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Sunday

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120 comments to Sunday

  • #
    Tonyb

    This has been reported in a number of different places but here is a further take on the covid vaccine. It saved far fewer lives than claimed, was far less effective than claimed, lasted only a Very short time, undoubtedly badly affected a good number of people and really should have been directed to those most at risk.

    https://dailysceptic.org/2025/07/25/covid-vaccines-saved-far-fewer-lives-than-claimed-by-who-major-new-study-finds/

    300

    • #
      johnny Rotten

      The ‘Safe and Effective’ claim actually meant ‘Safe and Effective’ from legal action.

      It was an experimental ‘vaccine’ developed at ‘warp speed’ with a new delivery system (mRNA) and only given Emergency Approval.

      An accident waiting to happen.

      I never got the Jabs/Boosters.

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      • #
        Mike Jonas

        ‘vaccine’ in quotes indeed. They had to change the definition in order to call the mRNAs a ‘vaccine’.

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    • #
      David of Cooyal in Oz

      No, Tonyb,
      It should never have been released, let alone mandated. At least two truly safe and effective curative and preventative medications – hydroxychloroquine and ivermectin – have been available and used safely, since before Covid.

      470

      • #
        David Maddison

        I am losing confidence that anyone will ever by prosecuted for crimes related to covid “vaccines” or other mismanagement and lockups. Not even in TRUMP’s United States.

        360

        • #
          Steve of Cornubia

          It seems that no wealthy individual, politician or senior bureaucrat gets jail time for their crimes these days – unless they are conservatives.

          I am heartily sick and tired of hearing the latest ‘revelations’ to come from Covid enquiries, or the numerous promises that this or that evil person is under investigation by committees, Obama being the latest, with zero apparent consequences.

          Yet, on the other side of the aisle, folks who go against the left are whisked through the courts and banged-up in the blink of an eye.

          280

        • #
          Paul Cottingham

          Democrats and vaccine manufacturers very angry as Republicans introduce Legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives that, if passed, would repeal liability protection that exempts vaccine manufacturers from responsibility for serious injuries or death caused by their products. Legislation that would allow people injured by vaccines to sue the vaccine manufacturer: https://childrenshealthdefense.org/defender/rep-gosar-reintroduces-bill-strip-liability-protection-vaccine-makers

          250

          • #
            Tel

            They never had the constitutional power to protect anyone from liability in the first place … neither does the Commonwealth have that power.

            The judiciary is explicitly an independent branch of government and the legal principle of liability is a long standing tradition in common law … like many thousands of years of history.

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            • #
              David Maddison

              They never had the constitutional power to protect anyone from liability in the first place … neither does the Commonwealth have that power.

              It would cost millions to take a case to the High Court to test that, and The Blob know it. Who could afford such litigation?

              60

          • #
            Peter C

            Since the FDA won’t pull the vaccines off the market, the manufacturers will. That will happen as soon as the liability indemnity ends.

            90

        • #
          Peter C

          Monica Smit is bringing a private prosecution against Dan Andrews,
          I am not sure if her chances of success but it is a wonderful start.
          https://www.facebook.com/story.php

          181

    • #
      OldOzzie

      Chateaubriand observes somewhere that when the peak fever of the Revolution had passed, most people simply didn’t talk about it.

      The human mind couldn’t process the scale of the madness and violence that had overtaken the world.

      I think the same will be true as we exit from the era when the whole medical profession, ethicists, universities, corporations and governments cooperated to force upon society the ideas that men could become women and women men, and that developing children should be permanently altered through drugs and surgeries.

      The mind reels; words fail.

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    • #

      Yr efficacy far outweighed
      by yr expediency.

      A serf. 🙁

      20

  • #
    Tonyb

    Volkswagen profits sharply down. Said to be due to new US tariffs and problems with the electrification of its range

    https://brusselssignal.eu/2025/07/volkswagen-profits-collapse-amid-us-tariffs-and-electric-vehicle-disappointment/

    In the UK, potential EV buyers are being bribed yet again with a £3750 subsidy. They don’t pay the fuel tax levied on Fossil fuel drivers which adds up to some £1200 per vehicle. Yet they think it ok to freeload on the roads built and maintained by owners of Fossil fuel cars.

    A big problem is that many homes in the UK don’t have driveways so owners park outside on the public road. If they want to charge their cars they have to hope they can secure a spot near enough to run an electric cable from their house, over the pavement and then onto their car.

    Recognising the trip hazard, the government is financing in some trial areas the construction of channels across the pavement so leads can sit below the pavement level. Of course you still have to get near enough to make use of the groove. Generally its wealthier people who have the money to buy EV’s (and company car drivers) and its generally the poorer people that have to finance them

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    • #
      Ronin

      The UK would be one of the worst countries to own an EV, a lot of on street parking there and always short of power, continuously importing from abroad.

      260

    • #
      David Maddison

      Recognising the trip hazard, the government is financing in some trial areas the construction of channels across the pavement so leads can sit below the pavement level.

      Making a trench to lay a cable in seems so much simpler, cheaper and more elegant than doing the following as is done in Australia where private owners have spent $7500 to put in a kerbside outlet (see link). Then there is the problem of someone else parking outside your house and you not being able to use the outlet you paid for.

