Today this - https://www.news.com.au/national/why-australia-day-has-to-change-from-january-26/news-story/e9cc240a65f3da20ada71ef0dfae79ca

January 26 is not a day for celebration – that’s why news.com.au is campaigning to change the date of Australia Day, so we can celebrate the best country in the world, without leaving anyone behind.

This story comes to us from News Ltd's Jessica Wang, a junior who thinks this is a mainstream view - because all her friends on Twitter and from uni agree. 

And here's the story - ostensibly on behalf of Rupert Murdoch.

How long do you give it?

Questions are raised, and so they should be: As a country, can we really drink to national pride on a day that carries so much trauma, grief and suffering for our First Nations people?

“January 26 represents where it all started to change for our people for the worst, the beginning of intergenerational pain and suffering for our people,” says proud Butchulla and Gawara saltwater man, Isaiah Dawes.

The 28-year-old is the CEO and founder of Aboriginal-led mentoring program ID Know Yourself. The not-for-profit supports Indigenous children who are placed into out-of-home care, an experience that is very personal for Mr Dawes, who himself entered care at just two months old.

January 26 is not a day for celebration – that’s why news.com.au is campaigning to change the date of Australia Day, so we can celebrate the best country in the world, without leaving anyone behind.

The Prime Minister's wedding with Clarke Gayford is not going ahead for now in light of the Omicron outbreak.

👉 https://t.co/A6ck3gXRso pic.twitter.com/AmqCUWd5FN

— 1News (@1NewsNZ) January 23, 2022

I think you can summarise Putin's speech to the Valdai Discussion with the phrase "Never interrupt your enemy when he's making a mistake"

"Where are the humanitarian fundamentals of Western political thought? … What are the general ethical limits in the world where the potential of science and machines are becoming almost boundless? … Some people in the West believe that an aggressive elimination of entire pages from their own history, 'reverse discrimination' against the majority in the interests of a minority, and the demand to give up the traditional notions of mother, father, family and even gender, they believe that all of these are the mileposts on the path towards social renewal.

"Listen, I would like to point out once again that they have a right to do this, we are keeping out of this. But we would like to ask them to keep out of our business as well. We have a different viewpoint, at least the overwhelming majority of Russian society – it would be more correct to put it this way – has a different opinion on this matter. We believe that we must rely on our own spiritual values, our historical tradition, and the culture of our multiethnic nation.

"The advocates of so-called 'social progress' believe they are introducing humanity to some kind of a new and better consciousness. Godspeed, hoist the flags, as we say, go right ahead. The only thing that I want to say now is that their prescriptions are not new at all. It may come as a surprise to some people, but Russia has been there already. After the 1917 revolution, the Bolsheviks, relying on the dogmas of Marx and Engels, also said that they would change existing ways and customs, and not just political and economic ones, but the very notion of human morality and the foundations of a healthy society. The destruction of age-old values, religion, and relations between people, up to and including the total rejection of family (we had that, too), encouragement to inform on loved ones – all this was proclaimed progress and, by the way, was widely supported around the world back then and was quite fashionable, same as today. By the way, the Bolsheviks were absolutely intolerant of opinions other than theirs.

"This, I believe, should call to mind some of what we are witnessing now. Looking at what is happening in a number of Western countries, we are amazed to see the domestic practices - which we, fortunately, have left, I hope - in the distant past. The fight for equality and against discrimination has turned into aggressive dogmatism bordering on absurdity, when the works of the great authors of the past – such as Shakespeare – are no longer taught at schools or universities, because their ideas are believed to be backward. The classics are declared backward and ignorant of the importance of gender or race. In Hollywood, memos are distributed about proper storytelling and how many characters of what color or gender should be in a movie. This is even worse than the agitprop department of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Soviet Union.

"Countering acts of racism is a necessary and noble cause, but the new 'cancel culture' has turned it into 'reverse discrimination' – that is, reverse racism. The obsessive emphasis on race is further dividing people, when the real fighters for civil rights dreamed precisely about erasing differences and refusing to divide people by skin color. I specifically asked my colleagues to find the following quote from Martin Luther King: 'I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by their character.' This is the true value. However, things are turning out differently there. By the way, the absolute majority of Russian people do not think that the color of a person's skin or their gender is an important matter. Each of us is a human being. This is what matters.

"In a number of Western countries, the debate over men’s and women’s rights has turned into a perfect phantasmagoria. Look, beware of going where the Bolsheviks once planned to go – not only communalizing chickens, but also communalizing women. One more step and you will be there."

