Cooperation to achieve peace depends on trust created by parties believing what is said, relying on assurances given and on promises made. Instead of trust bolstered by a search for truth, lying has become a political art, and conned citizens become become enthusiastic imitators. (more…)
Stuart Rees
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Julian Assange v. Legal – political cruelty and cowardice
The UK High Court’s decision to not allow Julian Assange’s appeal against his extradition to the US is the latest chapter in years of powerful governments fascination with cruelty, each act contrived through legal antics labelled justice. (more…)
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Searching for peace in Ukraine
Instead of searching for peace in Ukraine, western leaders and western news media have promoted US/European solidarity in opposition to Russian violence, a trend nurtured by enthusiasm for ways to arm Ukraine and punish Putin. (more…)
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To challenge Putin avoid Australian aggression
Scott Morrison frothing about Putin can be replaced by some acknowledgement of our part in a world order gone wrong. (more…)
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Dogmatists shouting freedom: significant lessons from John Stuart Mill
Democracy is eroded by selfish, untruthful, often violent individualism. (more…)
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Election predictions: Mismatch between polls and pundits
Before voting in a May election, the public must expect commentator confusion, as in the contrast between predictions from polls and and the judgements of pundits. (more…)
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Forget warfare obsession, give peace a chance in Ukraine
Australian election candidates should remind themselves that preparations for war contribute nothing to people’s mental or physical health.
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Australia’s structural cruelty goes beyond refugee policy
Australia’s reprehensible treatment of refugees now goes beyond cruelty, and instead could be described as evil. (more…)
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Sydney Festival boycott justified, despite repetitive protests of Israel lobby
Opposition to such a boycott depends on lies about a movement that rejects racism and violence and is based on principles of international law.
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Bully boy tactics-Refugees, Christine Holgate and now Novak Djokovic.
Outsiders might think the accounts of long-term detainees refer to policies and conditions in Kazakhstan and Belarus not in alleged fair-go Australia.
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Lessons on policy from a visionary public servant, and a thoughtful MP
The beginning of 2022 sees an urgent need for long-term thoughtfulness which diagnoses current threats to existence and creative ways to respond.
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A man of substance, and joyful to the last: the Desmond Tutu I knew
Armed with inclusive views of humanity, “the Arch” crossed borders, challenged nationalism and advocated justice, not least for the Palestinians.
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Christmas spirit missing in Israeli variants of cruelty
In the spirit of Christmas and with a touch of courage, the Israel lobby should be shunned and the malicious treatment of Palestinians condemned.
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No justice for Julian Assange, but plenty of cruelty
Julian Assange’s pending extradition to the US allowed the Australian government a chance to show some ticker by demanding his freedom.
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‘Can do capitalism’: An outdated, selfish narrative
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has been promoting ‘can do capitalism’, when what Australia needs is policies that treat all citizens equally.
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Scott Morrison’s cruel indifference to pleas for climate action
Too much is at stake to be timid in critiques of the Morrison government’s outrageous ‘Australian Way’ of addressing climate change.
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Selfishness emerges as the planet’s greatest existential threat
Global policymakers’ selfishness could prove terminal, driving the relentless exploitation of the planet’s natural resources. (more…)
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The moral morass behind Australia’s arms exports to Africa
The Defence Department and Australian arms manufacturers appear to have no qualms about selling weapons to countries where conflict and human rights abuses are prevalent. (more…)
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The sneaky deal to have NSW Labor adopt controversial anti-Semitism definition
In a surprise move, the NSW Labor Party recently adopted a controversial definition of anti-Semitism without open debate after some last-minute changes to the agenda.
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Nobel Peace Prize recipients Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov have some lessons for Australia
Australian journalists should try imitating the extreme courage of Nobel Peace Price winners Maria Ressa and Dmitry Muratov — justice needs to be done on many issues.
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Maria Kalesnikova: Amazing courage for Belarus and beyond
In democracies, there are few risks in challenging abusive policies, though courage to do so is often missing. Yet in a brutal, dangerous country, young Belarusian leader Maria Kalesnikova is displaying that indispensable quality. (more…)
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Adoption of anti-Semitism definition is absurd and abusive
Anti-Semitism is racist, bigoted and should never be tolerated. Yet in arguing for the IHRA definition of anti-Semitism, Australian politicians’ rationale has been thoughtless, often absurd and usually abusive of the rights of Palestinians. (more…)
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An Australian Story of Cruelty: the Biloela family
On Monday, former immigration minister Amanda Vanstone was wringing her hands on ABC TV. Not on behalf of the persecuted Biloela family, though. She was crying crocodile tears to defend a powerful, inflexible government. (more…)
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Anti-Palestinianism is as damnable as anti-Semitism: a statement is long overdue
Before endorsing the International Holocaust Remembrance Association’s definition of anti-Semitism, politicians in Australia and other western countries should consider the implications for the rights of Palestinians.
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Resilience via poetry, a South Sudanese story
Behind the stay-at-home Covid restrictions, the mental health of thousands is threatened. Cries for help multiply. To virus induced threats, including isolation if schools and universities stay closed, migrants must also deal with the trauma of past events plus the stigma of not always feeling accepted in a new country. Like Achol Arop.
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Morrison shows selfishness and cruelty towards Afghans.
At press conferences about the Afghan tragedy, Prime Minister Morrison boasts that Australia is rescuing Afghans, and to resettle refugees will implement humanitarian programmes. Each claim displays selfishness and cruelty, as in policy statements which are cover for cowardice and devoid of generosity. (more…)
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Biloela and Assange: compliance with governments, not justice
In Australia, to utter the words ‘High Court’ assumes a sense of justice. In the UK, claims about British justice imply adherence to principled conducted influenced by law. But in both countries, judges and lawyers have been displaying not passion for justice but compliance with revengeful governments.
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Climate urgency, Australia’s selfishness
In response to the UN International Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), Treasurer Josh Frydenberg rushed to Sky News to repeat the platitude that technology, not taxes would overcome threats from global warming. Before a Canberra press conference, a smirking Prime Minister claimed Australia would reach targets to limit greenhouse gas emissions because this country always achieves its goals. (more…)
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Sanctioning Israel: Courage to Present a Petition to Parliament
A petition to be presented to Federal politicians on August 9 seeks the imposition of sanctions on Israel. It asks for condemnation of apartheid as a crime against humanity, demands an end to the cruel 15 year siege of Gaza and the 54 year military occupation of Palestinian lands.
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Covid-fuelled violence threatens civility and democracy
In common with the thugs who invaded the US Capitol on January 6, the Australian protesters against lockdown measures on July 24 displayed extremism which threatens the civility of democracy and thereby others’ freedoms. (more…)