JoNova
A science presenter, writer, speaker & former TV host; author of The Skeptic's Handbook (over 200,000 copies distributed & available in 15 languages).
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Statistics
Straight from the dept of blindingly obvious consequences
https://dailysceptic.org/2026/01/17/net-zero-is-slowing-growth-bank-of-england-warns/
260
Or negative growth is accelerating once you allow for price inflation.
150
And ignore underlying inflationary figures that will be included in following months
10
Mark Carney seems rather keen on Ties with China. Starmer seems all set to approve a mega Chinese embassy in the heart of London and Australia seems to be owned by Chinese interests.
https://slaynews.com/news/canadian-leader-vows-help-china-establish-new-world-order/
270
Yes. Many Labor/Green Australian current and ex politicians are far more loyal to China than our traditional allies like the United States and have business interests or “consultancies” with them during or soon after politics. Even KRudd, former PM and soon to be ex-Ambassador to the US hated TRUMP and loved China and will soon be the China specialist at the Asia Institute. It’s sickening watching our politicians grovelling to the Chicomms.
Australian Government subservience to China can be so extreme that in Victoriastan, a police station actually flew a Chicomm flag:
https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/news/its-a-police-station-honouring-a-police-state-outrage-as-melbourne-cop-shop-raises-chinese-communist-flag/news-story/7d59fc8558a59eec0693c26fb9dbf31c
190
And to make matters worse, for most of them it isn’t ideology, it’s just about money. That being the case, they should be tried for treason.
200
There may be some re-alignment coming….
Sometimes, it’s a little difficult to work out where you stand in Magaland.
83
Mark Carney knows that Xi is now a lame duck and the new broom is going to dismantle the CCP. Peace and prosperity beckons.
America owns more of us than China.
48
Don’t forget Canada – from G-AI..
70
Canada is a good partner.
https://www.dfat.gov.au/trade/trade-and-investment-data-information-and-publications/foreign-investment-statistics/statistics-on-who-invests-in-australia
37
We could benefit from their nuclear technology.
90
That is still up for debate, but in the limited time span I suggest Hele coal fired power stations are a better option.
Definitely make it an election issue, cost and efficiency and how long to build it. Swaying the electorate is going to be the biggest hurdle.
72
It seems uncanningly like battle lines being drawn.
40
Albo, Carney and Starmer, traitors selling out their respective countries, all of them on the CCP payroll.
292
Utter nonsense.
320
The Chinese have had deep claws into the ALP since the ’90s.
Sam Dastiyari is only the tip of the iceberg, which includes Keating and Carr, to mention just a couple at Federal level.
91
This has consequences for us all with additional tariffs being levied on countries that object to the US annexing Greenland.
Annexation or armed intervention would seem to give the green light to further action by Putin who has his eyes on the Baltic states and parts of Poland, China who have their eyes on Taiwan plus numerous islands in the Pacific which would substantially expand their territorial reach and includes ones currently owned by Japan and the Philippines and also have ambitions in eastern Russia. North Korea might be motivated to move against South Korea.
Canada is also still in the US headlights although they seem to have found new markets elsewhere after their fall out. Canada of course is in the way of the US having direct access to Greenland which is some 1200 miles from US territory. They previously had some 20 bases in Greenland and still have the one formerly called Thule. Might be best to negotiate a new defence agreement rather than deal with the consequences of annexation.
https://www.foxnews.com/world/protests-explode-greenland-amid-trump-takeover-push-we-not-interested-being-americans
134
TRUMP has no intention of taking over Greenland. His strategy was to get NATO to do their job of defending Greenland and the Arctic more generally, which are being eyed by the Chicomms and Russia. He succeeded in getting them to do that.
Explained in this article.
476
There are frequent military exercises in Greenland by Nato or a consortium of European countries involving troops, Planes and frigates.
These are the ones that happened in 2025
https://www.forsvaret.dk/en/news/2025/large-scale-exercise-in-greenland-with-nato-allies/
Trump previously threatened Tariffs against many of his allies and carried out the threat. My main point was that IF he carries out his threat over Greenland annexation that gives a green light for dictators all over the world to take their own action. The 10% tariffs threatened for 7 European countries are due to begin Feb 1st then to be increased to 25% a month or two later.
His loyal allies, including the UK have spent billions supporting the US in various wars since WW2 and lost thousands of troops. They are increasing defence spending, as Trump was right some years ago when he complained of their spending. Threatening Allies is not the right thing to do whilst giving the likes of Putin and XI an easy ride.
72
Apparently the last group of German military to arrive in Greenland soon left. I read elsewhere it was 44 hrs after arrival.
https://unn.ua/en/amp/german-military-personnel-left-greenland-early-without-explanation-bild
61
I don’t think so. Sanctions on Russia have been in place for years. China is facing tariffs and now Trump is cutting off their oil supply from Venezuela!
102
Neither Russia or China will worry much over the loss of oil supply from Venezuela
21
While Iranian oil flows freely.
20
Watch this space in 2026.
52
Something like”
From the Gulf,
to Comrade Xi,
Persian Oil,
Still flows free.
30
WHILE it flows freely …
20
“His loyal allies, including the UK have spent billions supporting the US in various wars since WW2 and lost thousands of troops. They are increasing defence spending, as Trump was right some years ago when he complained of their spending. Threatening Allies is not the right thing to do whilst giving the likes of Putin and XI an easy ride.”
The allies freeloading on Uncle Sam’s dime is the real problem. Sure, they have provided some support, but nothing compared with the mighty effort by the US in WW2, and Australia (as an example) has a dreadfully depleted military in modern times.
181
The UK spent £12 trillion in each world war. It practically bankrupted us. None of it was repaid by the countries we helped. America did not give away weaponry to us, it was lend lease.
The loan was finally repaid only a few years ago.hardly freeloadi
71
December 29, 2006. The total amount repaid, including interest, was approximately $7.5 billion. {so says the internet}
20
‘ … depleted military in modern times.’.
Our drones are state of the art, successfully deployed in the Ukraine war.
China has no intention of attacking Australia, so there are no enemies within cooeee.
The AUKUS contract for subs is a French farce, old technology.
There is a small group in Sydney making robotic mini subs, apparently receiving accolades from the military industrial complex.
11
Trump should employ Elon Musk to defend the US.
Probably 10% of the cost and 10 times more effective.
10
“The allies freeloading on Uncle Sam’s dime is the real problem.”
Absolute rubbish! Every country that buys oil allows America to ride on their backs for free. Since WW2 the Yanks have never had to work, they printed dollar bills and the world gave up their sweat and tears to buy them so they could trade internationally.
Those ‘dimes’ came from the rest of the world, they weren’t earned. America got richer and spent the money on their military so they could go out a rape the third world for their resources. Nothing new, Britain before them, France, Spain, Portugal, Holland… Its just so annoying that the Yanks try to pretend they aren’t doing it.
The West are just Yankee vassals, we do as we are told, and get the crumbs from the table. Propaganda keeps us quiet and occasionally the Yanks are astounded that the non-West hate them. The world is about to change…
21
Consider the tariffs a perpetual rental payment to the USA for its ongoing provision of security to the recalcitrant EU.
Next, Pres Trump will be inviting the EU to meet half the cost of the “Golden Dome” and have it rolled out across all NATO partners.
00
Russia isn’t dying the Arctic, they are much of the Arctic
20
So true. Russia has more than half of the Arctic Ocean coast.
https://www.grida.no/resources/7845
40
Over the years there were a lot more US bases in Greenland, but they were gradually withdrawn by the US in a cost cutting exercise.
So let us be honest, this has nothing to do with security and everything to do with a land grab.