      In Australia people are fined if they run a cable across the footpath or even have one suspended overhead.

      https://thedriven.io/2024/02/29/retirees-spend-7500-to-install-one-of-australias-only-private-kerbside-ev-chargers/amp/

      The Ashton’s home happened to be in the Port Phillip council area though, which is currently undertaking a pilot program to install private kerbside EV charging systems through Kerb Charge.

      It is the only council in Australia allowing this type of private kerbside charging infrastructure.

      The costs included $1,300 for an electrician to install an isolation switch on the house, less than $1000 for fees to the council, and $5,000 for the equipment and installation of the charger (including digging up the sidewalk to lay the cables) and so ended up at about $7,500.

      200

      • #
        Bruce

        $1300 to install an “isolation switch”?

        Absolute “highway robbery”, as intended.

        It might be a bit tricky if your property still has one of the old “Fuse-box” systems with wire fuses in individual ceramic holders..

        Or, is there something “special” about fees and charges in Viktoriastan?

        Also,another problem may be that the “feeder from the pole may also need to be upgraded to handle the additional “load’ of charhing these self-immolating monstrosities..

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        • #
          David Maddison

          $1300 to install an “isolation switch”?

          It’s the special “green” tax. Fully rorted.

          Also, in Victoriastan, electricians will refuse to add circuits or do certain other work if you have an old-style distribution board with ceramic fuse holders and no circuit breakers or RCDs. They will demand to upgrade the board as well for an extra $1000+.

          (Note to overseas readers, in Australia it is illegal to do any of your own electrical work. I know this is not the case in Canada, NZ, USA or UK where you can, as long as it’s done to code and inspected in certain cases. In Victoriastan, it was even once illegal to change a light globe*.)

          * Is it illegal to change a light bulb in Victoria?

          https://share.google/uizhOIhV6PiJGcpIG

          Under Victorian law changing a light bulb without a valid license to do so was against the law.

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          • #
            Eng_Ian

            There are good reasons to install RCD protection where it currently does not exist. The pricing for this relatively simple task is the problem.

            Unless your board is physically too full to accommodate the installation size, then this should be a one hour job plus parts. Let’s say $300, max. Any more and there is gross profiteering.

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          • #
            yarpos

            I found it odd when we moved to Europe and the apartment we rented just had bare wires, hanging out of the ceiling. Fit off was for you or if you like an electrician. A different normal.

            A friend here in Danistan wanted a connection and changeover switch for his generator. Old switchboard sent the quote from $600 to $2k plus. I think it would have been worth it, but he stuck with extension leads.

            50

            • #
              KP

              South America.. Wires along the wall and down into the shower to heat the element in the shower head. So many different outlets and electrical appliances the maid just stuck two wires in the outlet to use the vacuum cleaner.

              Africa… well, at least you had power in South America!

              Overall, I’d rather have my EV burst into flames out in the road than under my house, but I’m waiting to see who pays for setting the road on fire…

              120

            • #
              Gary S

              D.I.Y. electrical work is illegal in Victoria, yet you can buy power points, junction boxes and virtually any other electrical equipment and fittings in any hardware outlet. Most of us here would have broken the law at some time, luckily for me, one son is a highly experienced and qualified commercial sparkie, so I leave it to him these days.

              50

          • #
            Bruce

            Unstitch that Hell-hole at the Murray and shove it into the Antarctic Ocean?

            Any advances?

            50

          • #
            OldOzzie

            3 Phase – To supply labour and materials to replace the existing meter box with a new 900 x 600 galvanised meter box. Upgrade the consumer mains to 16mm. Install new service protection devices, current limiters and meter protection devices. Work in with the retailers to get the meters installed at the same time. (metering needs to be installed by the retailers on the day we repplace the board). Supply and install new switchhbox and rcds for unit. Reinstall existing boxes and rcds for unit 2 and 3. Install new earthing system with earth electrode and water pipe bond. Label test and commission.

            Does not include repairs to any existing faults on the circuits leaving the switchboard. When new safety switches are installed they can show faults on existing circuits

            $5,733.00 – 2023

            PS the Quote arranged by Managing Agent was $8,635.00

            Own House – was an old-style distribution board with ceramic fuse holders and no circuit breakers or RCDs.

            3 Phase – To supply labour and materials to upgrade switchboard to new safety main switch and replace RCDs to breakers, replacing asbestos panel. Shut off power to property. Disconnected and removed circuits, labeling as required. Removed old panel, removing
            metering. Installed new service fuses, and new panel. Fit panel to switchboard. Assembled and installed new enclosure to suit.

            Assembled and installed new main switch. Assembled and installed new RCDS to suit all circuits. Alter circuits and connected as
            required. Customers metering company attended and replaced metering, connecting as required. Once all connected and tested,

            Restored power to property. Tested and commissioned.

            $1,921.00 – 2022

            30

          • #
            Hanrahan

            I had an old home with ceramic fuses which could have killed the Lady, but for the grace of God. I decided to do a rebuild and move it to a more convenient place for the meter reader.

