Two bits of polling news to report, neither of which are from Resolve Strategic, which had hitherto been appearing in the Age/Herald on the third Wednesday of each month. That leaves:
• Essential Research’s fortnightly report does not include the monthly leadership ratings, which are the series’ main point of interest outside of its quarterly dump of voting intention numbers. However, it does feature the regular ratings on governments’ COVID-19 responses, which finds the federal government’s good rating up three from its nadir a fortnight ago to 41% and its bad rating steady on 35%. The New South Wales government’s good rating is at a new low of 42%, which is down five on a fortnight ago and compares with 69% eight weeks ago. Victoria’s is up two to 56% and Queensland’s is up six to 66%; from their particularly small sample sizes, Western Australia is up five to 87% and South Australia is down five to 68%. The poll also finds 75% support and only 10% opposition to mandatory vaccinations, with no distinctions to speak of by party support. Also featured are further questions on COVID-19 that tend to the personal rather than the political, and questions prompted by the release of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change report last week. The poll was conducted Wednesday to Sunday from a sample of 1100.
• JWS Research has released its occasional True Issues survey, in which the federal government’s performance index score (by which 50% would indicate an even balance of positive and negative responses) is down six points since February to 52%. Fifty-seven per cent now rate Australia’s COVID-19 response as very good or good in comparison with the rest of the world, down from 79%. For the federal government specifically, the drop is from 56% to 38%; for state governments in aggregate, it’s down from 64% to 53%. A question on issue salience, in which respondents were asked to list three issues of particular importance, finds “hospitals, health care and ageing” reigning supreme on 59%, up from 45% in February, with economy and finances a distant second on an abnormally low 21%.
Other news:
• Phillip Coorey of the Financial Review on “a school of thought that it would be better to not wait for another budget and go in March instead”:
Waiting until May and launching an election campaign with a budget that would be a sea of red ink does not have the same appeal as 2019, when the budget predicted a return to surplus and contained generous tax cuts. The March theory is based on the hope that there is some semblance of normality in society following the Christmas break, due to vaccination levels being high enough and nobody in hard lockdown.
• Graeme Orr of the University of Queensland law department pokes many a hole in the government’s legislation whose intention is to give the existing major parties dibs on the words Liberal and Labor, and notes the proposed hike in the minimum membership requirement for party registration from 500 to 1500 is rough on regionally focused parties but little obstacle to parties formed by “wealthy interests”.
• Paul Sakkal of The Age reports the Liberal preselection for Casey, which will be vacated with Tony Smith’s retirement, has attracted a field of six: Roshena Campbell, barrister, Melbourne councillor and wife of Herald Sun journalist James Campbell; Grant Hutchison, managing partner of local law firm Hutchinson Legal; Aaron Violi, former staffer to Senator James Patterson and current executive with a company that provides online ordering services to restaurants; Andrew Asten, principal of Boston Consulting Group and former ministerial chief-of-staff to Alan Tudge; Donalea Patman, founder of For the Love of Wildlife, which campaigns against hunting in Africa; and Ranjana Srivastava, an oncologist. The report relates that Campbell and Violi are aligned with state Opposition Leader Michael O’Brien and party president Robert Clark, while Hutchison and Asten are in the rival Josh Frydenberg/Michael Sukkar camp.
• Charlie Peel of The Australian reports there are three candidates for Liberal National Party preselection to succeed George Christensen in Dawson: Whitsunday mayor Andrew Wilcox, former Mackay councillor Chris Bonanno and “the relatively unknown Chas Pasquale”.
From the previous thread:
Socrates @ #3180 Tuesday, August 17th, 2021 – 10:46 pm
Katy Gallagher just posted on Facebook that her young daughter Evie tested positive to Covid in Canberra today (one of the 17) and is feeling unwell. Katy and the rest of the family tested negative but are in quarantine.
Very sad
Oh, that’s terrible news.
It’s terrible news for any child, and their parents, not just the one of a Labor Senator either.
When will people stop being so reckless with other people’s health?
Andrew Asten, principal of Boston Consulting Group and former ministerial chief-of-staff to Alan Tudge;
So THAT’S why BCG gets so much work from the Morrison government?