511
It’s more likely a diversionary negotiating tactic to get the EU to up its ante on defence spending.
30
Defend Greenland from what?
11
tonyb,
You worry that Russia, China, North Korea all have dark expansionist thoughts and that these will be encouraged if the USA starts acting on *its* dark expansionist thoughts. It seems more likely to me that the USA joining in means added competition, and the Trump is a loose cannon story would tend to discourage the others (for the meantime).
National boundaries are a kind of equilibrium situation where neighbours have to sort it out. Balance of power counts far more than anyone’s sense of justice. There isn’t a worldwide “Land Titles Office” like here in NSW. NSW has a government, administration and enforcement powers to settle any disputes between neighbours. That works because the authorities are far more powerful than the individuals.
For most of our lifetimes the United States has, more or less, taken the international “policeman” role (for “the West”). But we’ve all seen that they have done so rather poorly — sometimes incompetent, sometimes corrupt — and recently the US has been backing out of it.
That seems generally a good thing, but it means each country needs to look to its *own* defence arrangements. Bit of waking up still to be done, and Greenland might serve as a suitable alarm clock.
In any case, I think it’s unlikely that Trump will have tanks rolling into Nuuk. How would you feel about it if Greenland had a vote and voted to be another US state. Despite the vox-pop interviews, I suspect quite a few Greenlanders might warm to the idea.
141
They do have dark expansionaty thoughts. Putin has specifically said he intends to recreate the Russian empire has made a sta.rt with Ukraine and has his eyes on the baltic states to the extent they have had to dramatically up their defences and change their way of life
If the supposed democratic leader of the west feels able to annex countries that is going to encourage dictators to do the same
I agree that the US has not been a good international policeman and countries need to look to their own defence. A good mechanism for that is Nato where by countries up their spending and pool their resources to deter enemies. I see very few greenlanders wanting to join the US.
45
Tonyb,
Indeed. What do you think I was referring to in that bit about balance of power counting for more than justice?
Let me put my earlier comment another way. It’s an old western, and the Sheriff has just quit. The townsfolk weren’t backing him up very well, and he hasn’t been shooting straight for quite a while. Better to go home and tend to his own interests.
Yes, that means the baddies may come and shoot the town up. Why should that worry him? He’s tougher than the townsfolk, and the baddies are unlikely to trouble him. The townsfolk have bother believing he can wear a black hat, so to demonstrate that he’s not joking, he takes a chunk of his neighbour’s land.
All very silly, but the rules based international order is just an idiotic fantasy. At the international level, the wild west — a settlement, but no sheriff — is a pretty close model. Sitting in the chapel singing Rock of Ages may not help very much when the baddies come to town.
51
” Sitting in the chapel singing Rock of Ages”??
Old (1970s) “folk / protest” song excerpt:
“Rock of Ages, cleft for me,
Let me hide myself in Thee.
When the bombers thunder past.
Shelter me from burn and blast.
Though I know all men are brothers,
Let the fallout fall on others.
50
I see USA working to control its part of the world by taking advantage of the resources held in the Americas. USA has lost Brazil to China and Carney is looking to take Canada in that direction.
Australia is essentially lost to China. At this point in time it hugely favours Australia but that cannot last. China’s improving standard of living may surpass Australia’s declining standard in due course so increasing Chinese influence may continue to be beneficial.
Greenland has strong social links to Denmark and I would be surprised if the locals want to be part of the USA. A recent poll show 6% sport that. United Airlines introduced a direct service to Greenland in October 2024. That might improve social ties between Greenland and USA.
My youngest son has toured Iceland and has some interest in visiting Greenland. I do not know why he has an interest in cold places.
40
Trouble is, in an effort to “shock” NATO partners into beefing up defenses, the US has inadvertently???:
– given President Putin, who the Mar-O-Lago accord members think is an OK chap, breathing space to continue his invasion, and
– given President Putin another reason to continue stating that re-armed and new NATO members on his borders are a direct threat to his existence.
Who knows what the non-elected Mar-O-Lago members have negotiated with President Putin? Why wasn’t the US Secretary of State involved in these direct negotiations?
Hard to know whether the consequences of these actions were unintended or not.
33
The US seizing the Western Hemisphere is a fiction.
‘The European Union and the Mercosur bloc of South American countries formally signed a long-sought landmark free trade agreement on Saturday, capping more than a quarter-century of torturous negotiations to strengthen commercial ties in the face of rising protectionism and trade tensions around the world.
‘The signing ceremony in Paraguay’s humid capital of Asunción marks a major geopolitical victory for the EU in an age of American tariffs and surging Chinese exports, expanding the bloc’s foothold in a resource-rich region increasingly contested by Washington and Beijing.
‘It also sends a message that South America keeps diverse trade and diplomatic relations even as US President Donald Trump declares dominance in the Western Hemisphere.’ (CNN)
34
“capping more than a quarter-century of torturous negotiations ”
Tell me again why we need politicians and Govts… Free trade just means getting Govts out of the way! ALL trade should be free, between peoples, companies and countries. Govt should not be involved at all, all they do is distort and corrupt it.
01
‘Free Trade’
Lovely idea.
Doesn’t work that way.
Theory is each side makes what they are good at, sells it to the other, everybody wins.
Truth is, one side can make things cheaper, better quicker, due to whatever structural setup exists at that time, and corners all trade. The other side of the free trade deal declines and collapses.
You want to maintain a functioning nation, you have to control this.
Unfortunately most Western two party governance, short terms democracy results in nest-padding politics and no long term national planning.
00
It’s frightening how fast Australia is degenerating at the moment.
And with the main Opposition party, the fake conservative Liberals utterly ineffective, and not even conservative, Australia is an effective One Party State.
Never have Australians’ rights and freedoms been removed at such a rate as at present although the process has been going on for decades.
The largest of the minor conservative parties, One Nation, are showing promise and booming in the polls, and a viable alternative to the ineffectual Libs, but are still yet to put up candidates in House of Reps seats.
The Left now totally dominate our institutions and politics. It looks like Rudi Dutschke’s “long march through the institutions” was successful.
I think the thing that really kicked things off was covid, with the associated removal of individual rights which were never returned, and the associated increased reliance on Government. Plus, due to the takeover by the Left of the educational institutions, and the general dumbing-down of schools and universities, many younger people don’t even consider freedom to be a valuable commodity.
Also, as Australia is now a micro-managed Nanny State, all these Nanny State laws require additional laws to be constantly added to them to patch the deficiencies of the previous laws, the process feeds on itself endlessly, with more and more bureaucrats enforcing more and more laws which they themselves often write for the politicians and which the politicians usually pass, not even having read them.
On top of that, never have the Left been so aggressive and dangerous, and increasingly so, reinforced by two tier policing and Government that turns a blind eye, e.g. the regular marches in support of Hamas terrorists but silence for the people of Iran etc..
Unfortunately, none of this will end well for Australia. When the Left take over, and become embedded, it’s very hard to extricate them and things degenerate very rapidly as happened in Venezuela and pre-Milei Argentina for example. Or a pre-TRUMP USA. It takes a special leader like TRUMP Or Milei to extract a country out of such a pit of doom. Australia doesn’t really have such a leader and the Australian political system doesn’t really encourage it.
Australians are kidding themselves if they think we aren’t going to end up in a pre-Milei Argentina or Venezuela type situation. It can happen here, just as it happened in those places, also once prosperous and free and which once had a bright future. Short of a TRUMP or Milei type leader, what happened there is bound to happen here.
602
Yes David, who was it that said you can vote your way into Socialism, but you have to shoot your way out !
420
Much of what you write seems very pertinent to the UK, too.
