@beldame.bsky.social
Reposted
Good analysis from Sarah Martin, but misses a key point:
if the Bondi massacre is being hijacked by culture warriors like Howard and the anti-immigration right, it's because that's how mainstream media chooses to frame it.
They are lazy or complicit. #auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
if the Bondi massacre is being hijacked by culture warriors like Howard and the anti-immigration right, it's because that's how mainstream media chooses to frame it.
They are lazy or complicit. #auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
John Howard’s dog-whistle intervention in gun debate all but dashes any hope of meaningful reform
In the absence of strong, swift action from Anthony Albanese, the former PM is shifting political debate from gun control to a divisive culture war
www.theguardian.com
December 17, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Good analysis from Sarah Martin, but misses a key point:
if the Bondi massacre is being hijacked by culture warriors like Howard and the anti-immigration right, it's because that's how mainstream media chooses to frame it.
They are lazy or complicit. #auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
if the Bondi massacre is being hijacked by culture warriors like Howard and the anti-immigration right, it's because that's how mainstream media chooses to frame it.
They are lazy or complicit. #auspol
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
December 15, 2025 at 8:04 AM
Rob Reiner: I'm going to make a coming of age drama, a fantasy adventure story, a romantic comedy, a psychological horror and then a courtroom drama.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Us: Across your entire career?
Reiner: In a 6 year period.
Us: That sounds-
Reiner: -Each one will be arguably the best movie in that genre.
Reposted
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
December 14, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Increase in productivity since 1979: 87%
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Increase in hourly pay since 1979: 32%
Just so happens that ~25% of workers were unionized in 1979. Today? 10%.
As unions declined, the super-rich have taken a larger share of wealth generated by labor. We must build back union power.
Reposted
"The global wealth gap has become so staggering, and its impact on economies and democratic institutions so corrosive, that policymakers should treat it as an emergency."
Richest 0.001% Now Own Three Times More Wealth Than Poorest Half of Humanity Combined | Common Dreams
A landmark report on global inequality shows that
the chasm between the richest slice of humanity and everyone else
continued to expand this year
www.commondreams.org
December 13, 2025 at 11:44 PM
"The global wealth gap has become so staggering, and its impact on economies and democratic institutions so corrosive, that policymakers should treat it as an emergency."
Reposted
Independent media depends on public support. Leaders in public policy, academia and the arts describe why Pearls and Irritations is vital to Australia’s democratic conversation – and why your donation counts.
#IndependentMedia #AusPol #PublicInterestJournalism
#IndependentMedia #AusPol #PublicInterestJournalism
Don’t take it from us – here’s what great Australians think of P&I
At the time of writing, Pearls & Irritations is still $23,405 short of its critically needed fundraising target, with just four days remaining. Leading Australian thinkers explain why independent, expert-led analysis matters more than ever.
johnmenadue.com
December 12, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Independent media depends on public support. Leaders in public policy, academia and the arts describe why Pearls and Irritations is vital to Australia’s democratic conversation – and why your donation counts.
#IndependentMedia #AusPol #PublicInterestJournalism
#IndependentMedia #AusPol #PublicInterestJournalism
Reposted
Important to remember that while the Murdoch and Ninefax outlets are under the covers 'fluffing up' the Libs, in the next few weeks the Vic Govt will deliver
- a whole new 5 stations & tunnel.
- a new river crossing/tunnel to the west.
And a month or two later
- a new, bigger Footscray hospital
- a whole new 5 stations & tunnel.
- a new river crossing/tunnel to the west.
And a month or two later
- a new, bigger Footscray hospital
November 26, 2025 at 10:04 AM
Important to remember that while the Murdoch and Ninefax outlets are under the covers 'fluffing up' the Libs, in the next few weeks the Vic Govt will deliver
- a whole new 5 stations & tunnel.
- a new river crossing/tunnel to the west.
And a month or two later
- a new, bigger Footscray hospital
- a whole new 5 stations & tunnel.