            I don’t remember the cost but it wasn’t outrageous. Would prolly cost twice as much today, even in adjusted $s.

            20

      • #
        Eng_Ian

        In most parts of the world, the electrical supply is provided with a protective earth conductor. It’s purpose is to ensure that the power supplied, should it develop a fault, will ensure that all conductive surfaces of the device are at a safe potential.

        NOW the tricky part. If that EARTH connection is at a switchboard, (MEN system in use in Vicdanistan), then ALL of the outlets will be protected relative to the EARTH immediately local to this switchboard. That EARTH is also tied to the NEUTRAL conductor at that same point, (MEN system). Appliances side by side in that venue will be at the same earth potential.

        And NOW the kicker. Let’s say that you live mid block. Your house is supplied from the SOUTH end of the street where there is a transformer with three phase outlets AND a neutral. Due to a later subdivision/development, your neighbour, is supplied from a similar transformer located at the NORTH end of the street. The chances of those NEUTRAL cables being at the same potential is good, but not guaranteed. Under a fault condition, or even due to less than ideal load balancing across the phases, the neutral potential often rises/falls well away from an ideal zero.

        And NOW the kicker, literally. That charge lead that you take to the car will EARTH the car to YOUR earth potential, being the SOUTH of the street neutral voltage, (because the neutral is a MUCH bigger cable than the earth conductor). Your neighbour will have their car at the NORTH of the street neutral voltage. If your cars are parked within arms reach of each other then the cars could present a touch potential issue, resulting in an electric shock. Hence the kicker.

        I would hope that the installation for these REMOTE power outlets are situated to prevent this problem. Remember, IF a car spot is taken, the user could run a longer lead, maybe one extra car length away from the outlet, same for their neighbour. This would mean that any outlet would have to be at least FOUR car lengths apart PLUS 2 metres, (arm span), to prevent any shocks. IS THIS BEING ENFORCED.

        And yes, touch potential via different earthing IS in the Australian Standards. I hope the sparkies are aware of the rules. If not….. well let’s hope they are insured.

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        • #
          Vladimir

          Ian,
          Do you know which of 3 Levels of EV charging is dangerous from the touch potential point view?

          10

          • #
            Eng_Ian

            All charging has the risk for touch potential. They all have an EARTH lead.

            The only way this could be avoided is IF the charger was double insulated.

            Since the charge leads are at a voltage higher than 60V, AND the electrical connections are accessible, then an EARTH must be fitted.

            I suppose if you were to accept induction charging, (doesn’t exist at this wattage), then you could avoid the earth issue.

            Maybe if they recharged with low voltage…… Naah, the magnetics would do all sorts of damage, not to mention the cable size.

            10

            • #
              Vladimir

              Thanks, Ian,
              WiFi is the answer, just beef it up.
              However, my concern is about :

              a) general/cultural – marriage of standards, ie traditional auto ELV, normal house LV and of ELV
              and
              b) practical safety – Taycan chargers

              00

              • #
                Vladimir

                Sorry, hard to live without edit function.
                I missed the second mention of ELV above

                00

              • #
                Eng_Ian

                Vladimir,
                From wiki…https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extra-low_voltage

                Australia and New ZealandAS/NZS 3000 Wiring Rules define “extra low voltage” as “Not exceeding 50 V AC or 120 V ripple-free DC” However, AS/ACIF S009 Clause 3.1.78.1 Extra-Low Voltage (ELV)states: “a voltage not exceeding 42.4 V peak or 60 V DC [AS/NZS 60950.1:2003]” and adds a note: “This definition differs from the ELV definition contained in AS/NZS 3000:2000″ which is more closely aligned to the Telecommunications Network Voltage (TNV) limits … i.e. 120 V DC or 70.7 V AC peak (50 VRMS AC)” which accommodates telephone ringing voltage on the nominally −48 V DC battery supply which could be encountered on a telephone line and was not considered hazardous, whereas 120 V AC without current limiting at its source can inject 115mA into individuals leading to fibrillation of the heart.

                For a battery storage system 60VDC is the critical point, anything over that level is deemed to be something that has to be installed/connected by a licensed electrician, below that number a suitably skilled individual can do the work. So working on cars and trucks, 12 or 24V would be okay IF you were suitably trained/skilled. This could be via experience or training, a criteria most likely inserted into the standard to enable auto shop workers to continue with their existing trade unhindered.

                NOTE… Most solar roof systems are in excess of 60V and therefore a solar panel system, CONNECTED to a lower voltage battery, eg 48V, would also mean that a licenced electrician had to do the work. Seems the government is keen as mustard to make everything illegal.

                It would probably be different if home handymen were part of a union and supported the government through their subscriptions/kick backs.

                30

    • #
      Yarpos

      There is a VW advert running at the moment inviting people to “have a little fun” in the VW IDbuzz , a retro looking modern take on a mini EV Kombi.

      What they dont say is the cost of having a little family fun as per the advert. A$92k for the entry level and $122k for the top of the range. With all the usual EV baggage.

