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Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 08:48
Labour-commissioned report that confirmed weaponisation of antisemitism and gross racism and abuse by right-wing staff still linked from Labour website but is now a dead link The Forde Report, which was commissioned reluctantly by Keir Starmer after a leaked Labour report exposed racism, abuse and false accusations of antisemitism by the party right – and […]
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 08:30
I doubt most readers here ever watch Fox News. Why would you? But it’s not a bad idea to know what’s going on over there. It’s literally nuts. Here’s some of what they broadcast just this week: That’s just a small window into the atrocities the network spews out to the public on an hourly basis. `
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 07:36

I remember trying to buy a TV that does not have “smart” functionality a few years ago. It was a chore. Today it seems nigh-impossible.

By the way, we need a nice way of referring to non-smart devices. I propose: “safe”.

And not just TVs: ovens; refrigerators; dishwashers — all are now “smart”. In fact, it seems that more and more the available non-smart, err, I mean safe models are only the simpler ones, less performant in ways that are not related to any smart functionality.

Safe TVs but without the fancy backlight. Safe refrigerators but without the de-icing system. My Safe TV was available only with lower resolutions than “smart” models of the same brand.

This really annoys me. I am too well aware of security implications of smart devices. I do not want to have to manage regular software updates for whatever number of appliances I have at home, or risk somebody using them in a botnet (or worse).

Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 07:00
Here’s a doozy: Former Hillsborough County State Attorney Andrew Warren, who Gov. Ron DeSantis had suspended, will remain out of office since a federal judge on Friday ruled that he does not have the power to reinstate the prosecutor — despite ruling that the removal violated the First Amendment and Florida Constitution. In an order dismissing the case, U.S. District Judge Robert Hinkle wrote that federal law prevents him from returning elected prosecutor Andrew Warren to office in a lawsuit that centered on state law. DeSantis suspended Warren last year over the elected prosecutor’s signing of statements that said he would not pursue criminal charges against seekers or providers of abortion or gender transition treatments, as well as policies about not charging people with some minor crimes. Warren — a twice-elected, Democratic state attorney in Hillsborough County, which includes Tampa — sued the governor in federal court to get his job back. In testimony, Warren argued that he was suspended over his personal political positions on abortion and transgender issues.
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 05:54
The debt ceiling is being used a negotiating tool in American politics yet again. My concern with American politics is that most things seem to be over-dramatised, while some disturbing things are shoved under the carpet. The debt ceiling is a great source of hysterics from south of the border. My highly non-informed take is that this debt ceiling drama will end in the usual way, going to the 11th hour before some kind of deal is struck.

American politics is kabuki. Externally, the drama is veneer over the bipartisan money/power grab. Internally, the only matter in contention is how the loot is divided. Behind the scenes it runs on legalized corruption and burying the bodies.

However, there is some genuine drama going on now. Both parties are trying to destroy the other in a zero-sum game in which the winner takes all. 

Bond Economics
The Return Of The Debt Ceiling (Again)
Brian Romanchuk
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 05:30
Not bloody likely There was a time in American life when it was considered bad manners to talk about politics or religion at the dinner table. There were good reasons for that — those subjects tend to get people upset and angry and that’s always rough on digestion. But I doubt it was ever something that was practiced much because when people aren’t gossiping or talking about work, politics and religion are the most likely topics whether we like it or not. Still, I don’t think the merging of religion into partisan politics has ever been quite as thorough as it’s been in the past 40 years or so. Sure you can go back in history and see many examples of religious leaders being politically influential from Cotton Mather to Brigham Young to Martin Luther King Jr. And various religious movements have been deeply involved in social reforms forever.
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 05:00

Our new line of men’s grooming products is cutting edge, down-to-earth, and isn’t sold in colors not already present in a storm cloud—in short, it’s perfect for you: a big, strong man.

You know, guy’s guys. Outdoorsy types. Grill masters. Flannel wearers.

We make our products for the kind of guy who doesn’t chop his own firewood but is definitely interested in the idea. The kind of guy who doesn’t play a sport professionally but played a little in high school and enjoys bringing it up in conversation. The kind of guy who will, inevitably, decide to dive headfirst into the world of mixed martial arts with little to no preparation at some point in his life.

I’m talking about men. James Bond-types. Corporate rockstars. Old-timey pirates. Beer drinkers.

Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 04:58
In Asian media this week: Developing world rejects nonsensical Cold War; Japan moves from ‘shield’ to ‘spear’; opinion against military build-up; court asked to review new penal code; vote-buying an investment in graft; and differing views of Xinjiang. The world is divided into three blocs as a new Cold War starts, says commentator Andrew Sheng. Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 04:57
We are at a crossroads. The Ultra High Net Worth Individual (UHNWI) class is creating a new international feudal order, assisted by the professional enabler class including politicians in pursuit of their money. One of those enabling mechanisms is the media. In Australia, News Corp serves as the strongest weapon in the creation of their Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 04:56
Pearls and Irritations needs your financial support to keep improving and growing. With the shortcomings of our mainstream media, the role of P&I is more and more important. In 2022 we had 5,377,189 ‘views’. In the last three years, views have increased by 237%. Subscriptions to the daily and weekly email have reached almost 23,000, Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 04:54
We’ve all had far too much George Pell lately, but his so-called “Memorandum” on Pope Francis’ papacy is about much more than the present papacy and needs to be confronted. There’s no doubt Pell is the author of the unprecedented diatribe which describes the Francis papacy as “a disaster” and “catastrophe”. He sent the Memorandum Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 04:51
As geopolitical winds tilt China and Saudi Arabia towards greater interdependence, Hong Kong could play a critical role in unlocking both countries’ strategic objectives. John Lee must position Hong Kong to deliver unique value in the emerging petro-yuan market in a way that complements Riyadh’s development as a trading centre for renminbi securities. A covert Continue reading »
Created
Sat, 21/01/2023 - 04:50
In a new article titled “U.S. Warms to Helping Ukraine Target Crimea,” the New York Times reports that the Biden administration now believes Kyiv may need to launch an offensive on the territory that Moscow has considered a part of the Russian Federation since 2014, “even if such a move increases the risk of escalation.” Continue reading »