Welcome back to a wild ride through the week’s news, and what can any of us say but crikey! For a start, Trump announced he’s going to label ANTIFA a terrorist organisation, but the problem is, it isn’t an actual organisation. ANTIFA stands for anti-fascist, and it’s an idea. The problem with this announcement is ANYONE can be labelled an ANTIFA terrorist, and well, it’s pretty easy to see where that can end.
Learn more: What is Antifa, the leftist movement Trump says he’s labeling ‘major terrorist organization’? | CNN Politics
Interestingly, I made a prediction about this back in December. Here’s what I said:
ANTIFA – which is a decentralised idea versus an actual movement – is going to be labelled a terrorist group under the Trump administration. The risk here is that anyone who speaks up against the government could be labelled ANTIFA – think anyone fighting for the climate, women’s rights, minority rights, etc… Keep an eye on this. It’s dangerous and if you are an activist, you need to be aware. A prison sentence as a terrorist is much more significant than just being an activist.
The Charlie Kirk news continues to be relentless, and there’s some crazy stuff going on, but one theory circulating is fascinating – have a watch. We are certainly learning a lot about sub-cultures right now, and there’s some strange shit in the mix, no doubt about it. If you think the idea of men hating women so much they are attracted to femboys or trans girls sounds crazy, there are many cultures that do this – e.g. the Bacha bazi in Afghanistan.
Some other news around this
America is now in a fight for its First Amendment! The cancelling of Jimmy Kimmel’s show is turning into a fight, with the former head of Disney, Michael Eisner, calling out Bob Iger – Michael Eisner Blasts Bob Iger Over Kimmel Suspension, Demands Action and a rising chorus of boycotts on Disney and any other company associated with the cancellation – Hundreds protest outside Disney HQ over ‘un-American’ Kimmel suspension | Los Angeles | The Guardian. Keep an eye on social media, momentum is building.
Here’s another classic example of the hypocrisy we are seeing day after day, and yeah, he kept his job – When a Fox News host suggests killing the homeless, where is empathy? – Los Angeles Times.
Mehdi Hasan is doing great work right now.
Trump has been ‘champing at the bit’ to get George Soros – it’d be an interesting fight, no? How the right blames George Soros for just about everything | CNN Politics.
I’m finding this spreading of Charlie Kirk’s fame into Europe a bit weird – As Trump Arrives, Europe’s Right Claims Charlie Kirk as One of Their Own – The New York Times, and then this happened in Wales Reform UK council leader walks out ‘in disbelief’ because Torfaen councillors did not acknowledge killing of US influencer Charlie Kirk | Wales Online.
There’s also a lot of weird religious stuff going on around this story (e.g. Jesus’ 13th apostle) and The Poke is doing great work – A Maga said young people in America had sunk so low they would even have crucified Christ and these A++ comebacks were heaven sent – The Poke.
Do you think it’s weird too?
Here’s a Republican view and honestly, this is what they believe. If we don’t try to understand the people we don’t agree with, we can never overcome – We Can Give No Clemency To The Assassination Left.
Finally, this – Charlie Kirk was a fossil fuel industry plant.
Moving on to the planetary crisis
The Australian Government released its climate risk assessment report, and well, it ain’t good. I’ve seen a lot of denial since it was launched, but this report understates both the risks AND the timeline – Nationally significant risks | Australian Climate Service.
Some coverage if you can’t face a report
- Rising seas will threaten 1.5 million Australians by 2050, landmark climate report warns
- Australia climate risk assessment: 4 dire climate warnings keeping Chris Bowen up at night
- Warning of climate breakdown and soaring heat deaths a ‘wake up call’ for Australia, PM says | Climate crisis | The Guardian
- And a nice wrap up here ‘Cascading, compounding’: five key takeaways from Australia’s national climate risk assessment | Climate crisis | The Guardian
Check out the expected heat death increases
And the heat is already here – Human-made global warming ‘caused two in three heat deaths in Europe this summer’ | Extreme heat | The Guardian, and both the heat, and all extreme weather events, are starting to add up – Europe’s summer of extreme weather caused €43bn of short-term losses, analysis finds | Extreme weather | The Guardian.