      180

      • #
        KP

        I will assume that, like the VW Beetle and the Fiat 500, the new ‘Kombi’ is a FWD and bears absolutely no resemblance to its forebear. All three vehicles, and the Hillman Imp, owed their nimble handling to their rear engines, and the modern versions can only offer endless understeer. Most people these days can’t tell which end of their car is driven, they’re just passengers holding the steering wheel.

        70

        • #
          Dennis

          Decades ago a Volkswagen sedan with modified rear engine air cooled with suspension modifications produced a far shorter rally time on a gravel winding back road in NSW between Mittagong and Goulburn than a Morris Mini Cooper also modified could achieve.

          Armchair experts before the rally section time trial commenced claimed the rear engine VW would not be fast enough because of the many bends in the road.

          10

        • #
          Yarpos

          Its RWD or AWD if you go up the model range.

          I was never as impressed as you with the handling qualities of those cars. Although thats going back a long way and the handling of most cars was pretty rudimentary back then. The FWD cars seem to hold there own in the British Touring Cars.

          Like many things its probably more down to who is behind the wheel than the config , until you reach the top levels. Most gear oriented sports/activities seem to be the same.

          00

          • #
            Chad

            FWD generally has much safer handling characteristics at the limit (understeer), than RWD (oversteer)..especially RWD with rear engine set up..VW, Porche, Imp, Corvair, etc. Important forthe average driver.
            Of course, suspension modification, tuning, and driver skills can all negate those issues.

            10

          • #
            Hanrahan

            The beetle is still “Hitler’s revenge” in my mind.

            00

  • #
    David Maddison

    Here is an excellent one hour interview from two months ago of historian Dr David Starkey by GB News.

    https://youtu.be/7SnV4ierEaY

    Will Keir Starmer be the last Labour prime minister? Dr David Starkey discusses Starmer’s latest speech on immigration in which he echoed the words of Enoch Powell, stating that Britain is becoming an island of strangers. The historian answers whether Nigel Farage would make a good prime minister, and savages the Conservative Party for their legacy on immigration. Starkey takes aim at the British establishment, identity politics, and the erosion of national confidence. He argues that Britain’s elites have abandoned their own history and traditions, leaving a cultural vacuum filled with guilt and self-hatred. From the legacy of Empire to the rise of woke ideology, Starkey offers a fiercely intellectual defence of Britain’s past — and a warning for its future.

    181

  • #
    David Maddison

    The Official White House X account just posted:

    https://x.com/WhiteHouse/status/1948879207649403318

    “It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat.”
    –President Theodore Roosevelt

    It comes from the speech “Citizenship in a Republic” by Theodore Roosevelt at the Sorbonne on April 23, 1910.

    Full text of speech: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/address-the-sorbonne-paris-france-citizenship-republic

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    • #
      Yarpos

      Fitting it was at the Sorbonne. I’m sure many of the elite thought the same about the shrieking masses as they met the guillotine. I guess Donalds ego must need a bit of a salve at the moment, fot them to feel the need to post this.

      22

  • #
    David Maddison

    “Everyone in the Neighborhood Knew Hillary Was Bats**t Crazy. Now the Intel Confirms It”

    https://pjmedia.com/david-manney/2025/07/23/everyone-in-the-neighborhood-knew-hillary-was-batsht-crazy-now-the-intel-confirms-it-n4942040

    SEE LINK

    170

    • #
      Dave in the States

      The MSM is still carrying water for the Dems. For example, Kamala and the Biden invalid-acy.

      They are covering up a deeper problem: The Dems have nobody. No viable candidates. It worked out for Obama because he was able to have a third term by proxy. But going forward, there is no going forward for the Dems. Only turning to left in an ever tighter circle, because to ameliorate their positions is to admit what they have become. The guy in NYC has dispensed with the decades long facade that the Democrat Party is not really a socialist/communist party. Trump has broken the Uni-party alliance, so they can’t run these deeply flawed candidates with the safe guard that they get their way, win or lose, and they can continue to be puppet masters.

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  • #
    David Maddison

    Next year, Voyager 1 will achieve a distance of one light-day from earth after travelling for, by then 49 years. According to the below link* the date is estimated to be Nov 26, 2026.

    It is still sending back data and will continue to do so for a few more years until its three MHW-RTGs (multihundred-watt radioisotope thermoelectric generators) are depleted. [Just think, so many Australians are terrified of nuclear power.]

    The radio transmitter on Voyager is a mere 23 watts. If there is enough power available from the MHW-RTGs, signals from V 1 will be detectable until 2036 by NASA’s Deep Space Network**.

    * https://www.iflscience.com/in-november-2026-a-human-made-object-will-reach-a-light-day-from-earth-for-first-time-in-history-79691

    ** https://science.nasa.gov/mission/voyager/frequently-asked-questions/

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    • #
      Eng_Ian

      David. Is this US time or our time. And what if the date is out by six months, that could throw the value out by 16 minutes, just due to our distance being closer or further in our orbit.

      /s OFF

      It’s amazing to think that it will be ONE day, at light speed from it’s origin. Especially when you look at the distance to the sun being only 8 minutes.

      I wonder how many people on the planet even know of the program and the knowledge that it sent back and continues to do. Amazing acheivement and without a smart phone on anyone in the design team. Maybe that’s why they COULD do it.