"Zealots of these new approaches even go so far as to want to abolish these concepts altogether. Anyone who dares mention that men and women actually exist, which is a biological fact, risks being ostracized. 'Parent number one' and 'parent number two,' 'birthing parent' instead of 'mother,' and 'human milk' replacing 'breastmilk' because it might upset the people who are unsure about their own gender. I repeat, this is nothing new; in the 1920s, the so-called Soviet Kulturtraegers also invented some newspeak believing they were creating a new consciousness and changing values that way. And, as I have already said, they made such a mess it still makes one shudder at times.

"Not to mention some truly monstrous things when children are taught from an early age that a boy can easily become a girl and vice versa. That is, the teachers actually impose on them a choice we all supposedly have. They do so while shutting the parents out of the process and forcing the child to make decisions that can upend their entire life. They do not even bother to consult with child psychologists – is a child at this age even capable of making a decision of this kind? Calling a spade a spade, this verges on a crime against humanity, and it is being done in the name and under the banner of progress.

"Well, if someone likes this, let them do it. I have already mentioned that, in shaping our approaches, we will be guided by a healthy conservatism. That was a few years ago, when passions on the international arena were not yet running as high as they are now, although, of course, we can say that clouds were gathering even then. Now, when the world is going through a structural disruption, the importance of reasonable conservatism as the foundation for a political course has skyrocketed – precisely because of the multiplying risks and dangers, and the fragility of the reality around us."

ENDS - there's fabulous analysis of Putin's speech here https://www.memri.org/reports/russias-new-conservative-ideology-counter-liberalism

...ordered the departure of eligible family members (EFM) from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action.

Do not travel to Ukraine due to the increased threats of Russian military action and COVID-19.  Exercise increased caution in Ukraine due to crime and civil unrest.  Some areas have increased risk.  Read the entire Travel Advisory.

Country Summary:

On January 23, 2022, the Department of State authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. direct hire employees (USDH) and ordered the departure of eligible family members (EFM) from Embassy Kyiv due to the continued threat of Russian military action. U.S. citizens in Ukraine should consider departing now using commercial or other privately available transportation options.

There are reports Russia is planning significant military action against Ukraine. The security conditions, particularly along Ukraine’s borders, in Russia-occupied Crimea, and in Russia-controlled eastern Ukraine, are unpredictable and can deteriorate with little notice.  Demonstrations, which have turned violent at times, regularly occur throughout Ukraine, including in Kyiv.

U.S. citizens in Ukraine should be aware that Russian military action anywhere in Ukraine would severely impact the U.S. Embassy’s ability to provide consular services, including assistance to U.S. citizens in departing Ukraine.  For more information, please review what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas.

The Department asks all U.S. citizens in Ukraine to complete an online form so that we may better communicate with you. This is especially important if you plan to remain in Ukraine.

Crimea – Do Not Travel

Russia occupies and has attempted to annex Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula, and there is extensive Russian Federation military presence in Crimea. Occupation authorities continue to abuse and arbitrarily imprison foreigners and the local population, particularly individuals who are seen as opposing Russia’s occupation of the peninsula. The U.S. government prohibits its employees from traveling to Crimea and is unable to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in Crimea.

Donetsk and Luhansk – Do Not Travel

Russia-led forces control areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts, where the ongoing armed conflict has resulted in more than 14,000 deaths. Individuals, including U.S. citizens, have been threatened, detained, or kidnapped for hours or days after being stopped at checkpoints controlled by Russia-led forces. The U.S. government restricts USDH from traveling to the eastern parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk oblasts and adjacent regions, which limits the ability to provide emergency services to U.S. citizens in these regions.

Crime targeting foreigners and property is common. Politically targeted assassinations and bombings have also occurred. There are reports of violent attacks on minority groups and police by radical groups.

COVID – Do Not Travel

Visit the Embassy's COVID-19 page for more information on COVID-19 and related restrictions and conditions in Ukraine.  Read the Department of State’s COVID-19 page before you plan any international travel.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a Level 4 Travel Health Notice for Ukraine, indicating a very high level of COVID-19 in the country. Your risk of contracting COVID-19 and developing severe symptoms is lower if you are fully vaccinated with an FDA authorized vaccine. Before planning any international travel, please review the CDC’s specific recommendations for fully vaccinated and unvaccinated travelers.

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) prohibits U.S. civil aviation from flying in the Dnipro (UKDV) Flight Information Region – Ukraine airspace that covers the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk. For more information, U.S. citizens should consult the Federal Aviation Administration’s Prohibitions, Restrictions and Notices.

