With the world's stock markets plummeting, you may question the wisdom of the headline. Trump's tariff policies announced last week have opened up the floodgates. Trump argues he has only raised tariffs on trading partners to redress what he has said was unfair treatment of the USA in the past. There is a good case for this argument, and Trump has made every effort to explain it. Nevertheless, to every action there is a reaction, and markets have reacted in anticipation of trading problems. Markets have reacted somewhat predictably in their usual way, panic. Like a herd of bison, they are off and running at any such whiff of danger. Once started, they are hard to stop.
It is hard to predict what will happen. Talk of recession, even depression, is circulating, seeding panic. I tend to see this as an overreaction, but markets can be self-realising. To some extent there is mischief making, as always, with anti Trump media always ready to blame him for causing chaos. Trump, unpredictable as ever, may well take steps to stop the bleeding, but at this stage he is standing firm.
Could Trump's tariff policy have been handled without causing the severe market reaction? Most likely a phase-in period, over which countries could review their US trade policies, would have been preferable. That could have avoided today's market panic.
While the method may not have been ideal, the foundation of the Trump policy is valid. The case for this change in tariff policy is covered well by Victor Davis Hanson in the following video.
It has been more than 4 years yet questions about the integrity of the 2020 US presidential election will not subside. In a most recent video Victor Davis Hanson (VDH) raises more questions on the election. There is an old saying that 'the ruth will out'. The concept is that truth will win eventually and all lies will be exposed. I am sure that is not always the case. I feel many historical truths are lost in time. But given the multitude of records created by our mass media today, the suppression of truth is becoming increasingly difficult.
Since the election of 2020 is just over 4 years old, there are extensive records that no doubt contain the truth. We know that widespread election 'shenanigans ' was reported even before, during and after the election, and despite a concerted effort by mass media to suppress all 'election denial', many questions have remained. Too many people are scarred by public shaming and cancel culture to articulate these views, consequently the clamor, so loud four years ago, is now but a whisper. But it has not died. In the most recent video VDH raises more questions regarding the integrity of those elections. Its a short one, well worth the view.
Trump certainly still believes the elections were stolen, but now has his hands full trying to run the world. Perhaps later in his term, he will establish a bipartisan 'electoral' commission, headed by trusted individuals, to oversee and investigate all claims of electoral anomalies. Such a commission would go a long way to re-establish trust in US elections.
Is there Free Speech in Australia?
Most people will think Australia, as a Western Democracy, enjoys the human rights that we assume are the hallmarks of a free democracy; freedom of religion, free speech, a free press, etc. Perhaps those who experienced the unprecedented excesses of the Pandemic lockdowns, many of us have been revising that view. Australia, even worse than many other free democracies, broke the rules. But it was only for the period that there was a perceived serious threat, at least that is the case given by those who are generous, and perhaps those who were most fearful at the time. That argument would, of course, fail under proper scrutiny, but let's put it aside. How well does Australia fare today in terms of human rights? it seems not so well. The most recent example is the way "Billboard Chris, a Canadian anti-trans activist, has been treated by Australian authorities. Billboard Chris actively protests against those pushing extreme transgenderism, the idea that one can select their gender, and then have all the rights of their selected gender as those who were biologically born with that gender.
By way of background watch this short video to explain what Billboard Chris has done and what he now faces.
A vast majority of Australians would certainly agree with Billboard Chris's views and his right to protest against transgenderism. But it seems the authorities, in the form of the eSafety Commissioner together with local law enforcement, have been trying to prevent his protests. This is being litigated, and we don't know the outcome. Billboard Chris may win his case, but, and this is a big but, there is NO Free Speech if you have to go to court to achieve it. This is another shameful episode for Australia, and I am guessing for many supposedly free democracies that have grown their political power to impose limits on their citizens' human rights.
Is Australia's Electoral Commission biased?
