A lot going on, so I’ll focus on the highlights. JFK Jr got a roasting this week in a Senate Hearing (glimpse below), and you know, all I could think was – if he just stuck to getting chemicals out of food and focusing on regenerative agriculture, he’d probably have a lot of people on his side, but no, he’s going all in on the anti-vaxx.
I have anti-vaxx friends, I’m not here for an argument, but I follow the science, and with Florida ending vaccine mandates, how’s that going to play-out? Americans make sure your vaccine records are up to date before flying internationally, because no one else wants that stuff back in circulation.
It’s a bigger story than that, of course, but bonkers. The silencing of experts never went well for any country – just ask the Iranians.
A couple more reads on how it all went
- Why the world is watching RFK’s fight with US health agency
- 5 takeaways from a tense RFK Jr. hearing | CNN Politics
Nigel Farage was being a loyal Brit this week (not) and he got an absolute hammering by Jamie Raskin. So worth a watch!
“To the people of the UK who think this Putin-loving free-speech imposter and Trump sycophant will protect freedom in your country, come on over to America and see what Trump & MAGA are doing to destroy OUR freedom!”
There was a tweet too, but didn’t catch the handle “In England, Nigel Farage may be a bit of a cult. But some Americans spell that differently. This is bloody good.” 😊
I’m a free speech absolutist. I will fight for it with everything I have, but we do not have an even playing field – not at all. I agree with a Nazi’s right to free speech, but they’d shut me down in a heartbeat, because for too many on the far right, it’s only free speech if you agree with us. We talked a lot about this on The Sh*t Show – did you watch it?
More concerning is the authoritarians leaders worldwide shutting down free speech – not something new, of course – but the US? At least we still have South Park and they are doing a sterling job. Beyond the media, all the money is going to the right wing influencers, with the added bonus of algorithm support, so that means it’s the dominant voice. Free speech my arse!
Even the Tories aren’t for free speech these days Kemi Badenoch’s ‘Free Speech’ Conservatives Ban Byline Times From Party Conference – Byline Times.
More on the Farage story – shyster!
- The golden rule of Trump and Farage’s free speech crusade: they’re allowed to chat rubbish – you’re not | Marina Hyde | The Guardian
- This American politician utterly destroyed ‘Putin-loving free speech imposter’ Nigel Farage to his face and Brits all said the same thing – The Poke – The Poke has been on fire this week
- MUST WATCH: Jamie Raskin And Nigel Farage Have Rough Clash Over Free Speech
- Nigel Farage called a ‘Putin-loving free speech impostor’ during bumpy US congressional hearing | Nigel Farage | The Guardian
In other news
- When the Department of Energy releases a report debunking climate science and thinks it’s a good idea to misquote or misrepresent the scientists in its conclusions, you better believe these legends are going to come in swinging – congratulations to all, mammoth effort Trump’s Department of Energy Gets Scienced | The New Yorker
- I’m a bit surprised it’s taken this long for the younger generations to catch on – Squeezed French millennials blame boomers in backlash over soaring deficit | Reuters. Dr David Ko and Richard Busellato talk about this a lot on the show
- This, just this, horrific! It’s getting worse Why is femicide on the rise globally? | Women’s Rights | Al Jazeera
- If I was going to be a Prime Minister, I’d love a headline like this Pro-cannabis and a karaoke crooner: meet Thailand’s next prime minister | Thailand | The Guardian
- Horrendous flooding in Pakistan. So many with nowhere to go More than 1.5 million displaced by Pakistan floods | Climate | Al Jazeera
- The US miracle economy that isn’t, a watch America lost jobs for the first time since 2020 or a read Analysis: Trump’s economy problem is threatening his entire agenda | CNN Politics
- The techbros are out in force, being obsequious to dear leader. Now, they’re not all bad, but many of them need a good smack Trump hosts US tech leaders at White House dinner – minus Elon Musk | Elon Musk | The Guardian.