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  • #
    • #
      KP

      Ah, yes… ‘When Govt take your arms off you its because they are going to do things to you that you would shoot them for’. Lets see how many people the Govt reckon are trouble-makers can survive de-banking. This might become the new Govt weapon in the West.

      50

  • #
    david

    I have never been able to have a letter published on line in The Australian if I mention the words covid, vaccine injuries, excess deaths, or alternatives like ivermectin.

    280

    • #
      David Maddison

      The Australian might be a less woke newspaper but there are still certain topics they won’t touch.

      160

  • #
    TdeF

    I am amazed on Quora at the vitriol directed at people who dare question Climate Change Armageddon. A big group are Computer Scientists who take their title too seriously. None are scientists.

    The people not involved are the millions of real scientists. I suppose it’s not worth their jobs to battle the hordes of true believers.

    210

    • #
      David Maddison

      Yes, Quora occasionally has some interesting material, but overall, it is disturbingly woke.

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    • #
      Skepticynic

      I am impressed by your patience and generosity in persisting with Quora. It was a good idea and there are some good people in it valiantly struggling against a community of idiots, but it’s staffed by blinkered thugs and it’s dying.

      100

    • #
      TdeF

      And after 37 years since rapid world destroying Global Warming was announced and 270 years after it started, none of the supporters are bothered that it hasn’t happened. And events like the sudden flood in Texas are claimed as proof.

      Meanwhile politicians pass laws claiming The Science is settled. When? By whom? Did I miss the debate?

      220

      • #
        Bruce

        The entire caper was ALWAYS a “solution in search of a problem”.

        That “solution” (basically a variation on a previous “final solution”), involves actual genocide on a planetary scale and the MASM “redistriburion” of wealth, of course to the usual suspects, in the “usual” government / totalitarian sociopathic way.

        Our intellectual betters are a nasty lot.

        ”My three goals would be to reduce human population to about 100 million worldwide, destroy the industrial infrastructure and see wilderness, with its full complement of species, returning throughout the world.” David Foreman, co-founder of Earth First!

        ”A total population of 250-300 million people, a 95% decline from present levels, would be ideal.” Ted Turner, Founder of CNN and major UN donor

        ”Unless we announce disasters no one will listen.” Sir John Houghton, First chairman of the IPCC

        ”It doesn’t matter what is true, it only matters what people believe is true.” Paul Watson, Co-founder of Greenpeace

        ”We’ve got to ride this global warming issue. Even if the theory of global warming is wrong, we will be doing the right thing in terms of economic and environmental policy.” Timothy Wirth, President of the UN Foundation

        ”No matter if the science of global warming is all phony… climate change provides the greatest opportunity to bring about justice and equality in the world.” Christine Stewart, former Canadian Minister of the Environment

        ”The only way to get our society to truly change is to frighten people with the possibility of a catastrophe.” Emeritus Professor Daniel Botkin

        ”Isn’t the only hope for the planet that the industrialized civilizations collapse? Isn’t it our responsibility to bring that about?” Maurice Strong, Founder of the UN Environmental Program

        ”Global Sustainability requires the deliberate quest of poverty, reduced resource consumption and set levels of mortality control.” Professor Maurice King.

        ”I suspect that eradicating small pox was wrong. it played an important part in balancing ecosystems.” John Davis, Editor of Earth First! Journal

        What a bunch of charmers! They want BILLIONS to die for the glory of the technocrats.

        Get your “affairs” in order: Roll on; the “Interesting Times”.

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      • #

        Canadians drastically downgrade Climate as a national concern according to latest Leger pollng-
        only 4% think its a problem. Madness of Crowds fading?

        60

      • #
        ozfred

        Meanwhile politicians pass laws claiming The Science is settled

        If it is truly settled, funding further research is no longer needed?

        20

    • #
      Honk R Smith

      We’re developing dual realities aren’t we?
      What was brewing for so long in the climasphere, has metastasized to all organs of the managerial elite.
      Science has devolved from inquiry to sacred cow worship.
      Something has driven the educated elite to what is fast approaching madness.
      It’s looking like Britain may become ground zero for the dire result.
      And in the dual reality, the leaders pretend there’s nothing wrong and when their media royal guard accidently permits intrusion into their special happy world, they deludedly blame the led.

      60

  • #
    Greg in NZ

    The real reason why sea levels are rising: 1970-2025

    https://www.powerlineblog.com/ed-assets/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-25-at-4.33.44%E2%80%AFPM.png

    via The Week In Pictures / Powerline.

    60

    • #
      David Maddison

      The owner of this website (www.powerlineblog.com) does not allow hotlinking to that resource (/ed-assets/2025/07/Screenshot-2025-07-25-at-4.33.44 PM.png).

      50

      • #
        TdeF

        The same. But we have come a long way from when our suburb became a flood zone for some insurance companies despite being 7 metres above sea level.