We all know how 'clickbait' works. A catchy headline, a simple click, and there you are spending time on a topic you really were not planning. Regularly, YouTube selects videos vaguely related to my past selections. This works ok for me, as I have a broad range of interests and will select based on my mood. Why am I explaining this? I am blaming YouTube for bringing this issue to my attention. I had no idea there was any bias in the way Australia's AEC (Australian Electoral Commission) managed Australia's elections. While I have not heard ot Topher Field, the presenter of this video, he places his arguments well. After the way our public bodies behaved during the COVID pandemic, I have lost the naive trust I once had. I am skeptical about anything the 'authorities' do, and will question everything.
In this short video, Topher Field presents a disconcerting but credible case for the AEC applying different standards in its management of Australia's elections. The smaller weaker independents are often ruled with an iron fist, applying very strict monitoring. At the same time, the Labor party is allowed leave to 'bend' the rules. Judge for yourself.
Halving America's annual deficit
Imagine if you could wave a magic wand and halve the government's annual deficit? Most Western governments would love to have one of those magic wands, please. In the US, Trump has created just such a magic wand in the form of DOGE. DOGE, the Department of Government Efficiency, headed by genius billionaire Elon Musk, is just that magic wand. Musk has assembled an elite group of business leaders to tackle a seemingly straightforward task. Review all aspects of government operations and identify potential savings by eliminating waste and fraud. The small group have given itself an initial target of saving $1 trillion from the US government's annual $7 trillion budget, a saving of 14 %. That 1 trillion effectively halves the current $2 trillion deficit. These are enormous numbers.
So, how are they going? Incredibly well. They have identified some $200B savings to date and have only looked at Social Security and Foreign Aid. Even with Social Security, they have only scratched the surface, and then they still have all the other large departments to go, Defence, Education, Health, etc.
The media has picked up some of the more obscene instances of waste and fraud, both in foreign Aid and Social Security. These include; -
USAID sending $20 million to a non-profit to produce Sesame Street in Iraq
USAID sending $900,000 to a Gaza based 'charity' for environmental development
USAID $1.5 million for a program to "advance diversity, equity and inclusion in Serbia's workplaces and business communities."
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the government's leading disaster-relief arm, giving over $59 million to house illegal immigrants in luxury New York City hotels
and many more...
Given the high profile given to this work Musk has fronted the media a number of times. Here is a longer video where many of the DOGE team were interviewed regarding their methods and successes.
Well worth a view.
I believe DOGE will turn out to have been a brilliant innovation. It will be copied by many Western Democracies to try to take control of costs.
In Australia, the Opposition leader, Peter Dutton has already appointed a DOGE shadow minister. Now all he has to do is win office.
Gaza's reporters are propagandists
For over 12 months, pro-Palestinian demonstrators have screamed through our streets demanding we all condemn those who are terrorising the innocent Palestinian civilians. Many reporters were on the scene in Gaza, providing eyewitness accounts. We listened with some skepticism as the figures did not gel with reports from Israel. The veracity of these accounts, however, has suffered a fatal blow following the recent demonstrations by Gaza's civilians against Hamas. These demonstrators had no doubt who to blame for their suffering; they blamed Hamas, not Israel.
So, how did those on-the-scene reporters present this contradiction of their prior reporting? They simply ignored it! Yep, they failed to report it at all. I guess that tells us what we should do with their reporting. Simply ignore it. These so-called reporters are propagandists and do not report on what is happening; they simply support Hamas. We suspected this, but now we have proof.
Here is a short video that names some of the organisations that purport to report, but only propagandize.
Hamas retaliation
If there was any doubt about Hamas' iron control over Gaza's civilians, the retaliation for the recent anti-Hamas demonstrations puts those doubts to rest. Hamas has started their retaliation having kidnapped, tortured and murdered some of the organizers of the protests. One cannot help but ask where are the pro-Palestinian demonstrators calling out Hamas for these atrocities. Where indeed.
Here is the latest on the retaliation.