Sadly.
Auto
190
Yes. Leftism is a powerful, global, totalitarian movement supported by a vast slave army of “useful idiots”.
231
And the useful idiots are so full of self importance. Little do they know, since they know no history, that if they are ever successful in tearing down capitalism, their reward will be slavery along with everyone else. The Left never spend their own blood or treasure and the Left elite never share power or fortune with the slaves.
160
if they are ever successful in tearing down capitalism, their reward will be slavery along with everyone else.
Actually most of the “reward” will be claimed by the next generation. Which many on the left do not see as a problem since children are a hindrance and therefore not created.
30
The far right is fascist, a totalitarian movement that threatens the stability of the whole world.
On the other hand, centre right movements are productive and accepting of the democratic process and international law.
216
el+gordo:
Fascism is left wing. e.g. Mussolini. It is similar to extreme right types with loss of freedom. That is why Stalin signed up with the Nazi government.
Punishment and deaths for opponents
Military enthusiasm e.g. Italy, Germany, China, Argentina under the military.
120
If we focus on one successful Communist state, Vietnam is not Fascist?
01
Vietnam avoided becoming Fascist, yet still a repressive one party state.
https://cove.army.gov.au/article/kyr-vietnam-economy
10
No Fascism is a movement of the Left, not the right as has been discussed here many times.
Fascism was rebranded as of the Right by the communist/socialist Left after WW2 because they didn’t want to be associated with Mussolini or the National Socialists, who even the communists thought were bad guys.
Fascism and National Socialism are just variants of other Leftist ideologies like communism, Socialism, Maoism, Stalinism, Marxism, Trotskyism etc.. And they all hate each other.
Also see:
Journal of Libertarian Studies
Volume 25, No. 1 (2021): XXX–XXX
How and Why Fascism and (National Socialism)
Became the “Right”
Available free online.
190
If we ignore the ideology.
‘Fascism is characterized by support for a dictatorial leader, centralized autocracy, militarism, forcible suppression of opposition, belief in a natural social hierarchy, subordination of individual interests for the perceived interest of the nation or race, and strong regimentation of society and the economy.’ (wiki)
China and Russia fit the bill and they are not Communist.
112
Of course DJT doesn’t fit the bill
211
POTUS is an oligarch with ambition to become autocrat.
36
In support:
How the Left Rebranded Fascism as “Right Wing”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1783nxCCYCU (14 min video)
How and Why Fascism and Nazism Became the “Right” (38 pg pdf.)
“The truth is, Fascism and National Socialism have always been non-Marxian flavors of socialism and should occupy the right wing of the Left cluster on the political spectrum. Their placement on the ultra-Right wing is artificial, unwarranted, and was done as a pure propagandistic measure during the acute internecine struggle among
socialist currents.”
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/350425183_How_and_Why_Fascism_and_Nazism_Became_the_Right
80
Try telling this to the Neo Nazis.
36
Such a topsy turvey site, the Nazis were really Left (Dave’s favorite word) and only the sceptics know real science.
414
Yes, everyone else is really weird aren’t they?
90
Spot on
20
We known that Mussolini’s dad was a high ranking communist thug who thrashed Benito, so the lad developed a fascist gang.
Very novel and Hitler was impressed.
By the way, mixing atmospheric science with political economy is a no brainer. People might think you only come here to take cheap shots.
23
And NZ.
And Canada.
00
You ain’t kidding.
It’s so bad at UK universities that the UAE is no longer funding overseas studies at UK universities for fear that they will radicalize their kids.
Read that again …
A Persian Gulf Islamic monarchy thinks UK universities are too radical and doesn’t want their children marinating in their indoctrination factories.
Wild stuff.
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2026/01/09/uae-restricts-funding-students-britan-radicalisation-fears/
130
According to today’s newspoll in TheAustralian, the primary vote for One Nation has just passed the Coalition’s primary vote.
160
Years too late, but, Canada Federal Court has ruled that when Trudeau acted to criminalize protests by truckies against the covid mandates and subsequent debanking via “Emergencies Act”, it was not justified. Appeals to the ruling are barred.
AU might have a look.
Government loses appeal on use of Emergencies Act during Freedom Convoy
“This is an affirmation from the court that these are fundamental freedoms that Canadians have that were violated by the freezing of bank accounts, by the invocation of this act, by the by the banning of assemblies,”
https://archive.ph/tsRgV#selection-3965.0-3989.414
ruling: https://archive.ph/o/tsRgV/https://nationalpost.com/news/canada/liberal-governments-invoking-of-emergencies-act-during-freedom-convoy-unreasonable-unjustified-ruling
200
pffft…
Bit bloody late! Where were they in 2020? At least in America a Court can strike down a Govt ruling in a day or two, not years later, which makes them completely impotent and quite irrelevant.
20
Precedents set. Rule of Law. That the Westminster way.
Slow and steady.
00
The more things fall apart, the more they tighten the screws.
Maybe more inexperienced lying pollies, more govt departments and more “experts” will fix it?
Too late now and it can’t be “fixed” until the cycle runs its course anyway.
I don’t know why people struggle with this.
One can’t change the sunrise time tomorrow because you want to.
When it all collapses you can start again, no doubt with power-hungry clowns promising endless goodies under the xmas tree courtesy of your own taxes and money printing, but only if you vote for them as the other parties are all idiots.
91
>One can’t change the sunrise time tomorrow because you want to.
Here in the southern half of Australia we successfully managed to change the sunrise time. We adjusted our clocks and introduced Daylight Saving.
00
I agree with absolutely everything you say, David.
Except your assumption that any opposition to Israel’s brutal genocide and ethnic cleansing of Palestinians is simply support of Hamas.
48
There is no genocide or ethnic cleansing.
The simple fact is that Israel has been attacked by its Arab neighbours some seven times in the last 78 years – leaving aside the 1st and 2nd Intifadas.
The Arabs are genociding themselves with their Islamic Jihads.
42
Based on decades of close observation and conversations in my opinion today in politics Australians are suffering from leftist influence and in the Labor Party example domination by the far-left factions, as compared to the more sensible Labor Right being centre-left factions.
The Coalition of Liberal and National have their own left, many refer to LINO left being Liberal In Name Only, positions varying and somewhere left of Labor right factions. Unlike Labor far-left dominance the the Coalition I believe the two sides are close in numbers. An example was 2014/15 when PM Abbott tried to have the BoM audited independently following advice by letter from scientist Jennifer Marohasy and colleagues to the Minister. The LINO left managed to stop it from proceeding by a very close voting majority.
It seems that woke coupled to international United Nations many organisations politics and other including climate change influences the majority of Australian politicians, Greens, Labor, Liberal, National.
51
‘Based on decades of close observation and conversations in my opinion today in politics Australians are … following the normal path of any democracy where you can vote your hand into someone else’s pocket!
Its human nature, so how can it be otherwise? The Left offer more bribes to voters so everyone moves Left. They represent most of the people. The right offers hard work and reward, well, who wants that? You can get enough reward without the hard work from the Left, so teh Right represent the few people who produce and drive the economy.
But they keep telling me democracy is the best form of Govt…
20
Most people don’t know the existence of three similar-looking types of screws, Phillips, JIS and Pozidriv let alone identifying them.
I find it interesting that IKEA, that pride themselves on being constructor friendly, use Pozidriv screws in some items but make no mention of it in the manuals. A Phillips head screwdriver in a Pozidriv screw will cam out and won’t allow the screw to be properly tightened. And very few people will own Pozidriv screwdrivers anyway.
170
I bought some IKEA outdoor furniture last year. It was very high quality, came with easy to read instructions and a full tool kit for assembly. I have a good opinion of the brand.
