What's what?
Down, down, down...
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2018/11/18/fairfax-nine-merger-...
https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2018/11/05/seven-news-corp...
"To get the full picture of how corporations fund front groups to influence politicians and public opinion, you need to read Dark Money by Jane Mayer."
Seriously alarming book. Even more so when you see how it's actually working. Only gotta read this forum to realise that."
Spot on, Stunet. This thread, THAT thread.
Sheesh. The very first post on this one was three years ago!
More ALP treason.
https://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2018/11/nsw-labor-leader-conducts-secre...
Tell me why any working class person would possibly support this party except for the fact that they are the only alternative to government besides the LNP.
What a fucked state of affairs.
Don’t do it .....vote independent. Give the fuckwits the message that they’re time has passed.
ALP selling the future of Australians....particularly Australia’s working class who were the entire reason for the creation of the ALP in the first place.
Formerly The LABOR party. Now it’s just The Party.
And it’s come to this :https://theconversation.com/why-we-should-worry-about-victorias-china-me...
Giving away our future to a foreign nation in order to shore up a Chinese voting base and to fill their coffers with corrupting Chinese Communist Party money.
They no longer represent anyone but themselves. The maintenance of the party is their only goal. Australian’s are collateral damage in their pursuit of power and feathering their own nests.
Fuck the ALP.
In the NSW case the story traces back to the Daily Telegraph. No evidence is presented that the person involved is an agent of the Chinese Govt. Guilt by assertion = McCarthyism.
In the Victorian case there is no legally binding agreement only the suggestion that they should cooperate with the belt and road initiative. Sounds like goodpolicy to me, but then I am not Chinaphobic, which seeme more common than Islamophobia In Australia these days. The "yellow peril" makes a comeback!
Holy shit.
China has completely forsaken democracy.
China has a president for life whose thoughts are published as doctrine and a decree from a deity.
China has usurped huge swathes of the planet.
China is currently engaged in destabilising economic activity across the globe in order to gain power in strategic areas .
China considers its foreign diaspora to be eternally loyal to the motherland and elevates TRUE nationalism- the scary ,NAZI Gemany kind - as it’s uniting element .
China is one of the most xenophobic cultures in the world and is unshakable in its belief that they are the world’s preeminent people and culture. Chinese exceptionalism dwarfs that of all others.
China utterly controls every element of life for its slaves.
China incarcerates hundreds of thousands of people without charge or jurisprudence .
China is unashamed in its pursuit of racial and religious discrimination and persecution.
China has the world’s most comprehensive use of protectionism and trade restrictions.
China is relentlessly isolationist.
China unapologetically puts itself before every other nation and prides itself on this fact.
China corrupts and compromises the political sphere everywhere its tentacles reach in order to further its power and influence.
And you consider being wary of these indisputed facts as racism.
Blind boy it is.
The irony being that you’ve been the chief exhibitor of Trump fearmongering and demonisation out of my one I’ve ever seen , yet China and Xinping are guilty of every charge you’ve ever levelled at Trump only they do it on a global scale.
You’re not Sinophobic......you’re a Sinophile.
.... just how many hours a day are you spending on line at the minute Blowin?
China has completely forsaken democracy.
Never was a democracy.
China has a president for life whose thoughts are published as doctrine and a decree from a deity.
No that was Mao, but yes they do things differently
China has usurped huge swathes of the planet.
Hmm, Tibet, which is the only place they have invaded, is hardly a huge swathe of anything. They have taken a few liberties to protect their trade routes, but who wouldn’t when they are surrounded by bases of their main rival, which is the most warlike nation on Earth.
China is currently engaged in destabilising economic activity across the globe in order to gain power in strategic areas .
You mean they want to use the same methods used by western powers over the last hundred years. Despicable stuff!
China considers its foreign diaspora to be eternally loyal to the motherland and elevates TRUE nationalism- the scary ,NAZI Gemany kind - as it’s uniting element .
No, Germany wanted more room for its existing population and set about invading its neighbours. So no similarity at all (PS Godwin’s law has only been suspended for references to US politics)
China utterly controls every element of life for its slaves.
