Is this objective reporting or propaganda?

I scan the headlines of several journals and happen to include the Sydney Morning Herald. It does not take a genius to pick up the political slant of these daily supposedly 'professional Journalism' papers. I guess they have a different understanding of what a 'professional journalist' does. Have a look at just this page from Tuesday's SMH.  Every single headline screams anti Dutton bias. Shameful and definitely NOT professional.

On the grapevine WE 22 Dec 24

Engineered Insulin welcome news for diabetics

I could not resist the headline "Watch "Scientists Just Created a "Cure" For Diabetes - Breakthrough Explained", so I clicked through to watch the 20-minute YouTube video. It was well worth it. While it is not a 'cure' for diabetes, it is a new treatment using 'engineered' insulin. How is it different from the standard insulin and what is wrong with the insulin diabetics have been using for decades? If you ask any diabetic, managing blood glucose using insulin requires constant vigilance. For optimal health blood glucose must be within relatively tight limits (4 - 7 mm/L). The level is determined by the food consumed and how much insulin has been injected. After meals, blood glucose spikes, and the patient has to anticipate the level in order to inject the correct amount of insulin to ensure the spike does not exceed the optimal level. Most patients have learned how to do this and can live normal lives, most of the time. However, sometimes things go wrong and blood glucose goes too high or too low, both with negative consequences. 

So what can the new engineered insulin do to help this process? Quite simply it. the insulin itself self regulates. It in effect monitors the level of blood glucose and will automatically switch itself off when  blood glucose nears the optimal lower limit. This change removes a major risk with the management of diabetes and will be welcomed by diabetics around the world.

Have a look at the video, it is most informative and does not assume technical knowledge.

 

Media misreport Gaza casualties

Yet another study of the media's reporting of Gaza casualties has exposed the blatant anti-Israel bias in left-leaning media's reporting. The study by the Henry Jackson Society reported by Honest Reporting in  New Report Shreds the Hamas-Provided Casualty Numbers That Mainstream Media Won’t Question

In particular, the findings include ;-

• 84% of the publications analyzed failed to make the critical distinction in total numbers between combatant deaths and civilian deaths.   

• In 19% of the publications analyzed, the numbers of fatalities provided by Hamas-run institutions were used without citing any source, thereby suggesting those figures were undisputed.  

• A mere 5% of outlets cited the casualty statistics provided by Israel; 98% cited figures by the Hamas-run MoH. The Israeli figures were questioned in half of the articles that cited them, whereas the Hamas figures were often taken at face value. 

• Men were recorded in fatality lists as female when the same individual was reported as a male in the Palestinian Population Registry. Similarly, the ages of several fatalities have been found to be inaccurate – men in their twenties or thirties are reported as children and babies, skewing the reported number of women and children killed. 

• There is a disproportionate number of young men of fighting age listed among the casualties. There is no differentiation between civilians and Hamas combatants. 

• The figures reported by the Hamas-run MoH include those who died of natural causes.

Massive increase in autism

You may have heard criticism of RFK jr's views on the rise in autism and his anti-vax stand. It has been used to discredit him and may play a role in his upcoming confirmation hearings. But does he have a point? Has autism increased over the past 2 decades? Is it significant? The figures are frightening! Have a look at this recent video from Dr John Campbell.

The Druze want to be annexed by Israel

The sudden and unexpected fall of Assad has created a massive vacuum in the region. The rebel group HTS that won the victory of Assad,with considerable help from Turkey is just one of the many tribal groups that have been fighting a civil war for many years. There are Sunni groups,Shiite groups, Kurds, Christian and Druze. Of course I may have omitted some.

How will this all pan out? No one really knows but we are seeing some unexpected changes. Russia is leaving, and Israel has taken the opportunity to destroy military infrastructure lest the new rebel groups take control of the modern armaments that were at Assad's disposal. Don't expect any thanks from the rest of the world, but Israel is helping the democratic world despite the way it has been treated.