Message from Crown Prince of Iran
I was surprised when I saw this video from the Crown Prince of Iran. He is the son of the late Shah of Iran and has been living in exile for 45 years. Although I have only seen the video below, he has regularly posted messages on YouTube. This is s short video that really requires no introduction. Have a look.
If only we could replace the despotic Islamist rulers of Iran with democratic leadership, the world would indeed be a safer place.
Trump was inaugurated just 2 months ago. After the euphoria of his first 2 weeks, reality is now setting in. Without doubt he took the reins with gusto. He was prepared. He selected a dream team of articulate, capable and anti-woke individuals. Almost all were confirmed by the Senate. They in turn, have taken the reins of their organisations and are generally settling in well. The pace has been hectic, and we cannot expect it to continue at this pace.
The decisions and executive orders that Trump initiated are starting to bear some fruit. Most notable is the success on the border. Border crossings are down 90%. This was achieved WITHOUT the new legislation the Democrats had been insisting would be necessary. Not a bit surprise, but worth noting.
In second place, IMHO, is the work of DOGE. Musk and his team have exposed unexpected levels of waste and fraud. Savings are already in the hundreds of billions, and are projected to reach $1 trillion pa. That is stupendous. Musk has suffered personal attacks, and his Tesla dealers are being terrorised. It seems the Democrats cannot stop digging their grave. How could any responsible citizen object to the elimination of fraud? No doubt most citizens do not. So the Democrats are picking the wrong battle, again.
There have also been some negatives. The handling of Zelensky with a public altercation in the OvalOffice was unseemly and unprofessional.Although Zelensky must accept some of the blame so must Trump and his team. JD in particular. He seems to me to lack nuance and finesse. This will become a real problem if he cannot learn, and quickly. Although a lot of commentary on the Putin Trump relationship seemed to indicate Trump has some rapport and would be able to come to an agreement relativley quickly. While Trump's claim of 24 hours for a ceasefire was always regarded as a 'rhetorical flourish', it is looking messy. Putin is toying at the moment, perhaps misreading Trump's ability to turn on a dime. we shall see soon enough. But at this stagre I expect Trump will have to force Putin to get serious, either by strengthening Zelensky via additional arms, or additional sanctions.
On the ISrael-Hamas war, Trump has gone as well as could have been expected. Hamas is crumbling but slowly. Trump and his team are giving good support and arms shipments are flowing.
On Iran Trump has issued an ultimatum give up your nuclear ambitions or have them destroyed. He has sgiven them 2 months. That period however is a problem, and I have read recently that Russia and China are now encouraging Iran to develop their bombs within the next 2 months. I take the report with a grain of salt as I cannot see either Russia or China wanting another nuclear state, especially an Islamist state, given the problems they have both experience with their Muslim insurrectionists. Still it is an issue.
Still on the negatives, the anti-Trump media has re-grouped and are back to their TDS. However, their supporters have diminished and many are re-structuring, and even aligning with Trump's policies.
The Democrats are in disarray; there seems to be no clear leaders, so the extremists, AOC, Warren, and Sanders, are making hay. The only coordinated action seems to be judicial, with over a hundred legal cases against the Trump administration's decisions. Local judges have put a halt to many, and the process will now continue to the appeals court and some to the Supreme Court. This was expected and will cause some delay, but most are expected to succeed.
That brings us to the most recent fiasco, where a reporter from left-wing Atlantic was 'invited' to attend what should have been secret meetings between senior members of Trump's executive team. This has been in the papers for a week now, and should die down, but it is the first serious failure of the team. I am guessing no heads will roll this time, but hopefully, there is some investigation being done to determine why this happened, and why Walz has the Atlantic reporter's personal number??
That is my short summary. But it is much better to hear from an expert. Here is a brief one from Victor Davis Hanson.