- a new river crossing/tunnel to the west.
And a month or two later
- a new, bigger Footscray hospital
Reposted
Superannuation and the Canberra Press Gallery’s fantasies https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10/superannuation-and-the-canberra-press-gallerys-fantasies #auspol
Superannuation and the Canberra Press Gallery's fantasies
The Canberra Press Gallery was completely absorbed with the supposed politics of last week’s superannuation changes and completely failed to consider their merits and why the changes were therefore made.
johnmenadue.com
October 23, 2025 at 5:06 AM
Superannuation and the Canberra Press Gallery’s fantasies https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/10/superannuation-and-the-canberra-press-gallerys-fantasies #auspol
Reposted
I’m getting weary of this. This government is representative of what the people of this place want. The argument is with all of us. Turning it into a constant personalised political snipe belittles the nature of the problem.
Thanks to Murray and his ALP pals, weather reports like this will become increasingly scary and weird
October 22, 2025 at 7:50 AM
I’m getting weary of this. This government is representative of what the people of this place want. The argument is with all of us. Turning it into a constant personalised political snipe belittles the nature of the problem.
Reposted
World War 2 veterans, the original antifa, took part in the nationwide protests against the fascist Trump regime. #3E #NoKings #50501Movement #indivisible #wearetheflood
October 19, 2025 at 12:50 AM
World War 2 veterans, the original antifa, took part in the nationwide protests against the fascist Trump regime. #3E #NoKings #50501Movement #indivisible #wearetheflood
Reposted
Bertrand Russell to Oswald Mosley. Perfection.
October 16, 2025 at 3:04 PM
Bertrand Russell to Oswald Mosley. Perfection.
To which her response should be “no, sod off, this is the Labour Party”.
October 16, 2025 at 7:52 AM
To which her response should be “no, sod off, this is the Labour Party”.
Reposted
"True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.” —FDR, 1944
October 5, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"True individual freedom cannot exist without economic security and independence. People who are hungry and out of a job are the stuff of which dictatorships are made.” —FDR, 1944
Reposted
Kamala Harris’s election memoir shows just how deluded the Democrats still are | Nesrine Malik
Kamala Harris’s election memoir shows just how deluded the Democrats still are | Nesrine Malik
This unapologetic trawl through a doomed campaign reveals a celebrity-obsessed party high on its own supply. It would be hilarious if it wasn’t so tragic, says columnist Nesrine Malik
www.theguardian.com
September 29, 2025 at 5:38 AM
Kamala Harris’s election memoir shows just how deluded the Democrats still are | Nesrine Malik
Reposted
Yesterday, Meta unveiled a new "feed" on its platforms that will exclusively feature AI-generated videos.
This overshadowed another big announcement...
On Tuesday, Meta launched a super new PAC geared towards electing politicians that will block any AI regulation.
Hello?
This overshadowed another big announcement...
On Tuesday, Meta launched a super new PAC geared towards electing politicians that will block any AI regulation.
Hello?
September 26, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Yesterday, Meta unveiled a new "feed" on its platforms that will exclusively feature AI-generated videos.
This overshadowed another big announcement...
On Tuesday, Meta launched a super new PAC geared towards electing politicians that will block any AI regulation.
Hello?
This overshadowed another big announcement...
On Tuesday, Meta launched a super new PAC geared towards electing politicians that will block any AI regulation.
Hello?
Reposted
On the blatant double standards the media - BBC included - deploys while showcasing Nigel Farage. He is constantly given a free pass not granted to other politicians. bylines.scot/news/the-far...
The Farage ‘mirage’: how the media is warping our politics
It is time that the media fulfils its role to critically examine politician’s statements and call them out when they stray from the truth
bylines.scot
September 24, 2025 at 6:54 AM
On the blatant double standards the media - BBC included - deploys while showcasing Nigel Farage. He is constantly given a free pass not granted to other politicians. bylines.scot/news/the-far...