Now out of the blue, I came across this YouTube video "Who Are The Druze And Why Do They Seek Annexation By Israel?". It seems the Druze would like Israel to annex the Hadar region of Syria. This is adjacent to the Golan Heights which Israel has already annexed. The Druze fear the HTS Sunni Rebel group and would prefer to live under Israeli rule! It seems the Druze do not believe Israel is guilty of genocide. Perhaps they should tell the UN, the ICC and all those demonstrators in Western cities.

It is unlikely, but who knows, we have seen many unexpected developments already. 

Here is the video. 

Another threat to humanity!

Given the recent experience with what now is generally accepted to have been a genetically engineered virus causing a worldwide pandemic, it is hard to imagine something worse. But it seems our ever imaginative scientists will never forego a challenge. This time it is so-called 'mirror bacteria'. These are "synthetic microorganisms built from the reversed molecular building blocks of natural life." So our scientist are experimenting with the creation of synthetic bacteria. What can possibly go wrong?  A lot it seems In particular “Mirror bacteria would likely evade many human, animal and plant immune system responses and in each case would cause lethal infections that would spread without check.”

Read more at ‘Mirror bacteria’ could cause lethal infections, put all life in danger: Scientists

Kisin the West

In many a previous post, I have highlighted presentations by Konstantin Kisin. He is an insightful and incisive commentator on our culture. This time he presents his personal experience as a Russian immigrant to the West.  Again well the 10 minutes.

Calls to suspend COVID mRNA vaccines

The COVID pandemic tidal wave washed over the world causing widespread damage. Not only the cost of sickness and death resulting from COVID itself, not only the unprecedented suspension of the freedoms normally enjoyed in a democratic society but also the explosion of severe adverse events resulting from the mRNA vaccines. We have seen a multitude of studies showing that mRNA vaccines do not prevent infection, do not prevent contagion, do not avert hospitalisation,  and do not confer a risk-reward benefit except for very narrow groups of elderly or sick individuals. Yet in many countries, the official policy is for people of most age groups to be vaccinated and to take multiple booster shots regularly. As a result, there is an increasing number of calls for the suspension of the mRNA vaccines to limit the damage caused by these jabs. 

The most recent manifestation is a new petition called the Hope Accord calling for the suspension of the vaccines. Read more at HOPE Accord Petition: Doctors Sign on Calling for Immediate Suspension of COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines

But there is room for optimism. The number of adverse events has created a large cohort pushing for change. Soon we will reach a tipping point and suddenly what was once called a conspiracy theory will morph into accepted fact. 

How to fight Anti-Semitism?

How to fight anti-Semitism?

The recent firebombing of the Addas Synagogue in Melbourne has again highlighted the dramatic rise in antisemitism following Hamas' massacre of Oct 7 '23. 

While many suggestions have been made, Australia's Labor Government seems paralyzed. Albanese's comment when confronted by this question was to simply note that 'antisemitism has been around for a long time." 

Mmm? Really! Yes, antisemitism has been around for a long time, but nowhere near the level experienced recently in Australia. Yes, there have been incidents in the past but whenever was there a firebombing of a synagogue, preceded by burning and painting antisemitic slogans on cars and buildings. No, the current spate of antisemitic acts is an escalation from almost weekly hateful demonstrations with wild crowds screaming anti-Israel anti-Jewish genocidal slogans. 

So what could the government do to redress the damage that has been done and rebuild social cohesion?

A good start would be a clear and specific statement of policy. It should avoid generalizations and certainly not mention Islamophobia

How about something like this?

"Antisemitism is unacceptable in our society and we will act decisively to prevent it. We will investigate any incident and use our existing hate speech laws to charge those found to be responsible. If our existing hate laws are found inadequate, we will strengthen the laws to ensure antisemitic hate speech is prohibited. 

If a person found guilty of hate speech is NOT an Australian citizen they will be deported.