- Here’s the full list of attendees if you’re interested Meet all 33 Silicon Valley power players at Trump’s high-profile tech dinner—and here’s Elon Musk’s explanation for why he wasn’t there | Fortune
- FFS just send the man to Costa Rica you evil pricks Trump administration plans to deport Kilmar Abrego Garcia to Eswatini | CNN Politics
- The President of Peace is at it again US weighs strikes on cartels in Venezuela, F-35 warplanes deploy: Reports | Donald Trump News | Al Jazeera
- Disgusting, unacceptable, wrong! Tesla proposes trillion-dollar compensation package for CEO Elon Musk | Elon Musk News | Al Jazeera
- A shame it’s for defence reasons but still heartening news. We gotta stick together Voters believe in a sovereign Europe more than elites – POLITICO
- It’s pretty rare to see my hometown Wodonga mentioned in international news, but this Aussie manhunt is something else. As he’s a year older than me, wondering if we crossed paths? Police announce $1m reward for information on Dezi Freeman and warn public not to go looking for ‘high-risk’ Porepunkah fugitive | Porepunkah shooting | The Guardian
- Look at that, climate change is a risk to the crypto company whose largest shareholders include the charming Don Jr and Eric – who knew? Don Jr. and Eric Trump are investors in a crypto company that calls climate change a threat – E&E News by POLITICO
Important watch – global coordination
And for something a bit lighter, unless it’s stated in black and white, you can’t be sacked for calling your boss a dickhead 😊– good to know, right? Calling boss a dickhead was not a sackable offence, tribunal rules | Employment tribunals | The Guardian.
She told the tribunal that she said: “If it was anyone else in this position they would have walked years ago due to the goings-on in the office, but it is only because of you two dickheads that I stayed.”
She said Swannell retorted: “Don’t call me a fucking dickhead or my wife. That’s it, you’re sacked. Pack your kit and fuck off.”
Herbert said she asked if he was really firing her and he answered: “Yes I have, now fuck off.”
Favorite memes, gifs, etc
Alright, it’s been a while, so apologies for the oversharing.
Now this first one, I’m happy for them, but the sentiment is absolutely spot on!
Ammosexual – chortle!! Scared of everything.
The hypocrisy is spectacular!
Another example of hypocrisy
You may have heard me say this before, but my focus is only on those who believe in “End Times.” They should never be given any decision-making power. The inclination to push things forward is always too strong.
I know, right?
If you know, you know!
It’s something, isn’t it?
This little beauty came out – psychotic!
It’s a very good question
Are they really?
What a week hey?
My content and my friends
It was great to get the show back on the road after a decent break. Thanks for a hearty conversation Dr David Ko and Joe Augustine. We covered a LOT!!
A bit of wisdom from Joe! Get involved, wherever you can.
Dig into the news
As always, there’s 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
All my contact information is here.
If you want to support my work, please share my work, subscribe to my social channels, or at least buy me a coffee here.
The Sh*t Show
The Sh*t Show is a Livestream happening every Friday, where Andrea T Edwards, Dr. David Ko, Richard Busellato and Joe Augustin, as well as special guests, discuss the world’s most pressing issues across all angles of the polycrisis, working to make sense of the extremely challenging and complex times we are all going through, plus what we can do about it. Help us move the needle so we can change the name of the show to something more genteel when (or if) it is no longer a sh*t show.
Uncommon Courage: an invitation
Uncommon Courage is an invitation to be your courageous best self every day. It’s also an antidote to the overwhelm, fear, and rage rolling around the world. But it’s more than a book; it’s an invitation to join an inclusive community that wants to better understand humanities challenges – both global and personal – in order to take courageous action and create a better world for everyone.
You can buy it on Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Book Depository, Booktopia, Smashwords, Kobo, Gardners, Odilo, Indie Bound, BookShop by BookTrib and Scribd.
Better yet, order it from your local bookstore, so you can #SupportLocal.
You can read the reviews, including a new five-star review on Book Commentary, another five-star review on ReaderViews, a review on BookTrib, and three more on Booklife, another on Book Commentary and Blue Ink Reviews. I’m also collating reviews on my Website too. Have a look and grateful to everyone who has written or recorded one.
Come and join the conversation in my Facebook Group One Billion People with Uncommon Courage.
Listen in to the Uncommon Courage, the podcast on Apple, Spotify and everywhere podcasts are published.
18 Steps to an All-Star LinkedIn Profile
Listed by Book Authority in the 100 Best LinkedIn Books of All Time and 22 Best New LinkedIn eBooks To Read In 2021 and 2022 categories. Grab it today if you want to take your professional presence to the next level! When it comes to LinkedIn, it really is time to ask — can you really afford not to have this book in the hands of every employee?
Are you a Social CEO? The Social CEO: How Social Media Can Make You A Stronger Leader.
Want to claim your stage? Unleash Your Voice – Powerful Public Speaking for Every Woman
Feedback
Have I done a great job for you? Can you write a reference on my LinkedIn profile or on my Google Business page? If not for me, why not write one for someone else who inspires you or has helped you? Join the #GivingEconomy.