More Gaza demonstration against Hamas
It seems the demonstrations against Hamas in Gaza are no abating. In multiple cities demonstrators are out in force decrying Hamas for starting the war against Israel AND demanding the release of the remaining hostages. If only we had the same demonstrations and slogans from the Western world. We can only speculate that the war would have been over by now.
Still better late than never! Let's see if the pro-Palestinian demonstrators will change their tune and align their slogans with that of Gaza's Palestinians, calling for Hamas to release the remaining hostages. I suspect not.
Here is another video of the demonstrations.
Here come the Robots
I am a tech freak, having been weaned on engineering and science. Living in the late 20th and early 21st century, I have had a feast of technological developments. While robotics has already transformed large-scale manufacturing across the globe, most recently, our collective focus has been taken by AI with nary a new announcement every week. Without doubt, both disciplines independently are at the very beginning of their life cycle and will transform life on earth. The greatest impact, however, will come from their integration. AI will take over the cognitive functions, and robotics will enable execution. The world of Futurama, with intelligent humanoid robots, will present humanity with the possibility of eliminating all physical labour. Imagine a world where intelligent robots can do all the work required for housing, feeding, and entertaining a populace that can spend its time on whatever it wants. This can be viewed as a dream or a nightmare. Yes technology always presents new challenges.
But let's not get bogged down in the philosophy, have a look at some of the advances in robotics presented in this video.
That, of course, presents too many social problems to cover here.
Gazans protesting against HAMAS
It seems to have taken eons, but at last, we have demonstrations by 'innocent' Palestinian citizens against their Hamas overlords. Why should this be surprising? After all, in many Western cities, there are regular ongoing protests against Israel in support of Hamas. Yes, we have citizens of the free West protesting Israel's defensive war against a terrorist organisation that started the war and still holds hostages. Innocent civilians who happened to have attended a music festival some 18 months ago. While one can dismiss the atrocities that started the war as those of a barbaric group of Islamic terrorists, surveys of the population of Gaza just after the Oct 7 attack and even after the Israeli response including a ground invasion, and extensive bombing, the surveys showed about 80% of Gaza's population supported Hamas' atrocities. Yes, some 80%. Over the following months, Hamas' popularity dropped to about 60%, most recently to around 40%.
At last, it seems, those 60% who no longer support Hamas are now out in the streets calling for Hamas to leave. This is good news, and one could predict it to be the beginning of the end of Hamas. But let's not be overly optimistic, Hamas is still in control, and they may manage to quell this uprising. If they do, it will be brutal. We have seen their brutality in the past. But we live in hope.
The reporting of these demonstrations has been limited. I have seen it on SkyNews, X, and reported in the Australian. However, there is, at present, some reluctance in main stream, read left-leaning, media to report on this. After all, for 18 months they have been reporting extensively and enthusiastically on the demonstrations against demon Israel. So it is difficult to turn around and now report on the Gazans rejecting the very group that those demonstrations supported.
Here is the report from SkyNews.
Lockdowns do NOT work
Though a few years have passed, the pandemic is now a somewhat remote nightmare. Most of the world has moved on. Sure, a few million people died (actually some 7 million, according to Wikipedia). Sure, the authorities made some poor decisions. Sure, vaccination would have had some side effects, including some deaths, but it is claimed they were necessary to save lives. Sure vaccine manufacturers took some shortcuts in the testing of the vaccines. Sure, the media and medical authorities stretched the truth to get us to conform to vaccination and lockdown mandates. But it is claimed this unprecedented authoritarianism was for our own good. So goes the claim. But although, as Oliver Tearle said, "A lie is halfway round the world before the truth has got its boots on", the truth does, eventually catch up.
The truth has been trickling out over the months. The truth that current COVID vaccination presents zero efficacy, that COVID vaccination has serious adverse events at a rate that makes it inadvisable for many, if not all, age groups, the truth that the lockdowns that were imposed in many Western democracies violated the human rights of the population.