 

The recent Pro-Palestinian demonstrations have gone beyond the normal standards a free society accepts as the right of all citizens. They have interfered with citizens' free use of roads and footpaths. Demonstrators have gone out of their way to hold demonstrations in suburbs with large Jewish populations or in front of Synagogues. They carry abusive anti-Jewish racist signs with outlawed symbols such as the swastika. They intimidate and verbally abuse people going about their business in their suburbs or in front of their synagogues. Demonstrations chant antisemitic genocidal slogans and intimidate and verbally abuse the local citizens. This behaviour is not acceptable in a truly multicultural society which respects the rights of all individuals.

 

As a result, we are introducing new standards for all demonstrations. All demonstrations must have a permit identifying the place and time where it is to take place and the expected number of attendees. Organisers must commit to ensuring all presenters will obey hate speech laws.

Any demonstration which has not been authorized will be disbanded by the police. Anti-Israel demonstrations will NOT be authorized in Jewish-dominated areas, or in proximity of a synagogue. Demonstrations will only be permitted in public parks, not in streets where they interfere with the daily life of citizens.

We will not accept the hate in our streets and will not allow our roads to be ruled by a racist mob.

We respect the right of citizens to protest and will always allow people to meet and demonstrate peacefully. However, this precludes intimidation, vilification or hate speech of any kind, and of course physical or verbal assault, of the types seen in many recent pro-Palestinian demonstrations.

I have focused these rules on antisemitism as that is the most significant problem in our society today.

We will of course apply similar rules to prevent abuse of any other minority group. We are committed to ensuring all people are treated with respect."

This is of course just a start. It has to be followed up by action. The police must do their job to enforce these decisions. The judiciary must enforce existing laws, and where they are found wanting the government must modify the laws to ensure social cohesion is not eroded by small groups of hate-mongers.

What do you think?

On the Grapevine WE15 Dec 24

Islamo-phobia or Islamist-phobia

Not a day passes without further outrageous anti-Semitic acts in one of Australia's state capitals. Yet in calling out these acts as 'unacceptable', un-Australian, and other cliches, our Labor politicians feel it necessary to mention Islamophobia. Implying without any justification that Islamophobia is somehow an equivalent problem to anti-Semitism. Nothing could be further from the truth. The most recent act against any Muslim was some 11 months ago. The outright vilification of Jews started on Oct 9 '23, in front of Sydney's Opera House, and has been a weekly event at incessant demonstrations.

So cut it out Ed Husic! Cut it out Richard Marles! Cut it out Chris Bowen!  You need to acknowledge that the rise in anti-Semitism in Australia has been caused by many Islamist constituents of your own electorates. 

The very people encouraging you to remember 'Islamaphobia' are the ones marching in the streets screaming anti-Semitic slogans. It is these wild mob of Islamists who are the drivers of anti-Semitism and indeed feed a real Islamist-phobia in our societies.

It will only stop once the government takes decisive action. I don't expect it to happen under this Labor government.  Hopefully, they only have a few more months in office. 

Weaponization of International Law

 Over the past four years under the Biden administration, we have seen the blatant weaponisation of many of the US's institutions against perceived Biden's Republican enemies. Now we are witnessing the weaponisation of UN institutions against perceived enemies. Israel is the most frequent victim, but the US is not spared. The recent article by Robert Williams titled "ICC Arrest Warrants and the Unacceptable Weaponization of International Law exposes the personal issues that led ICC Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan to issue the warrants, the significant legal problems with the warrants, and the role of the international community in preventing such overreach from succeeding. Well worth a read.

United Nations violates its own charter

An incisive article in J-Wire highlights the UN's inconsistent treatment of Israel over the decades. Most notably in its most recent vote calling for an end to the occupation of the West Bank and East Jerusalem. This is in 'flagrant' violation of Article 80 of the United Nations Charter which committed to Israel the land on the West Bank of the Jordan river, ie Israel and Judea and Samaria.

It seems UN commitments are rather fluid, you can commit one day and de-commit on another.

Read the full article here United Nations acts illegally in violation of its own charter

Massive turnout against Anti-semitism

Over 30,000 people attended the rally yesterday fighting antisemitism, which ended in Parliament Square.