Jeez, NSW Police know how to take park visits by cooped up residents seriously!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/basketball-hoops-removed-and-park-lights-turned-off-in-south-west-sydney-20210817-p58jk1.html
And in Covidiot news of the day:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/security-guards-sent-to-mullumbimby-byron-bay-post-offices-as-customers-shun-masks-check-ins-20210817-p58jf7.html
C@tmomma @ #3 Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 – 6:32 am
I have some sympathy for this, seeing as most days when I go for my walk the local basketball courts and tennis courts are packed with people. One tennis court the other day had 8 people on the one court! You’re supposed to only be exercising in pairs, but as always, the selfish idiots ruin it for those who are doing the right thing.
Phillip Coorey of the Financial Review on “a school of thought that it would be better to not wait for another budget and go in March instead”:
——————-
So Coorey has time to write more propaganda articles, how Morrison and Berejiklian saved Australia ?
‘fess,
I agree. I just thought it was amusing the lengths they went to!
Morning all.
“ Phillip Coorey of the Financial Review on “a school of thought that it would be better to not wait for another budget and go in March instead”
Coorey omits to mention the real reason for a March election: Delivering another budget would oblige the government to reveal the wishful thinking in the figures in Josh’s last budget, and the fact we have had two recessions in a row, while denying Labor opportunities to ask questions about how the money was spent. Scomo can promise lots of $ in the election campaign without revealing the cuts that will pay for them either.
But will anyone believe the lies of our loquacious leader any more?
C@tmomma at 6:22 am
Maybe but this is more relevant on that score…………………
.
Tudge worked as a management consultant with the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) from 1996 to 2001.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alan_Tudge
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Taliban officials have fronted the world’s media in Kabul for the first time since their shock seizure of the city, promising they will not take revenge against those who worked or fought with US forces during their 20-year mission in Afghanistan. Time will tell.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/taliban-vows-no-revenge-in-first-news-conference-since-seizing-power-20210817-p58jlk.html
Paul Kelly writes, “This was a capitulation. The US surrender to the Taliban is a Trump-Biden project. Donald Trump is the architect of this folly and Joe Biden is the agent of this surrender. There can be no excuse and no justification based on “forever war” apologia.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/betrayal-a-symptom-of-deeper-us-fracture/news-story/757651afa0055c1ce1088e405f64f1a5
“Joe Biden deserves criticism for the shambolic manner of the US departure from Afghanistan, but that doesn’t mean he was wrong to end the 20-year mission there”, writes The Australian’s Cameron Stewart.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/world/joe-biden-fumbles-us-exit-from-afghanistan-but-the-decision-was-correct/news-story/1bc86e46d4d15cbae4a06444ca8c19be
“Malcolm Fraser saved Vietnamese refugees – can Morrison find the same compassion for Afghanistan’s?”, wonders Bertin Huynh.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2021/aug/18/malcolm-fraser-saved-vietnamese-refugees-can-morrison-find-the-same-compassion-for-afghanistans
Scott Morrison now cannot travel through the country he governs. The Prime Minister is a prisoner in Canberra and his political fortunes in the run up to the next election will rise and fall on the whims of premiers and chief ministers, writes Chris Uhlman. Uhlmann says our pursuit of the fool’s errand of COVID Zero has seen us level every liberty, destroy educations and livelihoods and shut ourselves off from the world. This is the point at which I stopped reading it.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/scott-morrison-has-little-control-over-australia-s-destiny-or-his-own-20210817-p58jdy.html
Unlike the great Prime Ministers, Scott Morrison will not be remembered for his achievements. Instead, he will be judged by his unwillingness to take responsibility and provide the necessary leadership to adequately respond to the principal challenges facing this nation, opines Michael Keating.
https://johnmenadue.com/scott-morrison-is-no-leader/
Household transmission has been the cause of more than 70 per cent of COVID-19 cases in Sydney’s current outbreak, forcing the state government to urgently increase accommodation for people needing to isolate.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/household-transmissions-account-for-70-per-cent-of-sydney-s-covid-cases-20210817-p58ji7.html
Chritopher Knaus points to new data showing that thirty-four aged care facilities in New South Wales are currently in the grips of a Covid-19 outbreak or are under close surveillance due to recent cases.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/aug/18/covid-outbreaks-threaten-34-aged-care-facilities-across-nsw
Peter Lewis says that, through rolling lockdowns, Australians are keeping calm and carrying on – even as we lose hope in our leaders.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/17/through-rolling-lockdowns-australians-are-keeping-calm-and-carrying-on-even-as-we-lose-hope-in-our-leaders
Ross Gittins’ contribution today is headlined, “It’s the rich wot get to complain and the poor wot get infected”.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/it-s-the-rich-wot-get-to-complain-and-the-poor-wot-get-infected-20210817-p58jfg.html
Security guards are now manning the doors of Australia Post stores in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay after more than a third of customers refused to wear masks, use hand sanitiser or check-in. Bloody idiots!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/security-guards-sent-to-mullumbimby-byron-bay-post-offices-as-customers-shun-masks-check-ins-20210817-p58jf7.html
Tony Blakely argues that tough new rules may be the key to getting us out of this mess.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/tough-new-rules-may-be-key-to-getting-us-out-of-this-mess-20210816-p58j99.html
The AFR’s editorial says that the challenge for NSW is to continue to face up to the reality that the delta strain is forcing its hand on learning to live with the virus circulating.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/nsw-should-hold-the-line-on-vaxxing-out-of-the-gilded-cage-20210817-p58jbx
Victorian health authorities are increasingly concerned about the spread of coronavirus among children following a number of suspected cases of outdoor transmission and a surge in infections involving school students under ten.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/playground-transmission-probed-as-covid-19-spikes-among-children-20210817-p58jia.html
Michelle Grattan examines the medical dash as COVID spreads among Indigenous people in western NSW.