20
I’m not knocking the brand Lawrie, just noting an omission in the instructions that people should use a Pozidriv screwdriver (where applicable). Most will try to use Phillips as few people know the difference.
I have about 40 IKEA bookshelves for my book collection. I do like them.
41
I expect most will use the tools/toolbits provided.
Early IKEA stuff was quite flimsy. They did supply small tubes of glue that some people (my sister-in-law) did not see the need for. I repaired a number of cabinets where bottom panel had dropped out because they were able to bend under load and pull out of grooves.
If you buy screws in packaged quantity, they often come with suitable toolbit to use with power tools. There are hundreds of different driver bits.
10
IKEA does not provide Pozidriv bits, at least not in anything I have bought. They have provided Allen keys on items that use Allen screws.
21
I have a master screwdriver kit with around 130 bits, covering flat, phillips, pozidriv, torx, hex, tri-point, tri-angle, tri-wing, spline and security, but no JIS…
Most people will never see a JIS screw unless they have a japanese bike.
20
Or most Japanese cars, electronics and machinery. And just about anything made there.
A Phillips screwdriver will not work well in a JIS screw but a JIS screwdriver will work well with a Phillips screw.
10
JIS?
Bunnings – nothing
Mitre 10 – nothing
Repco – nothing
Supercheap – nothing
Jaycar – nothing
Altronics – nothing
Just have to use the best fit phillips bit!
/or go to a bike shop.
10
I like the Japanese made Vessel brand of screwdrivers, all types. From Rhino Tools or Amazon. They do sell a JIS set.
20
Well…it turns out JIS isn’t a fastener type but a Japanese standard, like the western ISO.
A JIS screw doesn’t really exist but is just a colloquialism in the same way an “Allen key” is a hex key but the maker is the Allen company or Velcro is in fact “hook & mesh” tape but the company is called Velcro.
So…most *decent* phillips screwdrivers should be ok to use with JIS standard fasteners.
But it gets deeper still. Read more here:
https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/threads/tekton-technical-article-jis-vs-phillips-understanding-tip-geometry-myths-and-fastener-compatibility-nov-2025.552523/
21
Oh, the humanity. Probably leftists.
47
Nothing to do with it. Just a curious oversight I am pointing out.
20
Most people don’t know it! What do they teach kids in schools these days??? I weep for the future.
26
That we’re destroying the planet but can fix it with more taxes.
That men can have babies.
That we’re all equal (but not that some are more equal than others)
But not taught the difference between a JIS and Phillips screw! 😆
Hint – JIS is just a less rounded Phillips so cam out is reduced a lot. Plus a tiny dot or indent on the head of a JIS fastener to identify it.
50
According to the link you provided, the dot on a JIS fitting has nothing to do with the head.
10
And your problem with sharing information as most people do on this site is what, exactly?
40
The Left also pushed the woke metric system.
34
Those born at the turn of the century can’t see it, but maybe you can.
Snow falls in the Florida Panhandle and Alabama
ABC News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rEjnKMgwVAM
120
Back in the day, I remember pictures in TIME Magazine of pictures of icicles on Florida orange orchards and destroyed crops.
Not “unprecedented”.
There was snow in Miami in 1977 for example.
And several big freezes throughout the 1980’s.
And the earliest freezing “white frost” was recorded in Florida in 1765 and a snowstorm in 1774 and many other similar events.
Didn’t they tell us “global warming” would cause it to never snow again so make sure your children see snow before it no longer occurs?
It’s all very difficult for warmists, who have a “staticist” view of the world as never changing, to understand.
And now they try to claim that cold is due to “global warming” as well.
Idiots.
See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Snow_in_Florida
120
There were quite a few snow events in the 1980s including 1989.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/December_1989_United_States_cold_wave
The UK also had 3 or 4 cold and snowy winters in the 1980s.
50
A very small dose of the future.
The difference between the lower latitude maximum sunlight and the higher latitude minimum sunlight is currently higher in the Southern Hemisphere than the Northern Hemisphere. For example 10S max minus 40S min is 305W/m^2 while 10N max minus 40N min is only 276W/m^2 at the present time. It is this difference that drive poleward advection of warm air that carries the moisture producing snow.
The difference is both hemispheres is trending up but NH at 0.5W/m^2/century and SH only 0.15W/m^2/century. Eventually the SH will trend down while the NH upward trend will accelerate.
This boreal winter has above trend difference in sunlight so above trend snowfall. Lots of new snowfall records particularly in high latitude coastal regions.
Japan experienced heavy snow last week. As did Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula:
A powerful winter storm has paralysed the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia’s Far East, burying streets and homes under massive amounts of snow. In the city of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, at least two people have died after snow fell from rooftops and trapped them, reported
https://www.msn.com/en-in/money/news/video-snow-covers-second-floor-apartment-of-high-rise-building-in-russias-kamchatka/ar-AA1UqU6h
The snowfall eventually gets so intense on high ground that it does not melt from year-to-year and glaciation sets in.
So far only Greenland plateau has notable negative thinning.
The NH is warming as it does every 23ka or so but this time there is very little ice on the ground compared with last time it increased. You need to go back 120ka to see the current climate situation in its historical context.
https://i0.wp.com/wattsupwiththat.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/image-57.png?w=945&quality=75&ssl=1
60
On January 28 1986, the overnight minimum was -8C at Cape Canaveral. A challenging day.
50
I see what you did there.
30
Yes. A tragedy. Hopefully the lessons were learned.
Bill Rogers and Richard Feynman (and others) did an excellent job with the investigation.
I notice no one blamed “climate change” at the time (or since), just the usual string of engineering and management issues that usually lead to such tragedies.
30
Does anyone know what has happened to Michael Smith
and Michael Smith News?
70
Not sure, but i did read/view a report of his, yesterday, on FBook about the fires in NSW solar farms ?
10
Australian journalist Michael Smith has described his final days in Shanghai before being returned to Sydney as tensions between China and Australia boil over.
Just a snippet from a web search.
11
you can find him on X……Michael Smith News………don’t think his website is coming back ???
30
Thanks Froggy.
Miss his blog.
10
For Australians who need to know the parlous state of our bureaucracy, and for our overseas friends who think we are stupid, watch the following.
https://youtu.be/Dn7NNMgnOyk
Senator Canavan has been almost a loner in holding this socialist government to account over the cost of Net Zero. Government make policy but don’t rely on the modelling. Bureaucrats do modelling but leave out the important details. One wonders why we pay any of these turkeys.
170
These bureaucrats do not know or care about the people of the real world. Their core competence is incompetence. They can spin this scam out for years so they can be secure in their cushy little unproductive jobs until it’s time for them to take their taxpayer funded pensions.
Like many here, I dare say. I have seen this at first hand and have been close to losing my rag with some of them to the point where I had to stop engaging with them. I don’t know how Matt Canavan can keep calm around these inept, lazy, smugly superior parasites driving around in their publicly funded car pool battery toy cars to get to their next long winded lunchtime meeting to discuss the agenda for their next long winded lunchtime meeting. Not the Australia we all knew and loved.
190
Should have been a comma after the word ‘say’ above. Funny how such a small thing can change the reading.
50
Almost alone, but not quite…
Malcome Roberts (Sen, QLD) , is also persistent and vocal in questioning the Net Zero policy.
151
And Malcolm Roberts has been at it a lot longer. And at the core – Climate Change™, which the NetZero nonsense aims to fix.
Hopefully Roberts will be around long enough to bring the CSIRO to account for their vandalism of the Australian economy.