Just an assertion. China has more control over individuals within China than we consider acceptable but there is no sign that they are interested in exporting that idea
China incarcerates hundreds of thousands of people without charge or jurisprudence.
Any evidence for that but anyway it still incarcerates a lower percentage of its population than the US.
China is unashamed in its pursuit of racial and religious discrimination and persecution.
Well it doesn’t like Islamic terrorism and is prepared to abuse human rights to suppress it.
China has the world’s most comprehensive use of protectionism and trade restrictions.
Please provide evidence
China is relentlessly isolationist.
Except for the tourist industry which is booming in both directions. If you want blind obedience and conformism you don’t let your people be corrupted by western influences!
China unapologetically puts itself before every other nation and prides itself on this fact.
…..and? I mean that’s true of every nation. It is the business of good government to look to the interests of the nation.
China corrupts and compromises the political sphere everywhere its tentacles reach in order to further its power and influence.
Got an example?
And you consider being wary of these indisputed facts as racism.
No, but given that we are all racists just below the conscious level, you have to wonder.
"Seven years ago Hillary Clinton, then the US secretary of state, warned of her country’s growing competition with China, and pinpointed a nation over which the two powers seemed to be coming into conflict: Papua New Guinea. “[The Chinese] have brought all of the leaders of these small Pacific nations to Beijing, wined them and dined them,” she told a Senate committee.
Last weekend, when global leaders descended on PNG for this year’s APEC summit, the world learnt that Clinton was right."
https://www.australianforeignaffairs.com/afaweekly/china-raises-red-flags
but, but that doesn't fit the narrative stu but it does reflect where I have thought Australia's attention ought have been for the last 2 decades instead of following uncle sam into wars and cutting back our foreign aid budget to the pacific.
Interesting Stu. China is coming from a long way back, historically and culturally, in trying to compete with western interests in many parts of the world. I do not have a totally benign view of China's intentions. My point is that they need to be seen in the context of national self-interest. Whether we like it or not they are a major global power with a culture that does not easily align with traditional western values. We cannot expect that they will abide by the status quo in terms if trade or other dealings with developing nations. Being vigilant about our own interests is better than the kind of paranoid thinking that too often passes for analysis.
I was about to write a diatribe, BB .
But honestly, if you are so blind that you will write the trite , dismissive and apologistic post as you’ve just done , then there’s no point.
I realise you’re a Sinophile and are willing to excuse them anything. Such a contrast with your outlandish Trump hysteria.
China has just stolen vast , vast tracts of territory from its surrounding nations and you’re willing to concede it as self defence. What about it’s neighbors defending themselves from China ?
So where are these vast vast tracts Blowin? Always happy to increase my knowledge.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Territorial_disputes_in_the_South_China_Sea
Malaysia, Vietnam , Brunei, Phillipines and Taiwan have had territory stolen under the 9 dash line claim.
Indonesia is a non claimant for this zone , but has ownership of islands disputed with China. The islands are about 4000 km closer to Indonesia than they are to China.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-07-15/south-china-sea-territory-renamed...
Military force has been used by China to take this territory.
This glib little phrase illustrates nicely just how much you’re willing to excuse Chinese expansionism :
“ They have taken a few liberties to protect their trade routes,”
They’ve built military bases on another countries sovereign territory after taking it by force. Following years of denials and lies to the contrary of course.
Poor , underdog Chinese.
Prior to the construction of those bases the US, who are China's major power rival, could have shut down the major trade route through the South China Sea and China would have had no capacity to oppose them except with nuclear weapons. So yes, they breached international law, as the US does frequently in its own interests. For all the hyperventilating expert opinion I think that the bases make serious conflict less likely. As China can now act to protect its vital trade routes the US is much less likely to block them. No, it's not perfect but as long as both sides act in their own best interests it is hard to see conflict arising. So yes they did steal territory. My mistake the word "territory" led me to believe you were talking about land.
The shitt will hit the fan big time when Xi needs to shore up his nationalist credentials and either invades or blockades Taiwan to bring it to heel.
Don't hold your breath waiting for that to happen freeride. It's a lose/lose proposition for all involved, but most of all for Xi.
