Has it ever worked, anywhere in the world, to criminalise genuinely-held, non-violent political beliefs? Doesn't this sort of thing usually create more tension rather than less? Does anyone *actually* have a persuasive roadmap for social cohesion?

The "White House staffer" who posted the disgustingly racist Obama meme:

even if you don't care about sports you gotta admit it's awesome that this guy had to hear to his face how the world feels about him

"the reaction from most of Australia, especially in the media, has proven once again the exceptional racism, hatred and derision that is reserved for Aboriginal people" Structural racism exhibit #7,984. #auspol

It simply can’t be d-

White racist literally threw a bomb at black people to kill them, apparently not a sufficient cause to have a moral panic, special envoy, national introspection, royal commission, terrorism declaration, new laws, 1,000 op-eds in The Australian. We're struggling to identify why that might be.

Just as American Society of International Law conference surely becomes shaky, there might by have to be discussions to move the #Jessup in the future.

This is relevant to the Royal Commission

When this blows over I might have to share some of the emails I’ve received over the days which really make me wonder why I am the one accused of hatred. There is deep unresolved trauma being spewed by some of these people and we cannot consent to living according to their warped reality.

It cannot not examine this

It’s going to be an interesting few weeks when the royal commission examines, as I suspect it will, the defraying of social cohesion caused by the organised censorship of writers, artists and employees across the country for daring to speak against an unfolding genocide

. @mollyjongfast.bsky.social RTYI - over 100 writers have now cancelled their appearance at the Adelaide Writers Week www.artshub.com.au/news/news/ad...

it really is something that no one affiliated or allied with trump seems to have any sense of how to use power with subtlety and finesse.

Vale American Society of International Law. Surely most international lawyers have said something negative about Trump on social media. And who wants to risk not being let into the country? Sad

the administration told consular officials to deny visas to anyone who might have worked in factchecking or content moderation.. accusing them...of being “responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the US”. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

when Soviets accidentally agreed, during drafting of the Additional Protocols, to grant ICRC full access & facilities in armed conflict, Indians warned them of this ‘serious error,’ given their shared objective to break ICRC ‘monopoly’ as a third-party supervisor (1975).

never has there been a solution looking more desperately for a problem than ChatGPT

Conor Gearty died a month ago yesterday. He was deeply committed to human rights law without idealising it. He recognised its power & value while acknowledging its limitations (& those of the people engaging with it). He was also an exceptional lawyer. This is a fitting final piece in the @lrb.co.uk

So it seems Hamas can’t find the bodies of remaining dead hostages because #Israel has destroyed so much of #Gaza, & in response Israel is going to starve Gazans again. www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...

The president went on TV to attack political opponents and blame them for the killing of Charlie Kirk, even though we don’t know who shot him. If there is anything this man can do to worsen the situation, he will do it. Despicable.

The modern ALP are very very bad at institutional partisan politics. It is in their BEST interests to massively EXPAND open government through FOI and concrete it in, because they govern in a way that more harm will come to the Libs then themselves. Plus it's good www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Hey @australia.theguardian.com - the synagogue arson attack is a newsworthy antisemitic hate crime. But why lead with a lecture from the butcher of Gaza? And neglect to mention that he has an ICC arrest warrant for war crimes and crimes against humanity? 1/2... www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

Television chef, author and artist Peter Russell-Clarke, known for his catchphrase "g'day", has died, aged 89.

We have entered the "The police is saying that if the police is at your door you are not safe call the police immediately" stage of making America great again

This is an egregiously shameful tweet from a US senator

“A deranged maniac impersonated a police officer and killed lawmakers but if you’re an immigrant be sure you immediately comply with plain clothes people who won’t identify themselves telling you to get in a van”, what a fuckin country

As millions of Americans protested at “No Kings” rallies across the country, onlookers gathered in Washington, D.C., on the president’s birthday for a muted celebration. Matt Eich documented the parade in photos:

The most consequential Speaker in state history.

Ooft ... www.theage.com.au/politics/vic...

“He was supposed to ruin your life, not mine!”

This is a great interview but man is it another remind of which journalists in the ABC gets the space and freedom to engage with this issue, and which get attacked, bullied, harassed and fired for even mentioning it on their social media. www.abc.net.au/listen/progr...

You may be fearing your 401k is no longer enough for you to retire. But with all the cuts to NIH and Medicare you also won't live as long. So the policies are integrated.

“We didn’t backflip Brian. We just gently and calmly walked back the policy to a point time where it didn’t exist”

Think about it: regardless of how he eventually publicly justifies lifting his stupid tariffs, until he does, the future of the world’s economy hinges on a narcissist admitting to himself that he’s been wrong for 40 years. Maybe stock up in canned beans or something

Apparently it is the ALP’s fault for forcing the LNP to drop the policy that they are also now apologising for having had in the first place. #abc730

News Analysis: President Trump's decision to send a high-powered U.S. delegation to Greenland, apparently uninvited, is already backfiring. Greenland has blasted him as “aggressive” and asked Europe for backup, and the visit is strengthening bonds between Greenland and Denmark.

Present posi

I’m quite anxious about this cyclone. It’s probably the biggest weather event I’ll experience in my life so far (tho I had typhoons as a kid in Asia, can’t remember) Am hoping Alfred just continues to drift east and the west turn doesn’t happen

Ah. ALP has announced a policy of not doing things to address the housing shortage. Good-o. There could be some clue there as to why they’re tanking in the polls

1/ The #CreativeAustralia decision to dump #Sabsabi is outrageous but also deeply weird. Why did they report it as unanimous when Larissa Behrendt wasn’t there? Why did Lindy Lee vote against her core values? Why was there nowhere for CA “to breathe”? www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...

The first resignations are in. Lindy Lee has left the Board; and Creative Australia's Head of Visual Arts, Mikala Tai, is also out. www.smh.com.au/culture/art-...

Sabsadi will be reinstated. Creative Australia Board will resign. Tony Burke will not, but will seem like and is a dickhead Anything else is surely intolerable to Australia’s art scene. It’ll destroy the Venice Pavilion Check mate. And never listen to the feral opposition or News Ltd again.

Amazing journalism

Social cohesion hey

DISEASES ERADICATED OR DECIMATED BY SCIENCE: 1. Chickenpox 2. Diphtheria 3. Measles 4. Pertussis 5. Pneumococcal Infection 6. Polio 7. Tetanus 8. Typhoid 9. Yellow Fever 10. Smallpox DISEASES ERADICATED OR DECIMATED BY RFK JR. OR PRAYER: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. 9. 10.

Boy have they fucked up

1/ Creative Australia has fucked up big time. They gutlessly cave to pressure from Opposition and News Ltd to dump Venice Biennale 2026 pick coz he’s divisive, and it could erode public support for the arts. WTF? Unlike your divisive decision which is eroding support for the arts right now?