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In my 2011 review of George Clooney’s political drama The Ides of March, I wrote: The art of seduction and the art of politicking are one and the same; not exactly a new revelation (a narrative that goes back at least as far as, I don’t know, Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar). Politicians are seduced by power. However, a politician first must seduce the voter. A pleasing narrative is spun and polished, promises are made, sweet nothings whispered in the ear, and the voter caves. But once your candidate is ensconced in their shiny new office, well…about that diamond ring? It turns out to be cubic zirconium. Then it’s all about the complacency, the lying, the psychodramas, and the traumas. While a lot of folks do end up getting ‘screwed’, it is not necessarily in the most desirable and fun way. Once again, we are ensconced in a political season chockablock with pleasing narratives, promises, and sweet nothings.
Kamala Harris may help Sherrod Brown keep his seat. It’s been harder for him each time he’s run as the state of Ohio gets redder and redder. But he might just be able to hang on again if everything breaks just right: Democrats simply can’t hold their Senate majority without Brown. The brutal map means that Republicans only need to flip West Virginia — a near-certainty, with Sen. Joe Manchin (D-WV) bowing out — and not fumble their incumbencies in Florida and Texas to reach 50 seats. If they flip either Ohio or Montana, both states Trump won twice, they win the majority. Democrats are also defending in the perpetual battlegrounds of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Nevada, as well as fighting for open seats in Arizona and Michigan. […] “Take nothing for granted but if the urban electorates in Ohio and the young voters in Ohio are energized because of Harris-Walz, that’s life Sherrod needs,” former Ohio Democratic Party Chairman David Pepper told TPM. “The one thing that could kill him in November is a lack of enthusiasm on the Democratic side where the base doesn’t come out,” Dr.
The fact that a criminal is still the favorite candidate of law enforcement around the country says something profoundly disturbing about our system: Ever since Donald J. Trump issued a series of pardons and commutations as he left office, he and his allies have defended his administration’s vetting of clemency candidates, claiming they went through a vigorous screening process. But the case of one of those convicts — a New York drug dealer and predatory lender named Jonathan Braun, who had a history of violence and faced an array of other legal problems — has stood out and raised doubts about how rigorous the vetting was. On Tuesday, the police on Long Island arrested Mr. Braun after he allegedly punched his 75-year-old father-in-law in the head. Mr. Braun struck his father-in-law twice as he tried to protect his daughter from Mr. Braun, who was chasing after her while the couple had an argument in their home, according to the Nassau County District Attorney’s office. Mr. Braun’s wife, according to court documents, told police that Mr. Braun had assaulted her twice in the past five weeks. On July 17, the court documents said, Mr.
He’s always been bad. But he IS getting worse. And just look at his running mate: I thought the Ross Perot and Admiral Stockdale ticket was the worst I’d ever seen. This beats it.
In 2011 Obama humiliated Trump. In 2023 Trump posted Obama’s address & a Jan6er, Taylor Taranto, went there to kill him. What will Trump do now that Obama mocked his manhood? On Friday Marcy Wheeler, @emptywheel, & Nicole Sandler talked how the Obama’s humiliated Trump & how he is responding following their speeches at the DNC. Based on his calls into Fox & Newsmax after the end of Harris’ speech, it’s really getting under his skin. I’m loving it, but then again I’m a huge fan of the late night comedy hosts doing bits on Trump. I also know that thatTrump really, really hates to be laughed at. When it happens to him his response is to say, “People are laughing at America!” (Hmm, I wonder what he said before he was President & associated himself with the country?) Trump got back at people who laughed at him in 2011 with the classic, “I’ll show them!” and became President. But that wasn’t enough for him. He also did the rich person bully thing and sued people who challenged him. What do bullies do to stop people from laughing at them?.They threaten to kill them.
THE tenth round of Transport for NSW’s Community Road Safety grants program is now open. The grants help community groups and registered charities across NSW to develop small-scale, local projects to increase road safety awareness in local communities and promote safer behaviours on our roads. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it...