Why do you give all the benefit in the world to Xi when his nefarious actions are there for all to see. He made himself president for life FFS.
Whilst the vast majority of your dislike for Trump is based on events that may never occur.
You despise Trump for his ( fantastical) plans to control the press and destroy democracy, but Xi has already done this and much worse , yet you think he’s ok .
Trumps evil incarnate cause he said that chicks like it when powerful guys grab ‘me on the pussy . Unforgivable sin , right ?
But then Xi abducts foreign citizens because they’re criticising of his politics
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jan/22/swedish-bookseller-alleged...
You lose your shit over Trump’s Muslim travel bans , then excuse a million muslims incarcerated in China .
WTF is that about ?
Fuck it’s funny hearing you predict what Xi will do , BB.
Always a happy ending!
You do the same for Trump , but it always finishes with his hand on the nuclear button.
One is a rational person who has had the skill to negotiate an incredibly complex system of government and rise to the top. The other is a narcissistic buffoon who stumblebummed his way to the top. So yep, I would trust Xi's judgement to avert war in a crisis. Trump? You have to be kidding. The man's a walking breathing crisis.
In our life time we are going to see some serious shit go down in some way by China, they are moving the chess pieces all around the world...wish i could speak mandarin think its going to come in handy more and more.
I was going to wait until closer to Christmas, but given the topic has meandered this way, here is my Christmas gift for all the SwellLeft posters: may it inspire you to allow your inner Stalinists to shine:
https://www.edx.org/course/xi-jinpings-thought-on-socialism-with-chinese...
A free course on Xi Jinping thought! Apologies BB if you've already done it.
China has no interest in starting a war. They are an expanding economic and political power that threatens the US, not militarily but economically and politically. As Chinese power increases, US decreases. All very interesting and requiring vigilance to try and prevent our interests becoming a casualty of the disagreements, but war? No, worry about the Middle East and the Baltics.
So your entire summation is based on who can hold a poker face in front of the cameras ?
I didn’t think you were so two dimensional.
No wonder you thought Hillary was a better option.
Nice one vj. Socialism with Chinese Charcteristics. Translates as work your arse off, keep your head down and we will rise above the capitalist running dogs of the US. Too bad it's not running anymore. I think Blowin would have benefited from a little re-education.
Your guess is as good as anyone else’s .
But judging by the way China has threatened Taiwan with armed invasion and by the military might they’ve used to rid the SCS of competition to date , I’d say you are wide of the mark.
They are building their military to use as soon as one of their strategic acquisitions proves a little too uppity. Then you’ll see the real China.
Think Tiananmen Square on a bigger scale.
... weak Blowin, I expected something much more to the point. But keeping a poker face is a pretty handy political asset.
Mate , I’m flat out.
I just sponge bathed an immobilised octogenarian. Apologies if I didn’t give my argument enough vigor.
Poker face is all Xi has got.
Behind the facade he’s an egomaniacal dictator who’s willing to execute and disappear his political threats during the ascendency and consolidation of his unquestionable rule over as much of the world as he can grab.
But Trump grabbed a willing girl on the pussy and he fucked a ( very expensive ) hooker !!!
I feel faint !!
Any evidence for those assertions about Xi Blowin? I am always keen to expand my knowledge.
Xi is the true determined and formidable villain from a Bond film , whilst Trump is the bad guy from Austin Powers.
And you think that Trump is the threat to world security.
If you were keen to expand your knowledge you’d open your mind to the possibility that China ain’t the friendly panda who just wants to play with the world.
Look how they treat their own people .
Now consider how they’d treat those that haven’t got the perfect Chinese DNA.
If you were of a curious mind you’d consider their actions rather than dismissing them because they’re such respectful and diplomatic people superficially.
So no evidence then Blowin. Accusing someone of murder without a shred of evidence is not rational debate. I state my opinions. You are welcome to fact check anything I post or call me out.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1989_Tiananmen_Square_protests
Potentially over 10000 murdered.
But , you think it’s BETTER now ?
Holy fuck.
And if you read my posts you would know that I do not see China as a "friendly panda" and readily admit that it is an authoritarian regime that acts in its own perceived interests. My point is that they behave rationally in foreign affairs and that much of the fear based comments about them are unwarranted.