You guys are absolute angels. Thank you. ❤️pic.twitter.com/68R1mmezKC

— Vivid.🇮🇱 (@VividProwess) December 9, 2024

Collapse of  Syria provides new opportunities for the West 

The rapid collapse of the Assad regime has changed the strategic balance with a weakened Russia and Iran. This is a great opportunity to remove the threats posed by Iran and its puppets. 

Here is an interesting discussion of the strategic factors. 

This is how we should respond to the anti-Israel crowd

THIS is how we should respond to the anti-Israel crowd: pic.twitter.com/mKqxLhR8w6

— Am Yisrael Chai 🇮🇱🎗 (@kyg_best) December 10, 2024

On the grapevine WE 8 Dec 24

• In a week that has already seen political upheaval in South Korea with an on-again, off-again Marshall law declaration, we now have the end of the Syrian Assad regime. It has come lightning fast with rebels taking the country in less than a few weeks. The balance of power has shifted rather suddenly. Why? Assad's rule was founded on three supports, Hezbollah, Russia and Iran. Israel has substantially weakened Hezbollah and certainly distracted Iran. At the same time, Ukraine's successful resistance has weakened Russia. The rebel forces in Syria saw this weakness as an opportunity and struck, quickly and successfully. What will the future bring? It is difficult to be optimistic given the many factions that make up the 'Rebel' forces are Islamist. So no doubt this will have consequences, but the weakening of Iran and Russia is a welcome consequence. 

• While many countries continue to advocate repeated COVID mRNA boosters for all their population the calls to ban the vaccines continue unabated, supported by many studies showing a high rate of Adverse Events, much greater than those for non-mRNA vaccines. In a recent article by Trial Site News titled "Hungarian Physician-Scientist Argues COVID-19 mRNA Vaccines ‘Prophylactic Immuno-Gene Therapies’ & Unsafe". The article notes 

Utilizing data from the U.S. Vaccine Adverse Event Reporting System (VAERS) and global vaccination datasets, the analysis reports a 26-fold increase in AEs with mRNA vaccines compared to flu vaccines. Notably, severe AEs such as myocarditis and thrombosis show incidence rate increases of 1,152-fold and 455-fold, respectively, relative to flu vaccines. 

• We have seen this in many countries, a Pro-Palestinian demonstration is held in a public location with presenters and the crowd screaming genocidal anti-Semitic and anti-Israel chants. A small police presence watches but does not interfere with the demonstrators. Then when an individual or group voice their opposition to this hateful group, perhaps by even displaying an Israeli flag, the police ask the individual to leave as they are deemed to be 'disturbing the peace'. How is this acceptable? Don't the streets belong to all of us? I can understand the Police trying to avoid having to keep the two groups from doing violence against each other, and it seems easier to move a couple instead of facing a potential melee. But that is simply avoiding doing their job and relinquishing their role in keeping the streets safe for every citizen.  The folks at Rebel News faced this problem when one of their number was arrested for "disturbing the peace'. He learnt his lesson, At the next such demonstration, he turned up with 100 of his close friends. That certainly proved his point. Given the numbers, no one was arrested this time. But really, the police should always do their job to protect the rights of all citizens. Rebel News published their experience, but while it is rather long it is worth a view.

• While Western media is preoccupied with the anti-Israeli demonstrations in many a capital city, giving the impression that these demonstrators are representative of the Arab world, the truth is far different. A recent article at Gatestone provides a totally difference picture. Read Arabs No Longer Buying the Lies of Hamas, Hezbollah 

• One of the claims against Israel in the ICC's recent fiasco issuing illegal warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, is the claim of intentional famine caused by Israel. The fact that there has not been famine in Gaza is only one of the many problems with the ICC's case. Indeed Honest Reporting has exposed key errors in the reporting by Reuters on this non-famine. Read this one Reuters Accidentally Exposes the Sham Behind Gaza Famine Claims 

• In another unexpected outcome of Trump's election, comedy has returned to nighttime television. Ok, it won't last but, here is a really humorous take on Biden's pardon of his son, by Jon Stewart. Must see. 