If you are currently in Ukraine or plan to travel to travel there:

• Read the Department’s country information page:
• Familiarize yourself with information on what the U.S. government can and cannot do to assist you in a crisis overseas.
• Have a contingency plan in place that does not rely on U.S. government assistance. Review the Traveler’s Checklist.
• Visit our website for Travel to High-Risk Areas.
• Monitor local media for breaking events and adjust your contingency plans based on the new information.
• Ensure travel documents are valid and easily accessible.
• See the U.S. Embassy's website regarding COVID-19. 
• Visit the CDC’s website on Travel and COVID-19.
• Get a COVID vaccine to facilitate your travel
• Understand the COVID testing and vaccine requirements for all countries that you will transit through to your destination.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on Facebook and Twitter.
• Review the Crime and Safety Report for Ukraine.
• Avoid demonstrations and crowds.

Anyone else think this is a "small misdemeanour?"

Monday, 13 December 2021

The messy divorce of disgraced former federal politician Craig Thomson and his ex-wife Zoe has taken another ugly turn, with the one-time MP spending Saturday night behind bars after being charged with harassing her.

Thomson, 57, was arrested on Saturday afternoon and is accused of breaching an apprehended violence order taken out by police last December for the protection of his ex-wife, after he allegedly sent a volley of abusive and threatening text messages to her.

The father-of-three and Ms Thomson called an end to their ten-year marriage in 2020, before selling their lavish family home at Wamberal for $3.35 million in June.

But on Saturday afternoon Thomson presented himself to Terrigal Police Station where he was charged with allegedly breaching the conditions of his AVO on three separate occasions in recent weeks.

“At 4.45pm on Saturday, January 22, a 57-year-old man was arrested at Terrigal Police Station,” a NSW Police spokesperson said.

“He was charged with three counts of contravene prohibition/restriction and AVO.”

After spending the night in the cells Thomson faced Newcastle Local Court on Sunday and was released from custody on conditional bail.

Police took out the AVO against Thomson late last year after he allegedly sent a volley of harassing emails and text messages to his ex-wife as they go through a divorce.

In November he failed to appear in court to defend the AVO in early November and it was granted in his absence for a period of two years.

The new domestic violence related allegations against Thomson are just the latest charges to land him before the courts, with the one-time Labor MP also facing charges of being the “primary facilitator of a multimillion-dollar migration fraud”.

I’m crying 😂 pic.twitter.com/ujDUjQYEPI

— Benny (@bennyjohnson) January 21, 2022

Thank you Underminder.

AGE MAY WEARY THEM BUT DON'T PICK A FIGHT YOU WON'T WIN

No one should mess with real mates looking after mates - here's Ross.

THERE was a unique bond between the men who flew Australia’s early combat aircraft.

They trained hard, fought hard, played hard and on too many occasions in the primitive airframes they flew, died hard together.

The third spatial battlefield environment still is brutally unforgiving.

The bond was all based on trust with the occasional bit of superstition.

Lancaster crews would ritually have a final, nervous pee on their aircraft’s tailwheel.

Lucky charms tucked into a flying suit pocket, from a rabbit’s foot to a pair the local barmaid’s knickers.

Unlucky for the rabbit perhaps.

However the crews who were best placed to survive worked on practiced skills, trust and an absolute faith in their ground crew to keep their aircraft serviceable.

When and if they survived, lifetime friendships followed.

Take Townsville’s former Warrant Officer Kerry Shipp DFM and Wing Commander Jack Lynch as two perfect examples.

Jack is a flying legend, piloting in his career multiple types from Sabres to F111.

When Australia was looking to establish a helicopter capability to support Australian forces in Vietnam, Pilot Officer Lynch was a natural candidate.

Helicopter crews were a new mustering and there was much experimentation to find the right mix of pilot and crew.

Because aircraft might need to provide their own technical support while away from their home base, engine fitters were selected as crewman, including door gunners.

LAC Kerry Shipp was selected for crewman training and he and his fellow South Australian Lynch developing an easy but strong bond.

Jack relied on Kerry and the other technicians to keep the aircraft serviceable, they in turn as gunners and aircrew relied on the pilots to get them through their mission and home again safely.

It was a win all round.

Recently Kerry Shipp had two major operations within three days to remove huge melanomas from his chest.

He is stoic but not well.

With hospitals under pressure it seems beds for COVID patients are a higher political priority than difficult surgical cases.

Kerry has fought the good fight but been sent or elected to go home.

Jack Lynch is fighting to have his old mate receive whatever he needs to provide the care he, and, just as importantly, his wife need.

From his Brisbane home he has pleaded for those with influence to step in for a veteran in need.

Don’t expect him to give up the fight easily.

ENDS

Thanks to Vung Tau Ferry operator for the tip on this!

Mr Albanese threw his support behind Mr McGowan on Friday morning after the Premier overnight revealed he had scrapped plans to reopen to the rest of Australia from February 5.

“Mark McGowan has always made the right call based upon health advice and I support Mark McGowan’s decision,” Mr Albanese said.