Reposted
Yes, a working-class woman will be Labour’s next deputy leader, but what about those still sidelined? | Jennifer Jasmine White
Yes, a working-class woman will be Labour’s next deputy leader, but what about those still sidelined? | Jennifer Jasmine White
Until politicians address and improve the lives of all working class women – white and ethnic minority – these advances will feel minimal, says academic Jennifer Jasmine White
www.theguardian.com
September 22, 2025 at 11:03 AM
Yes, a working-class woman will be Labour’s next deputy leader, but what about those still sidelined? | Jennifer Jasmine White
Read the replies.
September 21, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Read the replies.
Reposted
Opposition to wind power melts away when tax revenues are ring-fenced for local projects and when local jobs are created.
www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
Exciting new research shows ways to defuse the "green backlash"
There is growing opposition to environmental policies around the world, but could researchers have found a way around this, asks Graham Lawton
www.newscientist.com
September 14, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Opposition to wind power melts away when tax revenues are ring-fenced for local projects and when local jobs are created.
www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
www.newscientist.com/article/mg26...
Reposted
Charlie Kirk's murder has plunged us into a democratic crisis www.vox.com/politics/461...
Our country is not prepared for this
On the horrible murder of Charlie Kirk — and the threat to democracy it created.
www.vox.com
September 10, 2025 at 11:27 PM
Charlie Kirk's murder has plunged us into a democratic crisis www.vox.com/politics/461...
Reposted
This is sort of a thing, and I'm kind of proud of myself. The thing: I'm giving the keynote Boyer Lecture this year. Won't mean much to non-Aussies, but it's the leading annual "public intellectual" lecture series in my native Australia, and it means a lot to me.
2025 ABC Boyer Lecture series examines Australia as a Radical Experiment in Democracy - About the ABC
Academics, writers and policy experts will explore Australia: A Radical Experiment in Democracy across a series of five orations for the 2025 Boyer Lecture series, hosted by its creative director…
www.abc.net.au
September 9, 2025 at 11:19 PM
This is sort of a thing, and I'm kind of proud of myself. The thing: I'm giving the keynote Boyer Lecture this year. Won't mean much to non-Aussies, but it's the leading annual "public intellectual" lecture series in my native Australia, and it means a lot to me.
Reposted
While the Trump administration tries to cancel offshore wind for "national security" reasons, here's the CEO of Ukraine's largest private energy company
September 7, 2025 at 11:41 PM
While the Trump administration tries to cancel offshore wind for "national security" reasons, here's the CEO of Ukraine's largest private energy company
Blessed be the fruit.
When her son died in utero, a venture capitalist went to extremes to punish her surrogate. www.wired.com/story/the-ba...
The Baby Died. Whose Fault Is It?
When her son died in utero, a venture capitalist went to extremes to punish her surrogate.
www.wired.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Blessed be the fruit.
Reposted
Just a reminder that in 1997, then-Treasurer Liberal party Peter Costello approved the sale of the majority of the RBA’s 247 tonnes of gold , claiming “gold no longer plays a significant role in the international financial system.”
The decision has cost us between $36-$38billion.
The decision has cost us between $36-$38billion.
September 2, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Just a reminder that in 1997, then-Treasurer Liberal party Peter Costello approved the sale of the majority of the RBA’s 247 tonnes of gold , claiming “gold no longer plays a significant role in the international financial system.”
The decision has cost us between $36-$38billion.
The decision has cost us between $36-$38billion.
Reposted
Both left and right agree taxes must rise. Time for Labour to get creative | Polly Toynbee
Both left and right agree taxes must rise. Time for Labour to get creative | Polly Toynbee
The faux row will be ear-splitting whether Reeves takes a lot or a little. Scepticism about a wealth tax is rising, but there are many ways to skin fat cats, says Guardian columnist Polly Toynbee
www.theguardian.com
August 12, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Both left and right agree taxes must rise. Time for Labour to get creative | Polly Toynbee