the atrocities committed by Israelis against Palestinians. They smeared John's reputation in an attempt to undermine his credibility.
The Dems should have Jamie Raskin & Pete Buttigieg at Town Halls & on media across the country. Both are able to clearly & concisely convey the implications of various policies & EOs of MAGA & Trump.
When travelling overseas in 1970s, we were issued with vaccine passports. Arriving back in Australia we had to present the passport. If there was an outbreak of infectious disease in location we visited, w/o proof of vaccination, we were immediately sent to quarantine. We need to reintroduce this.
Four Corners, ABC Australia, did an informative programme this week on the impact of Trump's tariffs on US businesses and economy.
We did. The 'do your own research' crowd didn't. They believe their ignorance is greater than expertise.
Alternative healing practitioners prey on people like your friend when they are most vulnerable. Alternative medicine/prayer may at best help with pain relief. Alternative 'medicine' has existed for centuries. Only with modern medicine has lifespan increased. So pleased you made the choice to live.
As a family member said, 'I'm an Ophthalmologist. If I have cardiac issues, I'll listen to cardiologists. They're experts on cardiology." Experts know their limits. 'Do your own research' people lack knowledge & understanding to determine credible research.
I have a friend with myeloma. She's listened experts. Still alive 14 years later. A friend of hers was diagnosed with early stage breast cancer. She listened to alternative 'medicine' scammers & evangelicals who claimed to cure cancer. They were still praying over her when she died 18 mths later.
If billionaires paid their share of taxes, social welfare programs would be well funded & there would be no debt increase.
Just a reminder that while her ex nonstop soils himself in public with tasteless displays of wealth and look-at-me, thirsty nonsense, Mackenzie Scott has given away close to $20 billion to 1,600 charities, no strings attached and without any need for recognition.
Robert Fisk's book The Great War for Civilisation: The Conquest of the Middle East should be compulsory reading for diplomats. He documents why they despise UK & US from their betrayal after WW1, overthrowing Mossedegh, US support for Iraq during Iran / Iraq war, through to Iraq war.
That was my first thought as well.
During Trump's 1st administration, farmers required bailouts due to Trump tariffs. Trump said he would increase tariffs when campaigning. They did know the consequences of their vote. They chose to ignore them because of misogyny, racism & homophobia.
Respect must be earned. It is not a right of position & it can't be commanded. To earn respect, you must first respect others. Feigned respect due to bullying is not respect. It's contempt.
'Incomprehensible'
He made his fortune on the back of scientists whose research developed the technology.
As an Australian I too find this obsession with guns creepy. Incomlrehensibke to us that people value their right to gun ownership over the right of others to live.
BREAKING: Palestinian witnesses and hospitals say Israeli forces opened fire toward hundreds of people waiting for aid trucks in central Gaza, killing at least 25 people.
Facts indicate it is. Other news sources across the world are reporting Israel us hitting residential areas in Iran. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/18/w...
Israel is hitting civilian targets in Tehran. Gaza is relevant as it shows a pattern of intent. Israel attacked a cancer hospital with no evidence there were Hamas tunnels underneath. Israel has been deliberately striking civilian targets, including civilians seeking aid & foreign aid workers.
Why should Gazans be forced from their homeland by an invading force?
Maybe Gazans should not have been bombed. Then there would be no need for them to be refugees.
Israel bombed Gaza’s last cancer & cardiac hospital, then released a video claiming Hamas tunnels were below it. Now they admit the footage was from somewhere else. The hospital is shut, and innocent people died. #Gaza #WarCrimes #auspol #Genocide
Australian news broadcasts are reporting that Israeli & US bombing of Iran is illegal under international law. They are also reporting Trump withdrew from JPCOA & that Netanyahu coerced Trump into this action. US news broadcasts need to follow the lead of Australian news by reporting facts.