https://theconversation.com/medical-dash-as-covid-spreads-among-indigenous-people-in-western-nsw-166279
The AFR tells us that employer groups will push for the Morrison government to protect businesses from employee lawsuits that might arise from merely promoting vaccine uptake.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/employers-to-seek-indemnity-for-voluntary-vaccination-drives-20210817-p58jja
The pandemic is your fault according to the Coalition, writes Andrew P Street.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/the-pandemic-is-your-fault-according-to-the-coalition,15413
The medical bureaucracy’s failure to expedite vaccine supply is matched by the lack of action on faster testing kits, say Steven Hamilton and Richard Holden.
https://www.afr.com/policy/health-and-education/we-score-an-f-for-covid-19-testing-20210817-p58jc1
One of the activists behind last month’s violent anti-lockdown march has slipped into Sydney from his base in Queensland to organise another illegal protest scheduled for Saturday, claiming 100,000 followers will defy police orders to stay away.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/covid19-life-of-luxury-for-antilockdown-inciter/news-story/27ba2ab76bc62221ab47f722d234fb09
Experience overseas of ‘living with the virus’ as foreseen by the Doherty Institute could still mean a lot of workplace disruption, explains Jo Masters.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/why-it-may-be-tight-for-jobs-even-when-we-are-jabbed-20210817-p58jc6
For Morrison and Berejiklian the COVID game plan is dead simple says Michael Pascoe. It’s “Let it rip!”.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/coronavirus/2021/08/17/pms-plan-let-covid-rip/
Julie Szego examines the reactions to the now infamous engagement party in Melbourne.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/the-dangers-of-collective-shame-20210817-p58jcw.html
Australian expats finding themselves at the end of vaccine queues and unable to return home want an embassy immunisation program to be started.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/abandoned-australians-overseas-want-access-to-covid-19-vaccines-20210816-p58j19.html
Indigenous COVID-19 vaccination rates in some states are as low as four per cent, despite the federal government promising First Nations people priority access due to them being considered particularly at risk from the virus, revels Cameron Gooley.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/indigenous-vaccination-rates-lag-despite-priority-status-assurance-20210817-p58jdt.html
Emma Husar urges us to do right by our veterans and welcome Afghan refugees to Australia.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7389787/we-must-do-right-by-our-veterans-and-welcome-afghan-refugees-to-australia/?cs=14264&utm_source=website&utm_medium=home&utm_campaign=latestnews
A Melbourne company has told the federal government it could deliver 100 million mRNA vaccines from early 2023 by expanding an existing production line in a bid that rivals a plan from CSL. Biotech company IDT has put forward a proposal to start production within 18 months and offer population-wide inoculation against COVID-19 and its variants in a project backed by scientists and industry.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australian-company-offers-rival-bid-to-produce-mrna-vaccines-from-2023-20210817-p58jk6.html
The SMH editorial questions the NSW government’s decision to suspend all routinne breast screening across the state.
https://www.smh.com.au/lifestyle/health-and-wellness/breast-cancer-screening-should-remain-a-high-priority-20210817-p58jhd.html
Mike Foley tells us that in a National Farmers Federation undertaking, family farmers are banding together to showcase the climate action they are investing in, speaking directly to the community’s growing concerns about global warming and environmental sustainability.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/farmers-are-taking-climate-action-into-their-own-hands-20210817-p58jga.html
Kristina Keneally, in this op-ed, calls for the government to crack down on right-wing terror.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/canberra-must-crack-down-on-right-wing-terror-20210817-p58jg3.html
The Aged Care Royal Commission’s recommendation that people living in residential care receive 200 minutes per day of care, with 40 minutes provided by a nurse, is due to commence from July next year. Rachel Lane says that the time to act to secure the future of the aged care workforce, with competitive pay and conditions, to make this happen is now.