171
FWIW
“The Problem with ‘Peer Review’ ”
“In May 2017 a sculpture was displayed at the Moscow Higher School of Economics, believe it or not, in honour of the great secular-rational god Peer Review. The sculpture takes the form of a die displaying on its five visible sides the possible results of review — “Accept”, “Minor Changes”, “Major Changes”, “Revise and Resubmit” and “Reject”.
Peer review. What is it? Why does it matter? Where did it come from? How old is it?
A fairly solid academic article – Noah Moxham and Aileen Fyfe, ‘The Royal Society and the Prehistory of Peer Review, 1665-1965’, published in The Historical Journal 61 (2018), pp. 863-889 – begins with an untruth stated by the House of Commons committee on Science and Technology in 2011.
In one form or another, peer review has always been regarded as crucial to the reputation and reliability of scientific research.
Always? Fact-check: False. It’s a lie, or an error. Apparently, many people think that peer review was invented in the 17th century. Not so. Let me summarise Moxham and Fyfe’s findings:”
More at
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/01/18/the-problem-with-peer-review/
61
Concludes
“And if that was not pithy enough, here is Eric Voegelin, one of those great émigre scholars who went to America. This is from Robert B. Heilman and Eric Voegelin: A Friendship in Letters, 1944-1984, p. 312:
If you place money in the hands of academic mediocrities, it will hardly improve scholarship or advance science, but rather increase the social power of mediocrity.
I doubt Maxwell intended that. We might blame him for it: but it was a consequence of what he and others did, not what they actually wanted from the system.
The truth of ‘peer review’ was that it was the means by which bureaucratic controls were imposed, indeed, self-imposed, on intellectual activity. That is it.”
31
Peer review keeps highlighting that the sceptic’s alt science lacks the evidence.
Long live the scientific method.
16
Peer review keeps highlighting that… these people agree with you.
That is all, no more or no less. I’m sure anyone could find someone to agree with them, or others to disagree, but there’s nothing scientific about that. I’d say there is no science until after the paper has been published, reviewed or not, and other scientists try to reproduce the results.
The system of peer review has been shown to be completely corrupted in the last decade.
30
FWIW – this and that?
“‘A Bombshell’: Doubt Cast on Discovery of Microplastics Throughout Human Body”
“Exclusive: Some scientists say many detections are most likely error, with one high-profile study called a ‘joke’
High-profile studies reporting the presence of microplastics throughout the human body have been thrown into doubt by scientists who say the discoveries are probably the result of contamination and false positives. One chemist called the concerns “a bombshell”.
Studies claiming to have revealed micro and nanoplastics in the brain, testes, placentas, arteries and elsewhere were reported by media across the world, including the Guardian. There is no doubt that plastic pollution of the natural world is ubiquitous, and present in the food and drink we consume and the air we breathe. But the health damage potentially caused by microplastics and the chemicals they contain is unclear, and an explosion of research has taken off in this area in recent years.
However, micro- and nanoplastic particles are tiny and at the limit of today’s analytical techniques, especially in human tissue. There is no suggestion of malpractice, but researchers told the Guardian of their concern that the race to publish results, in some cases by groups with limited analytical expertise, has led to rushed results and routine scientific checks sometimes being overlooked.”
More at
https://hotair.com/headlines/2026/01/18/a-bombshell-doubt-cast-on-discovery-of-microplastics-throughout-human-body-n3810957
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About Magda Szubanski’s plea agains fake Youtube advertising –
If fhe governments and $$B-social media houses can not stop fake Albanese promoting a criminal scam, my under-16 grandson could do it for us, and he is not the best “coder” in his school.
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FWIW
“Chinese Solar Manufacturers Report Major Financial Losses”
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2026/01/18/chinese-solar-manufacturers-report-major-financial-losses/
60
“here is mounting evidence of “zombie lending” in China, banks rolling over bad loans to unprofitable firms and allowing the status quo to continue rather than recognize losses.”
Copying the Americans.. Good ol’ Federal Reserve printing money flat-out to keep companies alive that should have died years ago. Reminds me of Holden and Ford living off the taxpayers for years..
00
FWIW –
“Oh Canada”
“HHS Warns Canada’s Assisted Suicide Organ Donation Pipeline Crosses Ethical Red Lines”
https://hotair.com/headlines/2026/01/17/hhs-warns-canadas-assisted-suicide-organ-donation-pipeline-crosses-ethical-red-lines-n3810952
40
People do realise, don’t they, that donated “organs” cannot be used from bodies that are not alive.
50
Did not know. I just assumed that organs were taken within a certain period of death that meant the organ was still viable.
So how do they harvest organs from someone who is dead while they’re not dead?
40
This was and remains the ethical dilemma with heart transplants! How can a person be declared dead when their heart is still beating?
In China they worry even less about these things.
41
The time frame for harvesting organs after death varies by organ; for example, the heart and lungs must be transplanted within 4-6 hours, while the liver can be viable for up to 12 hours, and kidneys can last longer.
So says the internet.
40
There seems to be some (deliberate?) muddying of the facts on a straight query on this topic
Asked differently “How long after circulatory death may organs still be harvested for transplant?”, the answer is “minutes!”
See the last line of the reply below.
The organs once harvested and maintained have a range of useful transplant window times.
Withdrawal to Death (Warm Ischemia): The patient must die (heart stops) within about 60-90 minutes of the ventilator being removed for donation to proceed, as prolonged low blood flow damages organs.
Declaration of Death: After the heart stops, there’s usually a mandatory 2-5 minute period (asystole) to confirm circulation has permanently ceased before death is declared and surgery starts.
Organ Specificity:
Liver & Pancreas: Maximum warm ischemia (time from death to cold perfusion) often around 30 minutes.
Lungs: Around 90 minutes warm ischemia.
Kidneys: More resilient; can tolerate longer warm ischemia and remain viable for much longer (up to 24-36 hours) once cold preservation begins.
Rapid Procurement: Everything from family consent to surgery must happen quickly (minutes) to preserve organ quality.
10
Yes, I looked into this and decided against registering as an organ donor.
I’m not sure of th scientific accuracy, but find it all very disturbing.
Is the term “Brain Dead” a lie? Dr. Byrne explains:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ieQ2TLbOZ-w
A father holds doctors off at gunpoint to save son:
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_WWj6vAmBZY
61
There was a reason they tied a string to the corpse and had someone sit in the graveyard over-night listening for the bell to toll…
10
Volvo EX30 ( electric car) recall due to battery fire risk:
The interim instruction is as blunt as it gets: keep the battery charge below 70 per cent and park as far away from the house as you can.
Owners paid for a 100 per cent car and are being told to live on 70 per cent for an unknown period of time.
130
Never buy an electric car!
Apart form the fire risk the downsides are many:
Higher cost and Depreciation
higher insurance cost
no spare wheel
more expensive tyres
heavier – more damage to the roads
Poor resale value
Stick to what works – petrol and diesel.
150
Mostly true but…
Spare wheels are included with “some” EV models.
And many ICE s do ot carry spare wheels either !
Weight of the best selling EV Tesla Y is 2005 kg,…
… compared to the best selling Australian vehicle , Ford Ranger at 2440 kg !
Tyre prices are related to size and supplier much more than the type of vehicle.
A Ranger tyre could cost more than the Tesla Y tyre.
( cost a tyre for a BMW X6if you want a scare )
10
So basically the makers are telling you to park your potential fire bomb near someone else’s house?
120
https://www.drive.com.au/news/2024-volvo-ex30-recalled-in-australia-over-fire-risk/
30
I understand that all manufacturers recommend not charging more than 80% of capacity, and not discharging below 10-15% however that is controlled by the management system.