        90

        • #
          Sambar

          Only 7 metres Tdef, we are about 60 vertical metres above the nearest water course yet have to pay “flood levy” on our insurance because of the horizontal distance between the house and the river aprox 500 metres away. Yes we are technically on a flood plain. Caught in a cleft stick, because we have been with the one company for a couple of decades we get ” bonuses” on our policy that keep it substantially cheaper than the nearest best quote. New companies also want to apply “fire prone” excesses, of course we cannot get any company reps to actually come and talk to us. all surveyed from satellite imagery. We have decided we will ride out our dotage without insurance, if the kids want to keep the place after dad and mum move on, its their problem.

          160

      • #
        Skepticynic

        >the owner does not allow…hotlinking

        copy the url and paste into your browser

        20

    • #
      RickWill

      And here I am thinking how could an image file show ice melting and water thermal expansion. I was not expecting displacement.

      When you think about it, I wonder how much total shipping is displacing ocean water now compared to the past. The merchant shipping fleet is up by 8 times compared with 1970 with gross tonnage now around 1.6Gt. So shipping has added about 0.005mm to sea level. Maybe a bit more counting the ships that have sunk over the years.

      140

  • #
    David Maddison

    Why does Australia steadfastly refuse to incinerate rubbish (with a few exceptions), including non-recyclable plastics, when it is a valuable energy source and can be used to produce electricity? Even the fully woke countries of Europe do it. And New York City (also fully woke) as well.

    Video of NYC rubbish incineration:

    https://youtu.be/S758wEniU0c

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      Graeme4

      Agree. Many nations, including burn all their rubbish including plastics, and some countries also burn the sewage solid waste. The resultant is small amounts of non-toxic waste that can be consigned to a rubbish tip, and additionally excess heat can be used to generate electricity.

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        yarpos

        Not so sure about the non toxic ststenent. The Swiss are dicovering toxic outfall from years of high temp incinerator operation. Clean ups planned ot underway, long term health impacts not seen as yet. No free lunches it seems.

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      Broadie

      Small problem with plastics David, the substance is such an engineering marvel that only a small amount is required to package an object, create a shape or extrude a fibre. Hence the cost advantage plastic has had over materials such as hemp, cardboard, plywood, sheet metal, etc.
      I suspect if we are to rely on plastic waste as a fuel we may quickly run out. I know it looks impressive when dumped into a harbour in Third World Countries or at a Woodstock Revival, my experience in running extruders was that you really did not pour a large amount of pellets in to achieve a large amount of product.

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      Mike

      Thanks David a very informative video. I assume being sold as carbon neutral, with combustion emissions being offset by emissions saved during fermentation of land fill disposal.

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    David Maddison

    The Boeing B-52 Stratofortress is a masterpiece of engineering, designed in the days when real engineers had deep knowledge of their specialties, and no CAD/CAM. And mostly used slide rules.

    It is so reliable, adaptable and with proven performance for the job at hand that it’s expected to now be in service until 2060 after the re-engining. The planes in service today were made in 1961-1962 so will be almost a century old when they are retired, but the retirement date will probably be again pushed back.

    I know of no other military platform that’s been in service so long except for the Browning M2 machine gun and variants manufactured from 1921 and still in service (but not necessarily the specific guns built at that time).

    Remember the adage, do it once, do it well!

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      Tel

      The aircraft still operates same as ever … but against modern radar and AA missiles it would not last long. The engineering was fine but the whole world has changed now.

      The B-52 might still be able to bomb small defenceless nations … if someone decides it’s a good idea to do that.

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        Yarpos

        There are a lot of stand off munitions they could deliver outside of AD range, but yes they dont move about discretly.

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        • #
          Tel

          Hmmm … a Chinese J-20 interceptor, without external tanks, can cover a 2000km range and it can see the B-52 target from about 200km away … the remainder of the distance would be covered by PL-15 AA missiles … and those come in at mach 5 so the machine gun turrets on the B-52 aren’t going to be likely to offer much protection.

          That means the B-52 needs standoff weapons capable of reaching 2200km … and there ain’t a whole lot of options in that category.

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        • #
          Yarpos

          Yes of course it depends on how peer ypur enemy is and if their resources still exist (or even if claimed capability is real). That doesnt negate the capability. Last time I looked air launched cruise missile had a long reach.

          The Russians have been delivering glide bombs routinely from 80-100klms away in Ukraine as AD is limited and airpower pretty much gone. Some of the delivery platforms are nothing advanced.

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      another ian

      The Lockheed C 130 is two year younger

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        Hanrahan

        The RAAF was flying the A model when I enlisted in ’60 but those airframes would be long gone, they are flying much newer built planes today. But my favourite for near perfection is the DC-3 Dakota. The first version was faster than the fighters of the time and it towed heavy gliders over Europe.

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          Sambar

          Was in Darwin, 1969 I think, when a mock bombing attack was made by the RAAF. This exercise was to show off the new Mirage fighters defence capabilities.
          The attackers were old and slow Canberra Bombers. Interesting to watch from the ground, the old Canberras lumbering along in straight lines, I don’t know, about 400 knots, the Mirages on the other hand screamed in at 8 or 900 knots and were forever in big beautiful sliding curves, shiny delta wings reflecting the sun light as they disappeared over the horizon as they overshot their slow moving adversaries, then came screaming back. The talk on the ground was that all of the Canberra made it to their targets but never made it “home” while the Mirages couldn’t fly slow enough to engage the “enemy”. An interesting point in time when technology changes certainly clashed with the status quote. These days of course the the “enemy” would not be engaged at close quarters, rather attacked with very sophisticated air to air systems rather than flying up and using cannon.