https://www.smh.com.au/money/super-and-retirement/time-to-act-on-aged-care-workforce-shortage-20210816-p58j8w.html
Stephen Bartholomeusz explains how BHP’s dramatic transformation overshadows its stunning profit result.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/bhp-s-dramatic-transformation-overshadows-stunning-profit-result-20210817-p58jla.html
Eliabeth Knight says that in selling its oil and gas assets to Woodside BHP has just kicked the environmental can across the Nullarbor.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/better-late-than-never-bhp-s-18-5-billion-nod-to-the-environment-20210817-p58jil.html
Australia is at risk of taking the wrong tack at the Glasgow climate talks, and slamming China is only part of it, argues Peter Martin.
https://theconversation.com/australia-is-at-risk-of-taking-the-wrong-tack-at-the-glasgow-climate-talks-and-slamming-china-is-only-part-of-it-166154
Mike Foley and Nick Toscano write that Australia’s competition watchdog is forecasting another spike in gas prices across south-eastern states in the next two years, warning the market is on a knife-edge and companies that rely on the fossil fuel could face further pain.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/gas-prices-on-the-rise-again-in-extraordinarily-tight-market-20210817-p58jh3.html
How Big Tech tracks us for profit.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/digital-slaves-how-big-tech-tracks-us-for-profit/
The DHA approved work visas illegally for Hong Kong passport holders in August 2020, misleading people into breaching visa conditions, writes Lina Li.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/government-approved-visas-against-migration-laws,15411
According to Bloomberg, US federal officials have ordered the first-ever water cuts on the Colorado River system that sustains 40 million people, the latest blow from a decades-long drought across the American west that has shrunk reservoirs to historic lows, devastated farms and set the stage for deadly forest fires.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/megadrought-forces-first-ever-colorado-river-water-rationing-20210817-p58jfa.html
The Taliban’s victory in Afghanistan has laid bare the magnitude of western hubris, writes Polly Toynbee.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2021/aug/17/talibans-victory-afghanistan-laid-bare-western-hubris
The SA Supreme Court has restrained alleged drug trafficker Luke Kokotis’s $7.7m property empire and fleet of cars, boats and bikes and accordingly he gets today’s nomination for “Arsehole of the Week”. A horrible type!
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/supreme-court-restrains-alleged-drug-trafficker-luke-kokotiss-77m-property-empire-and-fleet-of-cars-boats-and-bikes/news-story/7009a4e782fc19d0e4f6a97273f18fa7
Cartoon Corner
Peter Broelman
Cathy Wilcox
David Rowe
Simon Letch
Andrew Dyson
Mark David
Matt Golding
Glen Le Lievre (with one gif)
https://twitter.com/i/status/1427449264989380626
John Shakespeare
Fiona Katauskas
John Spooner
From the US
SMH .. “Scott Morrison has little control over Australia’s destiny or his own” Chris Uhlmann… total knob
https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2046499
Texas Governor Geef Abbott tests positive to COVID-19.
As I posted yesterday, you sow wind you trap whirlwind. No I don’t have any sympathy for him.
”
C@tmommasays:
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 6:36 am
And in Covidiot news of the day:
Security guards are now manning the doors of Australia Post stores in Mullumbimby and Byron Bay after more than a third of customers refused to wear masks, use hand sanitiser or check-in.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/security-guards-sent-to-mullumbimby-byron-bay-post-offices-as-customers-shun-masks-check-ins-20210817-p58jf7.html
”
So we have more than one COVIDIOT.
”
WB:
Phillip Coorey of the Financial Review on “a school of thought that it would be better to not wait for another budget and go in March instead”:
Waiting until May and launching an election campaign with a budget that would be a sea of red ink does not have the same appeal as 2019, when the budget predicted a return to surplus and contained generous tax cuts. The March theory is based on the hope that there is some semblance of normality in society following the Christmas break, due to vaccination levels being high enough and nobody in hard lockdown.
”
So Coorey ” school of thought” is giving Media advice from the secure confines of AFR. He doesn’t even have to work from PMO.