But yeah, nah, we’ll just give up! It Isn’t Just the U.S. The Whole World Has Soured on Climate Politics. – The New York Times.
I talked about our glorious coral reefs on The Sh*t Show. This article also understates the challenge AND the timeline. I personally believe we’ve already lost the corals. Not today, but in the not-too-distant future, because we ain’t cooling down anytime soon. We’re also expected to reach 2°C of warming by the end of this DECADE, not in 2050 or 2100. With 2°C of warming = 99% coral death – Corals Won’t Survive a Warmer Planet, a New Study Finds – The New York Times.
The Nerd Reich expands its information ecosystem
Tik Tok “may” be sold to US buyers, and guess who it is? Oracle (Larry Ellison and his son), Andreessen Horowitz and Silver Lake. The new consortium would also be operated by a majority-US board, including a member appointed by the Trump administration.
Excellent. Not.
Hoping it will only be in the US, and the rest of us can still access the original. However, will you stay on Tik Tok if you get the US version?
- We now know who the new owners of TikTok will be – if Trump gets his deal done with Xi | CNN Business
- TikTok: China is calling it a win. What’s in it for them?
- US says framework for deal on future of TikTok ownership agreed with China
Talking of the King of The Nerd Reich (or is that Peter Thiel?) Elon Musk is not well – here’s a video The Day Democracy Trembled: Elon Musk at Robinson’s Rally and here’s a read Elon Musk says UK needs ‘revolutionary’ change of government in speech to anti-migrant rally | CNN.
Remember when Elon Musk said anyone going after the H-1B visa would be over his dead body? Well, they are going after it – H-1B: Trump adds $100,000 fee for skilled worker visa applicants. This is the visa I had when I worked in the US, and I know my company would never offer it’s employees opportunities to work in the US if it cost $100K. It’s a death knell, and honestly, will harm the US. Foreign ideas and talent have been a HUGE bonus to the US for decades. It’s very disappointing to see this, but not surprising in the current climate.
He really isn’t well, besides, who who knew us lefties were so violent?
I have a new resources page on my website, and there’s lots of stuff to dig into on the issues you can about. One topic is Tech Bros, technofascists, NerdReich + trad wives. Check it out if you want to dig in more – Resources – Techbros, technofascists, the NerdReich – Andrea T Edwards.
Must watch
If you are struggling to understand why the world is in the situation we are in, we need to understand human behaviour. This conversation is amazing and something I’ve been talking about for a LONG time! Those leading us are incapable of navigating what we face and are making it worse. We MUST focus on who our leaders are – in government, business, the media and beyond. We need leaders who are wise, compassionate, honest and courageous.
Another resource page is focused on human behaviour – Resources-Human Behaviour – Andrea T Edwards.
Anyhoo, time to enjoy my evening, and I’m stoked to be joining the Climate Crisis Club on X tonight, with our very special guest – Dr Michael Mann. If you’re still on Twitter (and I know almost everyone has left – I stay for this group only) come and join us.
Visual storytelling
A reminder on gun deaths in the US and who carried them out – percentagewise.
He is such an unhinged man, he really is.
Just some more hypocrisy this week.
Chortle!
A poignant image shared a lot this week!
People in my age-group and older will know this. I’m not convinced that Trump photo is real, I mean spaghetti or noodles at a Royal dinner?
Hot tip!!!
This image struck a chord this week. My 17-year-old son really struggled with the outrage over one white man’s death, while we all know how thousands of men, women and children are being killed in Gaza every day. If you’re a parent, please do talk to them. These times are intense on young minds, and they are getting pummelled by the news too. Are they OK?
We all are, or should be, ANTIFA!
My content and my friends
It was an absolute delight to have Tobias Wilson on The Sh*t Show yesterday, talking about his work at Shiva Industries, where he is focusing on the enormous challenge of dealing with organic waste. This is the sort of work that really inspires me. Someone saw a problem and did something about it. I hope he inspires you to do something where you are.
You can read more about his work here – Paradise on the Brink: Bali’s Trash Emergency and the Push to Fix It | Fabfit.
And if you haven’t, please do check out the show, which I also upload to my podcast.
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
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