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          Yarpos

          +1 for the DC3. Fantastic old machines

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          Graeme4

          May not be entirely gone. I’ll check the model variant when I drop into the local aviation museum on Monday.

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      TdeF

      The US government is just updating all the engines. The frame and payload are unbeatable. But more efficient and powerful engines are an asset, as well as being serviceable where the airframe does not need service.

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  • #
    el+gordo

    Nooze before it happens.

    The new leader of China is Liu Yuan.

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    • #
      Sambar

      When will this be announced E. G., Albo will have to have another rush trip to the Great Wall just to keep in touch!

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    • #
      Vladimir

      Before anything happened, indeed. I heard rumours that 15 June will be declared Word Liberation Day by UN GN in 2028 during its auto-dissolution session

      (Stalin never lived to see his 75th birthday but he was born sickish….)

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    • #
      Hanrahan

      Either you have informed Lei or she you, but you agree.

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      • #
        el+gordo

        Good catch.

        Everyone agrees that Xi won’t be leading the parade on September 3.

        Its a soft coup, the military is now totally under the control of the insurrectionists who intend to bring about reform of the system. The new leader has military and bureaucratic experience.

        Lei put up a story of Wang Enqing (half immortal) who predicted the fall of the CCP next year. Fascinating stuff.

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  • #
    KP

    SMH using AI for today’s attack on Trump, he’s stoopid, he doesn’t understand, he’s making the wrong decisions, China will take over the world…

    All predicated on a fanciful theory called The Singularity being true. There is no more proof that it is possible than there is for human-produced CO2 warming the world, yet somehow people believe the making a computer wider in a horizontal sense actually makes it taller as well. More synapses don’t make for deeper thinking, just capable of more shallow thinking. Like the people I know who have excellent memories, but very poor deductive skills.

    “AGI is the imagined point at which computers finally achieve consciousness, surpass human intelligence and begin to self-improve across virtually all cognitive tasks at an accelerating rate. Sometimes referred to as the “singularity”, it’s long been the stuff of science fiction, but many techies believe, such is the pace of current development, that it is on the verge of becoming a reality.”

    So its like Bitcoin, another dead end that humanity is pouring money into with no worthwhile result, money that would enrich the lives of ordinary people everywhere.

    “it’s why the US and China are increasingly engaged in what can only be described as a new arms race – or space race – to develop and harness artificial superintelligence for economic and geopolitical superiority.”

    They’ll need ‘artificial superintelligence’ because we certainly don’t have any natural intelligence in our Govts!

    https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/a-china-shock-2-0-is-emerging-to-rock-america-20250721-p5mge4.html?js-chunk-not-found-refresh=true

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    John Connor II

    Scientists discover fermented stevia extract kills cancer cells without harming healthy ones

    Researchers at Hiroshima University found that fermenting stevia leaves with Lactobacillus plantarum (a bacteria in yogurt, kimchi and sauerkraut) produces a compound (CAME) that selectively kills pancreatic cancer cells while sparing healthy ones.

    Unlike chemotherapy, which harms healthy cells, fermented stevia extract showed minimal toxicity to non-cancerous cells in lab tests, suggesting fewer side effects. It also exhibited enhanced antioxidant properties, protecting cells from oxidative damage.

    https://naturalnews.com/2025-07-24-natures-chemo-fermented-stevia-kills-cancer-cells.html

    And you can buy the Stevia plant easily.

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    Stanley

    Strange that there appears to be no discussion on this blog about the WA Liberals are doing away with net-zero climate targets.

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    John Connor II

    Shocking Japanese Study: Explosive Rise in Deadly TAFRO Syndrome Tied to Moderna mRNA ‘Vaccine’

    A groundbreaking study from Japan has drawn a concerning connection between Moderna’s Covid mRNA “vaccine” and surges in the once-rare, life-threatening condition known as TAFRO syndrome.

    It is a serious autoimmune disorder that causes widespread inflammation and organ failure.

    TAFRO has a high mortality rate if not treated immediately.

    The disorder is typically characterized by symptoms like thrombocytopenia (low platelet count), widespread swelling, fever, kidney dysfunction, and severe damage to organs such as the liver and spleen.

    https://academic.oup.com/mrcr/advance-article-abstract/doi/10.1093/mrcr/rxaf042/8210999

    How much more before the TGA does its job?

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    John Connor II

    Man jailed over Bunnings chili spray incident

    A mine site chef and father of three who sprayed a hot chilli concoction dubbed “Satan’s Spit” into a crowd of shoppers at a Bunnings east of Perth has been jailed over the incident.