”
Confessionssays:
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 6:39 am
I have some sympathy for this, seeing as most days when I go for my walk the local basketball courts and tennis courts are packed with people. One tennis court the other day had 8 people on the one court! You’re supposed to only be exercising in pairs, but as always, the selfish idiots ruin it for those who are doing the right thing.
”
But I don’t think you live “in areas of south-west and western Sydney where open space is at a premium.”
If they do the same through out Greater Sydney, then fine. Otherwise it was targeted at specific group of people.
Coorey running the flag up the pole to see who salutes. A proxy for Morrison on a March election….
”
Paul Kelly writes, “This was a capitulation. The US surrender to the Taliban is a Trump-Biden project. Donald Trump is the architect of this folly and Joe Biden is the agent of this surrender. There can be no excuse and no justification based on “forever war” apologia.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/betrayal-a-symptom-of-deeper-us-fracture/news-story/757651afa0055c1ce1088e405f64f1a5
”
Yeah! Biden administration is shaking in its boots because of pontificator’s pontification and Australian citizens will vote in droves for Republicans in next US elections.
It is not foreign countries that led down Afghan women it is the Afghan men who led down Afghan women and children badly and treated them badly.
On the Wapo website, underneath the Governor Greg Abbott has Covid item, is this story outlining the consequences of his policies…
‘Texas health officials have requested five mortuary trailers from the federal government in anticipation of a possible spike in deaths brought about by surging coronavirus numbers in the state.
The Texas Department of State Health Services made a request Aug. 4 through the Texas Division of Emergency Management to the Federal Emergency Management Agency for five mortuary trailers, agency spokesman Douglas Loveday confirmed to The Washington Post, adding the request was made as a precaution. NBC News previously reported the state’s request for mortuary trailers.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/08/17/texas-mortuary-trailers-covid-surge/
Re. Gov. Abbott of Texas
‘a spokesman for Abbott said the governor is “fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in good health, and currently experiencing no symptoms.” Abbott also is receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment, the spokesman said’
Fully vaccinated and on the Regeneron, he’ll be allright Jack
sprocket_ says:
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 7:55 am
Do GOP voters get first preference on trailer accomodation
”
Unlike the great Prime Ministers, Scott Morrison will not be remembered for his achievements. Instead, he will be judged by his unwillingness to take responsibility and provide the necessary leadership to adequately respond to the principal challenges facing this nation, opines Michael Keating.
https://johnmenadue.com/scott-morrison-is-no-leader/
”
What achievements?
This guy is evil – looks after himself whilst his people are denied the basic protections…
AUSTIN (KXAN) — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has tested positive for COVID-19 Tuesday, the governor’s office announced in a release.
“Governor Abbott is fully vaccinated against COVID-19, in good health, and currently experiencing no symptoms. Everyone that the Governor has been in close contact with today has been notified. Texas First Lady Cecilia Abbott tested negative,” the release says.
Gov. Abbott is tested daily for COVID-19, the release says.
The release says the governor “is in constant communication with his staff, agency heads, and government officials to ensure that state government continues to operate smoothly and efficiently. The Governor will isolate in the Governor’s Mansion and continue to test daily. Governor Abbott is receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment.”
https://www.kxan.com/news/texas/texas-gov-greg-abbott-tests-positive-for-covid-19/
Interesting to see what attitude the High Court takes. Normally it will not participate in a court process while it is underway preferring to let a trial take its course and then deal with any appeal.
https://www.msn.com/en-au/news/australia/murder-trial-of-nt-policeman-zachary-rolfe-faces-further-delays-as-crown-seeks-high-court-ruling/ar-AANpkfx?ocid=msedgntp
Does anybody know the whereabouts of the Australian artist George Gittoes? He was living in Afghanistan (may still be there) and could probably give a good insight into what has happened there in the last week.
Taylormade – on your Gippsland travel plans (previous thread): if you haven’t been to Wilson’s Prom (or even if you have – multiple times) it’s a great option. Cape Conran is one of my favourites too, but possibly a bit too far east for your itinerary.
Inappropriate, when we know he’d rather let the virus run free.
NSW Police are aware of unauthorised protest activities planned for this weekend. Do NOT attend.
