The week has been consumed by the news around “Signalgate” and I’m sure you’re as tired of it as I am, but the bizarre thing (and there are many bizarre things) is the blatant lies, because, you know, there’s no hiding from this… right, Right, RIGHT? Of course, we’re all used to the lying and gaslighting, but here’s a classic combination where the action AND lie is so dumb – surely they won’t get away with it AGAIN?
I mean, this has to be the lie that’s one too far for US citizens – the believers? Because they are not dumb, and I hate how that is presumed. Don’t get me wrong, the cultists will continue to believe no matter what is said or done, but are more finally having their eyes opened? We can only hope, but for now, the show continues and the whole world waits for impact.
A statement from The Atlantic – worth subscribing if you can afford it. The attacks on the media ARE an authoritarian move, do not ignore that.
If you want a straight view of the situation, Hillary said it well in her New York Times op-ed Opinion | Hillary Clinton: This Is Just Dumb. Obviously the inspiration for my title this week.
The big news shocking us in Asia is, of course, the massive earthquake that hit Myanmar, with impacts as far away as Thailand, Vietnam and Southern China. A 7.7 quake, it appears more than 1,000 have died in Myanmar so far, with thousands injured, and there are 100 people in the rubble of the collapsed building in Bangkok. I expect most, if not all of the people trapped or crushed in Bangkok, will be from Myanmar too.
We’ve seen the devastating fires in South Korea, but weather-battered Queensland is facing unprecedented flooding, and because it’s been hit again and again and again by floods in recent months, there is nowhere for the water to go.
Everyone wins with equality, EVERYONE!
Nigel Farage is at it again with this little beauty – Nigel Farage says men make sacrifices many women don’t for jobs. It’s unbelievable to me why anyone in the UK supports this man, but of course they do when the other two parties fail them over and over and over again. The problem is, he’s not the answer to their problems, and I really hope the UK doesn’t learn that lesson the hard way.
Anyhoo, the reason I always say everyone wins with equality, EVERYONE, is because it means we all have choices – to work, to care for kids, to care for our elders, to both work, or to essentially do whatever the hell we want with our days… because anyone doing what they DON’T want, because there is no choice, is not winning, regardless of sex.
There are women all over the world, yearning to be free, to chase a passion exploding within their very souls, but the social structures never allow that to happen, so it dies a slow and painful death inside. I hate that this is still a thing.
We should focus on building a world where we are all free to be what we are capable of being – whatever it is – because imagine the talents that have, and continue to turn to dust, while we cling to old ideas?
In case you don’t know, I’m the progeny of this happening the other way. A child of the 70s, my mum was the breadwinner, while my dad became a full-time artist – yes, extremely unusual in those days. Of course, we were never rich because of this decision, but I loved the fact my parents both had choices. Dad pursued his dream as an artist, while mum worked every day in a role that gave her immense joy – nursing. I want this for everyone. Choices.
Two-party systems
There is a lot of talk about the failure and corruption of the two-party system, and it’s all part of the collapse we’re seeing around the world. For a vision that offers an alternative, I encourage everyone to check out Simon Holmes à Court’s Address to the National Press Club of Australia.
He has successfully backed an independent movement in Australian politics, which has now proven it’s a real alternative to a two-party system. It’s very interesting and maybe this means we won’t go down the path of the strong man as the only alternative?
Side note: authoritarianism guarantees that whatever you’re voting against by voting for it, you are absolutely going to get a lot more of whatever you don’t like. Example – inflation sucks now? It’s going to suck a LOT more under an authoritarian regime. I think the US is a very good example of that right now, don’t you?
Climate Courage news coverage discussed
We never get through all the news we want to discuss, but here are the main ones we did cover, as well as what we had to leave.
- Climate Populism is Coming, But Not The Way Progressives Think – ZNetwork – great piece by our Climate Courage guest, Joseph Gelfer. He wrote this in response to the two articles below.
- Opinion | Have Young People Really Turned MAGA? – The New York Times – this is a different take from what we’re typically hearing, and it should give you some hope.