And best batteries service life results from trickle charging, but that takes considerable time to achieve. Fast or rapid charging regularly shortens batteries life.
EV are far too inconvenient to drive every day, especially for country travels.
40
Copied from Quora Digest.
220
Yes, self serve petrol stations so prices would come down, self serve grocers, so the prices could come down, pay electronically so prices could come down etc, etc, etc,
When the assistant asks me to “use” the electronic system I ask how long they will have their job when they are not required. Being a grumpy old man, I use cash, people have to be employed, I write cheques, people have to be employed, I push the supermarket trolley to my car and leave it in the farthest trolley bay, people have to be employed.
The quick, safe, secure electronic world is anything but and the only people employed can be low paid workers in third world call centres. I will continue to be out of step with ‘progress” for as long as possible.
120
And no prices have come down.
70
Well most of the Australian posters are probably safe for a while since the kiosks can not verify the validity that your Seniors card is valid for obtaining the free coffee with a burger
50
Yup. I refuse to use these stupid self-serve kiosks, not that I go to burger joints much anyway.
My local HJ’s had menu screens (before self serve) but they’d cycle to the next list of items as you were perusing it. Stupid management.
Then the food looks nothing like the photos anyway, is small, badly presented, lacking flavour and overpriced.
Greg from Greg’s Kitchen on uselesstube takes a measuring tape and scales for every joint he reviews so you can see how much you’re not getting. 😆
60
Yes, I walk straight past them. I know what I want (and there’s only a small amount of McDonald’s offerings that I find palatable).
I’ve always been served promptly and politely.
30
Another EV tale..
I recently had a visit from a friend with a newly acqired EV. Wanting to recharge for the returnjourney we sought out a local fast charger (75kW, nearest 20 km away !)
The process was farsical, having to download the necessary app for the appropriate service, set up an account for payment ( requiring a google email ….with password) ,to verify identity, ..
…..all before enabling connection to the charger.
It took 3 intelegent adults almost an hour, an two different chargers, before being able to start charging. We thought we must be doing something wrong, but two other EV owners were also going through similar experiences whilst we we at the charge stations !
Things were not helped by the charge points being in an underground shopping center car park, which made the necessary mobile phone connections somewhat unreliable !
All in all, a further warning to avoid EV ownership at least until the support network becomes practical an user friendly.
170
Your friend is brave to have travelled beyond his range from home base and known infrastructure.
EVs are still glorified shopping trolleys. Not fit for covering any useful distance other than local trips.
90
Dear Fellow sufferers,
This is an appeal for more knowledgeable persons to perhaps help me find, in my naivety, what should be a straight forward temperature record data find, as I confess to being unable to have much success.
On researching my family history, I found that my Grandmother died at a young age in January 1919 in the town of Coonamble in the NW of NSW.
On reading the Coroner’s report into her death, there was mention of a contributing factor of ;
“the excessive climatic heat the day of death.”
Thus, wanting to find out what this heat may have been, I thought that I would go to the BOM site and call up the daily temperature records for January 1919. First hurdle, Coonamble did not have any weather data for that year.
Ok , so what about nearby towns, well it appears that for this area at this point in history the BOM in its current $ 1.2B dollar pa. Budget has not been able to “digitise “ the records.
What? They cannot scan the paper records into a data base so that we the great unwashed can inspect them day by day? Ok I do not expect that their budget would run to employing clerks to do transcribing the numbers. Instead , their recommendation is to go to the TROVE newspaper records , find an appropriate District newspaper, and scan the publication/s for your desired data.
Ok , so trying to find published newspapers of the time that publish temperature data , I came across
a Bourke publication that listed for the town ,
January 1919
Tuesday 14th 103 F
Wednesday 15th 95
Thursday 16th 99
Friday 17th 106
Saturday 18th 101
Sunday 19th 108
Monday 20th 112
fair enough, but Bourke is 350Km from Coonamble, so my question is, does anyone know of a more satisfactory way of getting temperature data for this area in this tme period..
Cheers
30
Have you looked at Trove?
https://trove.nla.gov.au/
30
If you can’t find records see if you can find local newspapers close by and search on them
10
The article numbers verses the BOM’s ‘Bourke Post Office’ numbers. (bracketed Farenheit number is using online conversion C to F)
January 1919
Tuesday 14th 103 F – BOM 37.8 (100)
Wednesday 15th 95 – BOM 33.9 (93)
Thursday 16th 99 – BOM 31.7 (89)
Friday 17th 106 – BOM 36.1 (97)
Saturday 18th 101 – BOM 42.8 (109)
Sunday 19th 108 – BOM 39.4 (103)
Monday 20th 112 – BOM 37.8 (100)
BOM has the 6th as 45 (113), 13th 44.4 (112), 24th 44.4 (112)
Obviously this is Bourke and not what you wanted. But thought the comparison of BOM’s numbers with a notable difference to the article you found for Bourke as interesting.
http://reg.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=122&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_startYear=1919&p_c=-461043681&p_stn_num=048013
FWIW –
Walgett is a bit closer. Temperatures lower than Bourke.
http://reg.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=122&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_startYear=1919&p_c=-541334983&p_stn_num=052026
Gunnedah
http://reg.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=122&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_startYear=1919&p_c=-605500153&p_stn_num=055023
Moree
http://reg.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=122&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_startYear=1919&p_c=-562366593&p_stn_num=053027
Not many stations digitised from that era within 250km
These station variances validate your hesitancy to adopt numbers not in the vicinity of Coonamble.
Hopefully someone can point you to an easily accessible record.
50
Thanks for the advice, much appreciated.
00
There’s this article referring to Craig Kelly (former Lib MP) who tracked down records for Bourke because the BOM was ignoring some recorded records.
There’s this paragraph:
https://www.realclimaterecords.com.au/?p=5138
Given it refers to temperature recordings at Coonamble for that era then maybe they exist for what you need.
And maybe it does require a visit to the National Archives. Worth ringing them to see if they have them or if you can browse for yourself. I believe bookings are required for visits so you’d need to call them for that anyway. (Did that for records for a school reunion / school history once) Offices in each state. Don’t know if weather is kept by state for that state, or one location for a national storing.
Jo also did a blog article on the Craig Kelly temp records theme.
https://joannenova.com.au/2020/07/hottest-day-recorded-and-deleted-in-australia-was-51-7-in-bourke-in-1909/
Which shows Craig at the National Archives.
One thing about getting the numbers yourself from the hand written records of the day; they will be the actual recorded temperature and not some homogenised/modified number the BOM decides to put into a digital record.
50
Walgett is the nearest location (103km) that I can find to Coonamble.
Jan 1919 was warm as most years but not exceptional. There were a few Das above 40C and highest of 41.7C. The monthly record is 49.2C.
https://www.bom.gov.au/jsp/ncc/cdio/weatherData/av?p_nccObsCode=122&p_display_type=dailyDataFile&p_startYear=1919&p_c=-541334983&p_stn_num=052026
The influenza pandemic had reached NSW by 1919 and schools in Sydney and NSW had late start to the year due to government ordering them to stay closed. There were 6,000 deaths in NSW attributed to influenza. Some detail on pandemic here:
https://lant.nt.gov.au/system/files/uploads/stories/resources/2020-05/D2_SLV-Australian%20Perspective.pdf
The recorded deaths for the pandemic in Australia were very low in January 1919 but there was no internet then and news travelled a little slower.
There was no recorded rain in Walgett from 2 Dec 1918 till 20Jan 1919. So the very dry conditions would make for harsh winds. Dehydration will be a serious risk particularly if water was short.
Walgett formed its first fire brigade in 1908 so bushfires were a feature of the area. Building were lost to fire in 1914. Smoke can make breathing difficult if it is in the local air.