Public safety is our first priority and you will be fined or arrested if you turn up #StayAtHome
Scott Morrison has urged Australians not to be disheartened as lockdowns drag on for more than half the population amid persistent coronavirus outbreaks. …. if the Knob from Cronulla had done his job we wouldn’t need to be looking for the light at the end of his tunnel
”
Chritopher Knaus points to new data showing that thirty-four aged care facilities in New South Wales are currently in the grips of a Covid-19 outbreak or are under close surveillance due to recent cases.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/aug/18/covid-outbreaks-threaten-34-aged-care-facilities-across-nsw
”
I didn’t know that 34 aged care facilities in NSW are in the grip of COVID outbreak. Not a single MSM organisation revealed this info till now. This is huge because last year Victoria had over 700 deaths because of large outbreak in agedcare facilities. Only saving grace now is that people have a tool called vaccine.
Gladys or Chant or Health Hazzard did not give this kind of info to the media till now. They don’t give any meaningful breakup of anything anyway.
IMO, if NSW had Labor government now the coverage about agedcare facilities outbreak will be completely different. Let us see if media people ask Gladys about this in Today’s “Press Conference”.
Q: SMH .. “Scott Morrison has little control over Australia’s destiny or his own” Chris Uhlmann… total knob
So Morrison is just a helpless, powerless victim……poor little pet….maybe he should sit on a beach in Hawaii as the nation burns.
Vomit inducing again from Ullman.
lizzie @ #27 Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 – 8:07 am
” … I want to tell you the light is there.”
That’s completely meaningless arms raised, eyes rolling back, pastor speak from the double Pfizer jabbed bullshit artist in chief, babbling like some self appointed prophet.
Ven @ #30 Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 – 8:12 am
‘Let us see if media people ask Gladys about this in Today’s “Press Conference”.’
Let’s see if the moon lays an egg tonight.
C@t,
Around me, you are barely even are there is a lockdown. I am concerned at the number of children still playing on the equipment, although I know they are just incredibly bored. Last year in the initial shutdown the playgrounds were roped off.
I can understand why. He is trying so hard to be Australia’s Tucker Carlson. His ratbag opinion columns show a troubling insight into the person who is Nine’s fed political editor.
The worse things get for Scotty the more likely he is to win the next election.
The media won’t be able to resist running a Miracle Man 2.0 narrative throughout the campaign period.
”
”
Do you that guy sitting with tie and underpants. That is so true during this lockdown. Even the other picture is also very true.
”
”
In a nutshell.
Morrison’s presser yesterday could have been delivered from a Pentecostal pulpit, same tone, happy thinking, accentuating the positive…
Disconnected from the lived reality of many citizens.
”
”
🙂
What a creep Gov Abbott is. C.19 positive but seen without a mask addressing a number of supporters. He’ll most likely survive but many Texans won’t.
https://twitter.com/breakfastnews/status/1427756106948902912?s=21
Watch Katy Gallagher, a politician and a parent…
The worse the polling gets, the more churchy he becomes, the more churchy he becomes, the more insincere he sounds (if that’s possible). I think the bull shit will be wearing pretty thin by election time.
‘Assantdj says:
Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at 10:28 pm
I am not surprised that Victoria is ahead of the pack with indigenous vaccinations purely because of the size of the state. They don’t have to deal with the tyranny of distance.’
_________________________________________
There is less tyranny of distance in Tasmania and the ACT. Both have done less well than Victoria. Sydney has the single biggest Indigenous population in Australia. Zero tyranny of distance there. Half a dozen large Indigenous communities in the larger centres in the NT would get the NT above 50% quite readily. No tyranny of distance there.
Yes. People can chose to have short memories. Helped by the media they chose to read and watch. We wish it were different.
He is a long way from cooked. He is a slippery sucker with support in some powerful places (and slackness in others) so his failings havent been fully tied to the lockdowns now being experienced.
But the chinks are there. What happened in the fires and during Covid will stick in some peoples minds. Other issues are not going away – delaying an election till late summer has its risks. And… he cant escape being an incompetent leader of an incompetent government.
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sprocket_says:
Wednesday, August 18, 2021 at 7:55 am
On the Wapo website, underneath the Governor Greg Abbott has Covid item, is this story outlining the consequences of his policies…
‘Texas health officials have requested five mortuary trailers from the federal government in anticipation of a possible spike in deaths brought about by surging coronavirus numbers in the state.
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The Cuomosexuals in the media (like NYT and WO) never mentioned the overflowing mortuary trailers that were used and left in dark alleys of NY during last year’s Covid surge in New York because the NY governor Admin was afraid Trump will use it to his advantage. It only came out this year after Trump was defeated from power.
Ven @ #41 Wednesday, August 18th, 2021 – 8:11 am
Halle Berry in leather – who wouldnt.
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2021/08/17/world/covid-delta-variant-vaccine
Texas go Abbott tests positive for COVID19