- Amazon to sell carbon credits to suppliers, customers | Reuters – the article doesn’t really give you the full context, so listen to Dr. David Ko on Climate Courage and you’ll understand that this is NOT good news
- They’re baackk – Permian Natural Gas Prices Under Water – Turn Negative at Waha | RBN Energy behind a paywall FYI
- Goldman Sachs Biodiversity Fund: The Final Phase of Nature’s Financial Capture – another issue we discussed
- Biodiversity loss in all species and every ecosystem linked to humans – report | Biodiversity | The Guardian we really are doing a number on the planet
- Natural capital went from overlooked to unstoppable | illuminem – really great article from Praveen Gupta
- Stockpile 72 hours of supplies in case of disaster or attack, EU tells citizens | European Union | The Guardian no matter where you live, this is good advice. Be prepared based on the risks you face, wherever you live.
- Scientists warn of severe honeybee losses in 2025 we are a stupid species.
Other news worth paying attention to
What is happening has been discussed publicly for years – believe it News – What the Technofascists and Religious Fanatics Have in Common: End Days Theology | Drilled. As I’ve said many times before, no one who believes in the end of times should be in politics or have a leadership role in the defence industry. Besides, if you believe it’s going to happen, why are you so keen to push it forward?
Great piece on why extreme wealth is a problem, even for investors column Hans Stegeman: Extreme wealth is a huge problem, also for investors.
Following the raving reviews of Adolescence, this IS a problem we need to look in the eye and solve. It’s all part of the bigger polycrisis, but this isn’t a good direction for any of us, the manosphere included Opinion | We Underestimate the Manosphere at Our Peril – The New York Times.
Coca-Cola is shameless, maybe it’s time we all stopped buying it? That is the power we have, but we all need to agree. And this is important, because by 2030, Coca-Cola products will account for an estimated 1.33 billion pounds (602,000 metric tonnes) of plastic waste entering the world’s oceans and waterways each year. To provide a sense of scale, that’s enough plastic to fill the stomachs of 18 million whales. When is enough, enough? Over a billion pounds of Coke plastic waste to enter waterways: Study.
Something else we should be boycotting is seafood, and we need that message heard loud and clear in China. I rarely eat seafood, because I know what’s in it, and I strongly recommend you stay away from it too ‘Sustainable Fishing’ is a Lie.
Just example of another idiotic action that will take us over the edge. Deep sea mining will be the final nail, so wherever you are, fight against this with everything you have Mining Company Seeks Trump Support to Shortcut Access to Seabed Metals – The New York Times.
And then there’s this, revolting!
Lots more to read and watch if you want to catch up on the news, and I know a lot of people are really stepping away these days. Everyone has just had enough.
But, my friends, we must get in the fight here and claim The Power – as Joseph Gelfer discussed on Climate Courage. It is not time to disengage, because then we hand the power over to people who will make everything much worse than it is right now. That’s guaranteed! Where we are is because of the very people turning you off the news.
Are we really going to let them win? Not on my watch!!
Favorite visual or meme
The Vance’s trip to Greenland was a success!!
The clowns really are out! I feel sorry for people afraid of clowns, because there’s no escaping them now.
Can you even imagine how she feels?
My content and my pals
Loved Climate Courage this week, with Joseph Gelfer, talking about Climate Populism, but also the fact that we need to get comfortable with uncomfortable conversations. We must take power, and there are only two sides, the polluters and death OR life. Nice and simple.
Are we really not even going to try and do whatever is necessary to ensure this doesn’t happen to our kids and grandkids?
Dig into the news
Plenty more to read, listen to or watch, so do click through to the reads at the image below, and a reminder, this platform has articles going back weeks, so have a scan and read/watch/listen to whatever jumps out at you.
Let me know what caught your attention? Or share with me what has your attention now? There’s a lot going on, which means none of us can cover everything. Besides, it’s always great to get feedback so I know I’m delivering something of value.
Cheers
Andrea
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