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IT was a case of the Big Red Banana on 13 August for the 110th anniversary of the Australian Red Cross. Coffs Harbour branch members gathered on-site at dusk as the icon beamed out its birthday message. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone us –...
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MARINE Rescue Coffs Harbour is inviting the community to a display of marine activities and equipment at their annual Expo on Saturday, 14 September. With a focus on emergency services, the Expo will feature a range of water and land-based activities featuring Marine Rescue as well as Water Police, SES, RFS, and Transport for NSW...
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If you want to get ahead in Republican politics you’ve got to grease Dear Leader’s palms: Late last year, former President Donald Trump announced his endorsement of car dealership owner Bernie Moreno for Ohio’s Senate seat – elevating an untested candidate who’d never held public office over several other more prominent Republicans. Two days later, Moreno’s campaign spent about $17,000 at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort, and then followed up by spending an additional $79,000 the next month – making him one of the Florida club’s top political spenders. He wasn’t alone. With glitzy Mar-a-Lago fundraisers, stays at Trump’s hotels, and flights on the former president’s private jet, Republican candidates and political groups are on track to spend more on Trump’s businesses this year than any year since 2016, according to a CNN analysis of federal campaign finance data. Trump himself has been the biggest spender, both this year and over the last decade.
INCUMBENTS, new candidates, election officials and media gathered to witness the official ballot draw for the upcoming Coffs Council election. Last week’s draw determined the position of candidates on the ballot paper on which electors will mark their preferences. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us. Phone...
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Ordinary New Zealanders and Australians have little idea about the momentous changes coming our way. For a couple of centuries we have been outposts of a Western empire that is losing its dominance of the region. Instead of having open national discussions about how our countries should respond to the rise of China, India and Continue reading »
Malaysia’s 2025 ASEAN Chairmanship is an opportunity to provide clear regional leadership amid shifting geopolitics, but the country’s strategic goals remain uncertain despite a growing perception of closer alignment with China. Malaysia should focus on enhancing ASEAN centrality, balancing local sentiment against global interests, and sustaining ties with all major regional powers including the US, Continue reading »
Diplomacy is required, and examples such as South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission provide an example and an opportunity for all Israel and Palestine representatives to genuinely meet – to resolve this tragic situation and negotiate a fair and peaceful outcome. Continue reading »
Climate activists are increasingly using the courts to challenge development approvals and change the law, but so are action delayers. Access to electricity is increasing worldwide, but fossil fuels still dominate electricity production. Climate litigation increasing worldwide Lots of decisions on development proposals by environmental protection authorities, land and environment courts and ministers for the Continue reading »
If the interim government formed after the departure of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina holds a fair election, the people will find out if political Islam is a dispensation they wish to vote for. [This article was written on 7 August, four days before Skeikh Hasina’s remarks about what she believes is US involvement in her Continue reading »
SOME of the Coffs Coast’s finest vintage cars will be on display this weekend in Woolgoolga. The C.ex Coffs Sports Touring and Classic Car Club will be holding its annual general meeting (AGM) at C.ex Woolgoolga on Sunday, 25 August. Advertise with News of The Area today. It’s worth it for your business. Message us....
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How crooks and scoundrels infiltrate the honours system, and why it is so difficult to keep them out Continue reading »
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Stephen M Walt, Professor of International Relations at Harvard University, in “The Dangerous Decline in Israeli Strategy”, argues that Israel, the US and their supporters are wedded to long-honed, conspicuously bad policies. Continue reading »
BELLINGEN’s The Belfry Guesthouse has won gold at the North Coast Tourism Awards in the Outstanding Accommodation Experience category. “[This] was an incredible achievement for our guesthouse as we were up against some strong competition between Byron and Hawks Nest,” Belfry manager Rowan Simon told News Of The Area. Advertise with News of The Area...
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