Most recently, we learned that lockdowns are NOT an effective strategy for limiting the impact of a pandemic. In fact, quite the opposite. Here is a Prager video by Dr Scott Atlas, Senior Fellow in Health Policy at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University, titled "COVID Lockdowns:The Real Cost". Well worth a view.
Much Maligned Musk manages miracle!
With US Democrats virtually losing their minds in a Musk-hate frenzy, we are unlikely to hear too much about the miraculous rescue of the marooned astronauts on the International Space Station. But miraculous it was. It elevates Musk in the eyes of anyone with a heart, but that condition may perhaps leave out many Democrats. Musk is a genius across many fields, and is widely respected across the world. Yet, in our politically polarized world when he dropped the Democrats and joined Trump's campaign the rabid Democrats have turned on him. Bogus investigations, campaigns to boycott companies advertising on Twitter, and most recently a violent campaign attacking Tesla dealerships.
It seems 'hell hath no fury like a "Democrat" scorned!
The rescue of the marooned astronauts did make the media, yet was quickly forgotten to focus on anti-Trump propaganda. Here is a brief video from Dave Rubin.
How to handle calls to boycott Israel
Sad to say politics has infiltrated every aspect of our lives. Local councils, whose sole raison-d'etre is "rates, roads and rubbish' are invariably hijacked by activists to pass resolutions that have nothing to do with their core function. We have councils that object to Australia Day being on 26th January, to wanting to fly a Palestinian flag, to celebrate Pride Day by painting roads multi-coloured, or imposing a boycott against Israeli goods. These types of issues are political in nature and a council decision will have a miniscule, if any, real impact. Usually, the position of these activist councils runs contrary to the government of the day and does not have community support. It is as if some minority clique has managed to take control of the local council, then flexing their power to enact radical policies to 'make a statement'.
While the examples I have given apply in Australia this issue is by no means limited to Australia. Indeed the following video shows how Rami Feinstein an Israeli citizen addressed Summit County Ohio council meeting when they were considering boycotting Israel. His response is succinct and comprehensive and serves as a template on how individuals should confront their councils when faced with political motions.
"What remains of the word democracy among the community of complainers who repeatedly herald its end? An empty front, cardboard scenery with nothing behind it."
The quote is especially poignant as it has become the battle cry of the Western World's naysayers. It poses the very real question: What indeed remains of the word that represents the essence of all free societies when its very meaning is debased by outlandish accusations of its demise?
The use of language as a weapon of political war is not new; indeed, it is as old as history. Yet we claim we have evolved over the millennia. It appears not and we can clearly see that by their words, the barbarians of our time betray themselves. Too many put expediency, political aims, and manipulation, ahead of accuracy.
Reality check: US support requires support for the US
Not a single day has gone by that Trump's influence has not made headlines. He has only been in office for a couple of months, but he has already changed the world. Great successes in closing the border, the elimination of DEI, Drill-Baby-Drill policies, and DOGE exposure of waste and fraud. And of course, some controversial calls have prickled not only the media but much of the Western World. By rolling out a whole range of MAGA policies there has been a less visible but perhaps even greater impact on Western allies. By scrutinizing every investment by the US to ensure that there is some benefit, and no cost to the US, Trump is first identifying the problem. The threat of withholding US funding to organisations that promote policies that do not advantage the US, or disadvantage the US, will cause a total re-think of where they invest. This policy will trickle through the woke West and cause a gradual re-alignment.
The impact of this policy is well covered by a recent video, specifically addressed to Australian Universities, it applies equally to all Australian institutions and indeed any institution worldwide that receives, or wants to receive, funding from the US.
Motivation for Oldies
Forgive me if you regard calling out 'oldies' as discriminative. I feel I am permitted because I certainly qualify. that is not a 'shucks, sorry to have to admit it" but a "proud and loud declaration of having survived and flourished for over 70 years". Why this bravado about age, you may well wonder?
