I am deeply moved by this TV series on SBS on demand. 1973 – Salvador Allende, socialist leader of Chile is removed by a CIA-aided military coup. This I knew and of course I have read Pablo Neruda ! But I knew nothing about the unsung and invisible heroes from Sweden, Finland and East-Germany. Thousands of political prisoners were saved from sure death by the Junta thanks to a handful of fearless European diplomat individuals.
https://www.sbs.com.au/ondemand/program/invisible-heroes
“New South Wales Premier Gladys Berejiklian has become ensnared this week in the sensational ICAC hearings into alleged corruption by former MP Daryl Maguire — and suddenly finds her future very much in doubt.
In yesterday’s hearing, Maguire admitted to using his parliamentary office and resources to conduct private business dealings, including receiving thousands of dollars in cash as part of a visa scam.”
If NSW Premier Gladys B. now says: if she knew, that her close friend Daryl Maguire was pursuing illegal business practices, she would have reported it immediately, what does that tell us ? Clearly, if she is so naive to not see what Maguire – with whom she was in a close relationship – was doing, she clearly is unfit for the office of the premier of NSW. Of course, she must have known, but chose not to report it, because it would implicate her. Does this lady think, the public is stupid ?
OK, this story about Biden’s son’s computer is not only bizarre, it also does not make any sense. If Biden’s son has indeed provided access to his father for other people, would he then go and bring his computer with all the critical e-mails on it to a repair shop ? Of course not. This is a stunt and three guesses from where it came…
He is trying hard to produce valid criticism but it’s just not happening. Michael O’Brien – LNP Victoria opposition “leader” is doing a disservice to our nation at a time when we are struggling with the Corona Virus pandemic. All he can see is an opportunity to play party politics – instead of serving the country by making useful contributions. O’Brien’s grotesque stereotypical tirades are a mere spectacle unworthy of a democratic politician.
The reality is, that Daniel Andrews has taken the right decisions when a second Corona Virus wave hit Victoria and thereby he protected us from larger and more widespread harm. The statistic is clear proof of this. We stand behind Daniel Andrews as thankful and understanding citizens.
Is this the world we live in ? The Liberal Party Leader and Premier of NSW continues a relationship with a corrupt ex-politician and when it comes to light, she then just says: “Oh – I stuffed up.” How dangerously close is that to Donald Trump’s world ? Is that what we want for our country ?
“ICAC, which is investigating whether Maguire sought to monetise his position as an MP between 2012 and 2018, heard damaging tapped phones conversations between him and Berejiklian in which he spoke extensively of his lobbying on behalf of developers. He also talked about his concerns over his huge debts, which he said amounted to $1.5 million.”
Montesquieu (1689 – 1755)
This 1974 song by Ralph McTell is always relevant but especially now as some of us find it so hard to cope with a lockdown. We may feel lonely at times but real loneliness is something very different.
German chancellor Dr. Angela Merkel
Angela Merkel – Germany’s leader who enjoys worldwide respect and sympathy. She gave a most inspiring and sober speech on the current political work of the German government. She knows, she is not perfect and she does not hide this. Mrs. Merkel just states things as they are, not shying away or evading the uncomfortable. The world is a better place with women leaders like Angela Merkel.
When a nation is in an emergency, clearly, all leaders – irrespective of their political association – must stick together and support each other in order to protect the nation and to ensure that correct decisions are taken. A pandemic is not a time for for divisiveness and criticism and certainly not a time for pursuing political gains for individuals or for political parties. Leaders must lead and focus on the need of the hour and refrain from pursuing their self-interests.
Not so, with the federal government of Australia, run by the liberal party. While Victoria was still very busy fighting the spread of infections, Scott Morrisson saw it fit to exploit the situation for political gains. Instead of standing by Daniel Andrews he kept on harping criticism about matters that are neither urgent nor pressingly important at the current time marked by ongoing infections and fatalities. It is easy to be “clever” in retrospect with “should haves” and “why nots”. The need of the hour was to fight Corona and to take the right decisions. But instead of offering his support, Morrisson kept on distracting our busy Premier with inflated demands for easing lockdown, contradicting expert advice. And who is Morrisson to be critical here ? Has he not holiday-traveled to Hawaii when ferocious bushfires were raging in NSW ? An inexcusable and outrageous behaviour by the prime minister of a nation.
And now that Daniel Andrews’ hard and tireless work and his brave and focused strategy is very successful – in spite of all the back-biting by Morrisson & Co – there is no sign of recognition of the Victorian success by the liberal government.
No “well done” or “good on you”. How poor and childish is that ? True leadership by the federal government would be to set aside differences and work together towards what is the best outcome for the nation.
It is the nature of the virus to return and infect people. It can happen in any state – unannounced and suddenly. We see this just now in WA. Finger-pointing is never right. It reveals the dark and ugly abyss in the soul of the finger-pointer who does not know that he may tomorrow need the help from others.
Dete's Words and pics 