• In the "what can possibly go wrong" category we have European scientists experimenting with blocking out the sun to ameliorate global warming. Mmm... read here European satellites launched to create artificial solar eclipses in a tech demo

• In its most recent vote in the UN, Australia's Labor government has once again abandoned its long-standing ally Israel. The most recent betrayal is covered by J-Wire in the article Australia ‘abandons’ ally after Middle East UN vote

• A lot can happen in just a few hours. I woke up this morning to the news that after the South Korean PM declared martial law late last night, all hell broke loose. Despite the army making a half-hearted attempt at closing down all media, closing parliament and trying to put it into place, the people rose with purpose. The opposition leader and the parliamentarians forced their way past pointed guns to convene and unanimously voted it down. Soon enough the PM called it off. Within a few short hours, the people thwarted an attempted coup. Who save the country? Certainly, the flow of information was the main weapon. Social media, phone cameras, and rapid transfer of information are the heroes. This was a demonstration of the best use of our advanced communication technology, its widespread use and people willing to stand up for their rights.

• You would have heard about World Central Kitchen (WCK) when they made news earlier this year when an Israeli air strike killed workers delivering food in Gaza. It was particularly well covered in Australia as one of the workers killed was an Australian volunteer. There were some strong claims against Israel charges of indiscriminate, criminal targeting, etc. Israel di investigate and a number of the soldiers responsible were disciplined. Once again WCK is in the news, again for the death of workers at the hands of Israeli rockets. But this time, after an initial outcry, the world press is stumm. Why? Well, it seems the WCK vehicle was targeted by Israel since one of the employees of WCK was in fact a terrorist who had taken part in the Oct 7 massacre of innocent Israelis. The media should have reported this event with the same intensity as they covered the earlier incident. But I guess I am dreaming. this incident does not fall in the media's hot spot... In any case read the story here Inside the Media’s Duality as Israel Targets Gaza Aid Worker Who Participated in October 7 Attacks

• Joe eventually did what we all expected, and pardoned his son, but not only his gun and tax crimes, but ANY crimes that have occurred up to not 10 but 11 years ago. Mmm, is that a bit telling?!!

• If you were in doubt that Trump would be "meek and gentle with these (Hamas) butchers", your doubts would have been dispelled by his single-minded, forceful demand that Hamas release the hostages before his inauguration on January 20th. What a contrast to Biden's "don't". As one commentator said today "Thank goodness America now has a sentient president". He is much more than just sentient he is showing the strong leadership required in our troubled world.

• In another insightful video Konstantin Kisin proposes "The Real Reason the Mainstream Media is Dying"

• A bit of wry humour sent to me by a friend. Sorry, no source reference. 

• The staggering costs of Australian Labor's rapid decarbonization strategy were laid bare in Gerard Holland's presentation at the recent ARC conference. A must see!

• In an overdue move there is fightback against having players with Y chromosomes, ie men (men or transgender women) competing against all X chromosmes. In this case Boise State Women’s Volleyball Team Forfeits Match Over Transgender Player. Good on the players taking a determined stand!

• Alan Dershowitz is leading by example . He has convened a high power group of reputable past and present litigators to defend Israel against the ICC's unwarranted, illegal charges and the issuance of arrest warrants against Netanyahu and Gallant. Read some background here 'The ICC is 100% political': Alan Dershowitz leads legal dream team defending Israel

• The ICC warrants are atill receiving widespread attention. Here is another from the Gatestone Institute , Charging Netanyahu with War Crimes Shows the ICC Is Illegitimate and Not Fit for Purpose

• And now for something completely different. This is a short video about an amazing rescue with happy ending. Invest 6 minutes, it will be uplifting. It is indeed a whale of a story, titled 60-Ton Whale BEGGED For Help! What This Diver Did Next Will Send Chills Down Your Spine..