30
Would someone like to parse this one for me?
I’m not seeing it :-
https://www.gocomics.com/doonesbury
00
Just lefty handwringing at the unwinding of their grift
10
Thank you.
I thought that was the case.
Shame.
00
Thomas Sowell quote:
100
30 Thomas Sowell quotes
https://fee.org/articles/30-priceless-quotes-from-the-great-thomas-sowell/
40
FWIW
““WELL, HERE YOU HAVE IT–THE EXACT MOMENT WHEN THE ARABS DECIDED TO INVENT A ‘PALESTINIAN PEOPLE’ FOR THE PURPOSE OF DESTROYING THE STATE OF ISRAEL:” ”
https://x.com/Shoshana51728/status/2011825118817947745
https://instapundit.com/770271/#disqus_thread
50
So! I’m older than the first Palestinian!
70
Coincidently, the first Hebrew state delegation to European Courts is documented at 1524 in Venice, there are some interesting books about its fate.
(First delegation – not first State !)
From my point of view first Ukrainian (mini-)state Zaporozh’e existed from 1500 (roughly) about half-century before first Russian Tsar Ivan the Terrible was crowned (16/01/1547)
The German identity must have existed before Bismarck, and on, and on…
However, the Palestine birth year must have been 1964 when Y. Primakov selected Ahmad al-Shukayri (PLO) over whatever his name..? yes – George Habash, and even Fatah…
Of course few “locally-focused” Arabs lived there under Turks and Jordanian Kings but no Nation exists without a serious budget and at least few tanks.
10
THE EXACT MOMENT WHEN THE ARABS DECIDED TO INVENT A ‘PALESTINIAN PEOPLE’ (August 1960: https://x.com/Shoshana51728/status/2011825118817947745)
Nope, they certainly existed before then:
… modern Palestinians have significant Canaanite DNA, with studies indicating they derive up to 87% of their ancestry from ancient Bronze Age Levantines, relating to Canaanites.
ie, people changed religions (some became Jews), but the people remained.
Rulers, over 4,000 years:
Canaanites > Egyptians > Jebusites > Israel/Judah > Assyrian > Babylonian > Persian > Macedonian > Hasmonean > Roman > Byzantine > Persian > Byzantine > Rashidun > Ummayyad > Abbasid > > Seljuk > Crusaders > Ayyubid > Crusader > Mamluk > Ottoman> British > Israeli/Joprdanian > Israeli
(the first Zionist colony was founded in 1882, during the Ottoman rule)
Further (predating the above claimed 1960s ‘invention’ of the Palestinians:
https://www.un.org/unispal/document/auto-insert-179435/
FOOTNOTE: In any case, brutal genocide and ethnic cleansing of a resident population should plainly be percieved as morally wrong. (the simple acceptance by many is an indication of how easily we all became programmed by the tales of ‘brave little Israel’ during our schooling.)
37
I have no recollection of Israel being mentioned even once at school through the 70’s and 80’s.
Various other nations/continents via history and geography subjects. Nothing Middle East related.
The closest we got to politics was a couple of hippy and/or radical teachers getting arrested at anti-nuclear protests and bragging about it to we students.
My opinion that Israel is not committing genocide / ethnic cleansing is based purely on the fact that they are not.
Now you can run a modern UN version of genocide which includes just about any act from controlling access to a region to using too much air freshener at the dunny. But the idea that Israel is engaged in wiping out the Palestinian people is simply false.
If they are, they’d have to be just about the most incompetent at it in history given their lack of progress.
They have said they want to wipe out Hamas. I don’t think war against another army/force counts as genocide though.
Interesting though that many Palestinians and their supporters chant for the destruction of Israel and would support it. But that’s ok, is it?
120
Yeah, right, wipe out the very Hamas Netanyahu funded to keep Palestinians divided.
They certainly were the most incompetent at precison bombing in history: Supposedly targetting housed of militants, which would all appear to have been all close neighbours across entire city blocks: https://www.theguardian.com/world/gallery/2025/jan/20/devastation-aerial-views-gaza-ceasefire-in-pictures
I’d advise them not to, but it is not surprising to me that Palestinians chant for the destruction of Israel; people tend to act that way towards those they are at war with. I guess, on the other hand, you think it is fine that there are large numbers of Isrealis calling for the murder of all Palestinians?
https://www.haaretz.com/israel-news/2025-06-03/ty-article/.premium/a-grim-poll-shows-most-jewish-israelis-support-expelling-gazans-its-brutal-and-true/00000197-3640-d9f1-abb7-7e742b300000
https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2025/07/israel-opt-israeli-organizations-conclude-israel-committing-genocide-against-palestinians-in-gaza-in-another-milestone-for-accountability-efforts/
16
Actually, no. The kill ratio of Hamas targets to collateral damage civilians has been low by military standards. If they wanted to destroy Palestinians they had the perfect opportunity to do in the last two years. This has been going for two years because of the reasonably careful in the circumstance approach by Israel. You won’t agree. But it is a fact.
Would I prefer there be no collateral civilians. Of course. But their deaths are the responsibility of Hamas.
So no disputing it then. Just a justification by you for Palestinians wanting to wipe out Israel. A war the Palestinians started. And I don’t just mean two years ago.
By your own argument, it shouldn’t be surprising to you that Israel wants to do what you accuse them of because people tend to act that way towards those they are at war with. I dispute that Israel is doing that. But, you shouldn’t begrudge them if they do just like you supposedly excuse the Palestinians.
No idea of the accuracy of that survey. But let’s assume it is exactly representative of Jewish Israeli attitudes.
Do you think it might be influenced by the thousands of rockets that come out of Gaza into Israel? Again, by your own standards applied to Palestinians, it shouldn’t be surprising to you that Israelis think that. People tend to act that way towards those they are attacked by.
But, note this. If it is true, the Israelis are only wanting them relocated. Not wiped out. The Palestinians on the other hand, not so kind.
Your Israel funding Hamas to divide Palestinians claim is no argument against wiping out Hamas. Especially when you claim that Israel is wanting to kill all Palestinians and are doing that. If your claims are true then Hamas is obsolete and Israel can now get rid of both. At least make your claims consistent.
Amnesty have a very loose definition of genocide. Israeli’s actions do not fit the proper definition of genocide. The Palestinians’ actions, or Hamas if you prefer, do.
Those survey results, even if accurate, do not indicate that Israelis are calling for the murder of all Palestinians. The question was do they support the transfer. Which means relocating them alive. It didn’t say transfer in body bags.
Regarding the Jericho thing. That’s in relation to the IDF “conquering an enemy city”, as in war. Not the same as calling for the murder of all Palestinians.
60
That’s an elaborate discussion, Strop.
Genocide is about who is most successfully murdering their opponents, and who is most successfully making their environment uninhabitable.
Perhaps you can’t see it.
No problem, others can:
Let the Zionists explain it their way:
“The young people are getting the wrong message when they see Israeli carnage in Gaza. “
But alas, they too don’t see it, even when they say it out loud.
https://youtube.com/shorts/VvJk71AdIRY?si=1Psu0lqsV_z7q52G
01
Thank you. Very kind of you to say.
As for successfully murdering. Would that be 1200 murdered on Oct 7?
Verses deaths in a war zone because the murderers won’t surrender and instead shelter behind civilians.
Which side has a publicly stated aim to wipe out the other? Clue. It doesn’t start with an I.
https://docs.un.org/en/A/HRC/S-1/NGO/4
As for carnage in Gaza. There is destruction. It’s a war zone.