    Hart later told police he wanted to let off “fart spray” as a joke, but mistakenly picked up Satan’s Spit instead, which caused burning eyes, noses and sore throats to 15 people, 11 of whom required hospital treatment. Two were children.

    https://www.watoday.com.au/national/western-australia/wa-man-who-sprayed-hot-chilli-into-crowd-of-bunnings-shoppers-jailed-20250722-p5mgux.html

    Pffftt…only 1.8 million SHU?
    Mouth freshener for us Chiliheads.
    11 hospitalised? You want to breathe the vapours off my 3-times-a-week Umami Reaper beef stirfry.😆

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    Peter C

    The Problem with the World
    This guy gets it.
    https://www.monicasmit.com/

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    John Connor II

    Vegan in Perth sends warning letter to neighbour over cooking meat smell
    The letter finished: “Please no more BBQs and please keep that window closed when cooking otherwise I’m going to report you and go to social media too.

    …And many more suggested that the vegan family may need to move house if they smell bothered them so much, with one person even saying they should “move country” because “a barbecue is a huge tradition in Australian culture.”

    https://www.joe.co.uk/life/sick-and-upset-vegan-sends-last-warning-letter-to-neighbour-over-barbecue-4-498151

    Yeah, move to a vegan country like..err…umm…there’s one somewhere surely!
    Crank up the outdoor bbq, load it with bacon and get that electric fan out!😆

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    el+gordo

    Albo plays it safe.

    ‘Anthony Albanese has backed away from France’s movement to recognise a Palestinian state by September, but has slammed the ‘completely indefensible’ civilian death toll in Gaza.’ (Oz)

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      Paul Siebert

      el+gordo, #21,
      ____Just this position might bring on another flame grilled synagogue door – the Jussie Smollett tradition, you know?

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    John Connor II

    Sunday DYK

    Charles Osborne holds the world record for the longest bout of hiccups—hiccuping nonstop at about 30 times per minute from 1922 until 1990, a span of 68 years and roughly 430 million hiccups.

    Someone shouted BOO! in 1990?

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    Vladimir

    Just noticed – despite very cold nights the pear trees on our street started budding and remembered that last year it was also well before September.
    Is it possible that Climate really changes?
    I mean – slides sideways rather than jumping up and down…

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      Sambar

      These things tend to be influenced by increasing hours of daylight rather than changes in temperature. Of course even plants understand that as the days get longer there is a better than even chance that the temperature will increase

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    • #
      Gary S

      Also, many new pyrus cultivars have been introduced in recent years. Early flowering is one characteristic plant breeders look for.

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    another ian

    FWIW


    Sugar is Sugar is Sugar — Part 1″

    And comments

    https://wattsupwiththat.com/2025/07/26/sugar-is-sugar-is-sugar-part-1/

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    another ian

    FWIW – around the covid scene

    “Peter Hotez Panics After Heavily-Vaxxed Caller Reveals “Worst Experience Ever” Post-Booster”

    “Infamous vaccine pusher Dr. Peter Hotez recently had an uncomfortable moment during what started as a softball radio interview on Hello Houston”

    More at

    https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/peter-hotez-panics-after-heavily-vaxxed-caller-reveals-worst-experience-ever-post-booster

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    another ian

    FWIW

    “Now climate zealots can sue and fro worldwide”

    “AND so the climate madness reaches new heights of absurdity. The latest insanity is a pronouncement from the International Court of Justice that countries can sue each other over damage caused by alleged global warming.

    The BBC gleefully reports that the case was the ‘brainchild of a group of young law students from low-lying Pacific islands on the front line of climate change’. They basically claimed that rising sea levels affecting their homelands are caused by developed nations which ‘have historically burned the most fossil fuels’ – and that those countries should be made to pay compensation.”

    More at

    https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/now-climate-zealots-can-sue-and-fro-worldwide/

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      Esra Taf

      Pretty stupid really. If these climate zealots are really serious, they would close down the airports on all Pacific islands as air travel is a contributor to their climate change derangement. They must close down all tourism and all shipping in and out of the islands. Hypocritical little activists making themselves feel relevant and important won’t do this though. Not to mention that there is not one island more than 10 hectares in area that has lost any land according to a long term study by the University of Auckland and Lafayette in Paris.

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    another ian

    FWIW

    “From smallpox to covid, the truth about vaccines”

    Vaccines: Mythology, Ideology and Reality by John Leake and Peter McCullough; Simon and Schuster, July 29, 2025

    FULL of fascinating facts and history relating to vaccination, the book begins with a timeline charting the rise and rise of vaccines, a trend that began in 1721 with a crude smallpox vaccine. It runs across six pages and ends with what the authors describe as the covid ‘bioweapon’, unleashed at the end of 2020.

    Most never questioned vaccines until experiencing the side-effects of covid jabs. The authors, who stress they are not antivaxxers, wrote: ‘It was only in 2020, when we observed the stupendous chicanery of the covid-19 vaccine rollout, that we began to wonder about the entire vaccine enterprise.’ ”

    More at

    https://www.conservativewoman.co.uk/from-smallpox-to-covid-the-truth-about-vaccines/

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    yarpos

    An aircraft incident in the US requiring slide exits on the runway with a fire apparent towards the rear.

    Video of people coming down the slides with their bloody hand luggage, again.

    https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/harrowing-footage-shows-american-airlines-plane-on-fire/news-story/7fb259cca43d83098b8e80da577d2ebe

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