In 1989 Xi was studying for a post-graduate degree and had nothing to do with those murders. Stick to the point.
If i was a falun gong practitioner i'd be pretty nervous. Strange how organ transplants rose exponentially with the imprisonment of thousands of falun gong and political prisoners. Also, the notably short wait times and increase in facilities providing organ transplants suggesting basically a one-stop shop, execution on demand service.
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Organ_harvesting_from_Falun_Gong_practit...
The Chinese government is an authoritarian, repressive regime so I don't doubt that organs from executed prisoners are used for transplants. To put that in perspective though, there was an exhibition in Sydney this year of plasticised human bodies to show human anatomy. It is almost certain that the bodies used were those of executed Chinese prisoners. So Australia has been complicit in that type of abuse.
You honestly believe that a man who elects himself unopposed for life to dictate every other facet of the lives of 1600000000 other people is rational ?
And if they criticise him they disappear ?
Sounds fully rational.
Seems to me that insincere cordiality appears to be your highest form of morality.
Blowin China is an authoritarian and repressive regime that does not tolerate dissent beyond a very narrow limit. It has also raised several hundred million or more people out of poverty in recent decades and has every intention of continuing to increase the wealth and living standards of its population. Do I agree with their methods? No, but I don't live there and do not believe that they pose a military threat to,other nations. Yes, they will intimidate and manipulate other nations as great powers usually do. Get used to it. We can live with it.
You don't believe they pose a military threat. But you accept have a military large enough to intimidate.
That is the threat.
The USA lifted its people to the highest standard of living the world has ever seen . You don’t live there either , but you’ve got endless negative things to say about them.
We can live with it huh ?
So why have you got your knickers in a twist over Trump , if you can live with the subjugation of 1.6 billion people by a regressive, dictatorship?
China wants Australia badly and already has agents active in the Labor party. Sam Dastyari was busted outright feeding info to the Chinese Govt and has been classified an agent by our security services. He is one of Bill Shortens close friends.
'Mate , I’m flat out.
I just sponge bathed an immobilised octogenarian. Apologies if I didn’t give my argument enough vigor.'
Not to mention the violin solo.
Nurses, carers, disabled workers, wardspeople, ancillary staff ad infinitum, care for multiple, infinitely worse off people under infinitely worse conditions day and night, seven days a week for minuscule, pathetic wages and no body gives a shit. Except the 'nursing home' owners. Big money there.
OK so while reprehensible China has been building bases on disputed territory what else has been going on. Oh yeh a murderous and repressive regime, armed by the US has been destroying Yemen causing tens of thousands of children to starve to death. Along the way they murdered one of their citizens in an overseas embassy and dissolved the body in acid! But no, we must worry about China! Different strokes for different folks?
What’s with the deflection, BB ?
That’s poor form from you.
Of course the Saudis are fuckwits. No argument there. They and their insidious inspiration to Muslims everywhere should be expelled from our society.
But the Saudis aren’t currently trying to derail Australian democracy and corrupt our society. They’re not trying to buy all our infrastructure in order to compromise our ability to be self reliant or to defend ourselves.
The Saudi s do appeal to muslims everywhere to act as their proxy militias, just as the Chinese compel its diaspora to act at their behest and destabilise foreign nations.
It’s possible and wise to object to both regimes and to reject their incursions into our country.
You’re better than this , BB. Using your argument, you can’t object to Trump because you should be objecting to the Saudis . If you can walk and chew gum at the same time , surely I can do the same ?
.
Following the China thread and in particular China's influence in Australia, I am halfway through "Silent Invasion" by Clive Hamilton.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clive_Hamilton
It is well researched and recommended for anyone interested in what Australia may look like 20 + years from now. I dont want my kids having to live like the general population in mainland China under the political system currently in place there. Who knows if it would come to this but it has alarmed me.
I recall an interview by an English journalist of a Chinese businessman in Brazil questioning the extent of Chinese ownership in Brazil Businessman response was "We have not achieved this with guns and troops, we pay fair market value".
That's for now...................
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