But put horrific torture videos of 1200 people being murdered by Hamas against collateral damage deaths in a war zone and I guarantee the opinion of carnage and genocide amongst impartial minds will fall on the favourable side of Israel. Especially when viewed in context.
00
Didn’t take long for a fairly big fire in Victoria to slip from the daily news. Strange because a footballers alleged infidelity keeps getting mentioned day after day, priorities I suppose.
Meanwhile, back in the real world, once again local communities rallying to help all and sundry, doesn’t matter whether its fodder for stock or drinking water for households, lots of people doing their best to help friends, neighbours and complete strangers.
Anyhoo, power, electricity, the free stuff that falls from the sky and when the wind blows, is taking some time to be reconnected to many areas. In one run the number of poles requiring replacement is quoted at over 150. I don’t know if any high tension lines have been impacted but as the spread of geographically widespread power sources become the norm we can only expect that supply issues will only ever get worse. Not cheap, not good for the environment, not reliable, not easy to defend in any scenario whether that be fire flood or mischief. Clearly the plan must be to leave the state exposed, even a first year engineering student should be able to say the “new” system is simply bulldust.
110
I’ve plenty to say on this Sambar but not the energy to write it as yet.
As far as the media are concerned the fires are all but ignored. Thank goodness there are so many decent people around here.
90
Regarding the Trump / Greenland caper:
Here’s an idea for the Prez:
Offer to trade with the Danes.
Minnesota for Greenland.
One “wasteland” for another.
90
Denmark might like California. With Apple, assorted Oil Companies and lots of others they will soon be a desert.
30
Maybe they could invoke their “inner Vikings”.
00
Sad news from Spain
At least 21 people were killed and many others injured after two high-speed trains derailed last night (Sunday) near Adamuz in the southern province of Cordoba.
30
Border Collie micro scent training
https://va.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_t91m2mWwzy1y82kbt.mp4
Amazing.
Dogs aren’t the best sniffers but amazing anyway.
40
Our favourite breed but our boy is getting a bit senior now.
30
The Woke Meter
https://wokemeter.net/
Wonder where Oz is? 😆😆
20
I’m sure you know.
#1
What an embarrassment.
40
An extract from one of several reports presented by SMR Technologies Australia to the Senate Committee on energy, the CSIRO submitted their GenCost Report another example.
10
FWIW
Maybe AI Ain’t the Answer
“Recently, senior executives at Salesforce have admitted, both internally and publicly, that they massively overestimated AI’s capabilities. They have found that AI simply can’t cope with the complex nature of customer service and totally fails at nuanced issues, escalations, and long-tail customer problems. They even say that it has caused a marked decline in service quality and far more complaints.
But the problems go far deeper than that.”
“Reality Is Breaking The “AI Revolution” ”
https://www.planetearthandbeyond.co/p/reality-is-breaking-the-ai-revolution
Via https://www.smalldeadanimals.com/2026/01/18/i-for-one-welcome-our-new-self-driving-overlords-218/
30
Fascinating. And worse than I’d thought.
Strongly recommend reading the story if you’re anywhere near AI.
Cheers,
Dave B
10
FWIW
“Cowboys Versus “Soy Boys”: The Politics of Food, Alcohol, and Tobacco”
“I was overjoyed to learn of the new food pyramid, recently announced by RFK, which reversed harmful earlier guidelines. I strongly believe that individuals should be free to do their own research and make their own informed choices regarding their food and drink consumption. This presupposes that the government should not provide misleading and outright dangerous guidelines, as was the case for the past several decades, when natural animal foods were demonized, while refined carbohydrates and highly processed plant-based oils were recommended.
I have often pondered the politics of nutrition and the underlying ideologies behind it. When I first arrived in America 30 years ago, after being fortunate to win a doctoral scholarship in Classics, I was shocked to discover that after one short semester, I had gained over 30 lbs. I examined what I was doing differently and realized that I was eating predominantly refined carbohydrates, which had caused rapid weight gain despite my youth and daily practices of vigorous swimming and climbing the steep hills of Ithaca, NY.”
More at
https://legalinsurrection.com/2026/01/cowboys-versus-soy-boys-the-politics-of-food-alcohol-and-tobacco/
Via https://instapundit.com/770468/#disqus_thread
30
FWIW
“The Morning Briefing: Climate Loons — the Wrongest Wrong People in the History of Wrong”
https://pjmedia.com/stephen-kruiser/2026/01/18/the-morning-briefing-climate-loons-the-wrongest-wrong-people-in-the-history-of-wrong-n4948449
10
FWIW –
What you might call “Unified Voices”?
https://accordingtohoyt.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/1857229632825712640.jpg
10
FWIW – goes with that
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCVgV9o6y56E5vbRVvpRLl4zFAArr5a2pZsG63JvddtpnQdSh6wD_kdQ_KJFQL1IsxazNRWkBK29a2g6lTel6j6ZRXMOV9riH6qh-CsHCsWm8fDl_BXK_jzDjIDDbfQr8qyLHOsm6oZl0er6BsjbMsELcHzAsN6WdckUvex5n4UAuJtsv0D0Ki7OGwVGg/w400-h271/Meme%20-%20follows%20the%20herd.png
00
And pre-meme
““If you’re not the lead dog, the view never changes” ”
“Humorist Robert Benchley (1889-1945) used this line in the film The Road to Utopia (1946): “Did you ever stop to think of one of those dog sled teams? The lead dog is the only one that ever gets a change of scenery.” The Bob Hope-Bing Crosby road picture was filmed in 1943, but released in 1946 (after Benchley’s death). The saying has been put on bumper stickers, signs and T-shirts, often changed slightly to “If you ain’t the lead dog, the scenery never changes” or “If you ain’t the lead dog, the view never changes.” The humorous quotation means that if you’re not in first position, you’re looking at the behind of the person who is in first.”
https://barrypopik.com/blog/if_youre_not_the_lead_dog_the_view_never_changes
Also known as “Sergeant Preston’s Posterior Prognosis”
00
Big floods coming to the Mediterranean because of persistent blocking high pressure and Europe is preparing for a cold air outbreak.
‘There is still a major blocking High forecast to remain across the North, expanding into the Arctic region and Greenland.
‘This is what several model runs have been hinting at recently: a potential blocking, that would trigger an intrusion of Arctic air from Russia towards central Europe.’ (Severe Weather.Europe)
01
Australian mediocrity.
https://quadrant.org.au/news-opinions/australia/sunnyside-up-no-longer/
11
ooooh, that’s a good article!
“Increasingly, primary industries are sapped by the parasitism of government and non-government entities (NGOs) which contribute nothing but hindrance. The south coast of New South Wales, where I am from, is dairy country. Yet house prices that were $200-300k just six years ago now reach into the millions — far too expensive for local farm workers and tradesfolk to even consider purchasing. The Canberra class — the Laptoppers, as you might call them — now work remotely from the quiet farmlands. Ironic, ain’t it, that it’s the very same people they have priced out of home ownership who underwrite the six-figure salaries of those who hinder and hobble productivity and pursue land-management policies that fuelled the catastrophic conditions which made the fires of 2019 both inevitable and so unbelievably destructive.”
40
Bipolar seesaw, the cold Dark Ages in Europe were warm in the Southern Alps.
‘In the 3,500 years we examined, we detected a gradual warming trend. Superimposed on this, we found a sudden warming event that started 1,600 years ago, and lasted about six centuries. We suspect it was due to an atmospheric phenomenon linking higher tropical sea surface temperatures to southeastern Australia.
‘We’re not yet sure how much of Australia was affected by this warming, but other research from 2018 measured similar temperature changes in stalagmites from the Yarrangobilly caves 50 kilometres away.’ (The Conversation)
11