Simple! I happened to come across a recent and quite uplifting short presentation by Jordan Peterson. If you are approaching or have passed the 70 milestone, you will find it inspirational and even if it does not bring instant happiness, may put a smile on your face. Worth the 7 minutes.
Egyptian Woman's exposes Islam
With the Hamas-Israeli war re-started we are once again on tenterhooks. No doubt the demonstrations in our streets will restart, and passions will again run high. Given the left-leaning media always places greater emphasis on the deaths of 'innocent civilians', our fellow citizens are conflicted. Most people identify with Israel, as being the victim of barbaric Hamas terrorists, but then again Israel is strong and the number of deaths seems disproportionate. It is hard, but necessary, to remember that no deaths would have occurred or be occurring if Hamas had not started the war, not taken hostages, or if they would now return the hostages and lay down their arms.
While Hamas is the weaker side, it is the aggressor, the war will only stop if Hamas returns the hostages and disarms. I guess the coming months will be difficult. If Israel fails to conclude the war with Hamas' unconditional surrender, then, history tells us, it will happen again.
Some people do get it, and I have seen many a video from Middle Eastern Muslims who dare speak out and apportion blame where it is due. Here is another one. This one is by an Egyptian woman raised in Gaza who managed to leave and go to America. There she gained a better knowledge of the West and could clearly see the differences between the Muslim and Judeo-Christian cultures.
Well worth a view.
Did CC Cause California Conflagration ?
We are used to wild claims about the impact of climate change. Climate Zealotry knows few bounds. Most recently the catastrophic wildfires in California have received wide coverage as an example of the terrible consequences of Climate Change. Most of the mainstream media covered the fires and accepted these claims without question. While some attention was given to alternative views, especially given the new Trump administration does not accept the CC association, the left-leaning media promoted the CC causation as a fact.
Their case was supported by a 'scientific report' that provided 'proof'. But, as is often the case, closer analysis shows that the claim is not supported by the mathematical analysis used to support it. Sabine Hossenfelder, theoretical physicist and YouTuber, has analyzed the paper and identified the misrepresentation.
I won't get into the technicalities, but Sabine's analysis shows that their conclusion is NOT supported by their own data. It also shows how the media can be manipulated by the CC zealots, but in most cases, they are already CC activists themselves.
In any case, here is Sabine's video. Worth a view, if you don't mind some technical analysis.
Islam-o-phobia
Islamophobia has been a clarion cry of many Muslim community representatives when confronted by any criticism of Islamic terrorism. The term is used, all too blatantly, to tamp down even justified criticism of terrorism, perpetrated in the name of Islam. The tendency for Muslim community leaders to try to quell such criticism, instead of calling it out, remains a significant impediment to the elimination of these terrorists. After all it provides them cover, instead of exposure and isolation. But that is a topic for another day.
I was struck the other day by this short video that exposes all too real and all too blatant Islam-o-phobia. It occurred during an interview of Richard Dawkins by Piers Morgan and exposed Dawkins' shameful Islam-o-phobia. I don't think I will ever think of him in the same way again. He has betrayed his scientific credentials, to tell the truth without fear or favour.
But you be the judge. Watch the short video below.
Bowen gaslighting the cost of renewables
If you have ever listened to Chris Bowen, Australia's Climate Czar, you would hear his incessant claim that renewables are the cheapest form of electricity generation and that nuclear is the most expensive. Given Bowen is a member of the government he has managed to stack the data compiled by supposedly independent bodies to support his claims. Many energy experts have analysed his claims and called out the false assumptions on which his claims are based. Here is another short video by Aidan Morrison of the Centre for Independent Studies. He provides a short but compelling analysis of the false assumptions used by Bowen. Worth a view, only around 10 minutes.
Israeli Arab drops truth bombs on BBC
We should not be surprised that an Israeli Arab would condemn Hamas and support Israel, but seeing it on the BBC is unusual. So it is well worth seeing this video. Perhaps over time even the BBC will re-align its moral compass.I am always an optimist.
