Michael Barnes
@barnesm31.bsky.social
I smell blood and an era of prominent madmen. Science is cool. Born in 1966, Whitefella living on the land of the Wurundjeri people. LGBTQIA+ rights are human rights. Refugees are welcome, racists are not.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
If you're interested in watching the amazing episode of Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur which Disney tried to bury because of its messages of trans positivity and solidarity:
archive.org/details/the-...
archive.org/details/the-...
December 17, 2024 at 11:17 PM
If you're interested in watching the amazing episode of Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur which Disney tried to bury because of its messages of trans positivity and solidarity:
archive.org/details/the-...
archive.org/details/the-...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Jesse Noakes in Last Place on Earth on the inspiration & lessons in Stop Woodside Monash's win to end the Woodside-Monash partnership.
"The celebrations from the Monash students and staff this week should be sufficient incentive to have another crack."
www.lastplaceonearth.com.au/how-to-wipe-...
"The celebrations from the Monash students and staff this week should be sufficient incentive to have another crack."
www.lastplaceonearth.com.au/how-to-wipe-...
How to Wipe Woodside
A surprise victory against fossil fuel sponsorship in Victoria contains lessons for the west.
www.lastplaceonearth.com.au
November 20, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Jesse Noakes in Last Place on Earth on the inspiration & lessons in Stop Woodside Monash's win to end the Woodside-Monash partnership.
"The celebrations from the Monash students and staff this week should be sufficient incentive to have another crack."
www.lastplaceonearth.com.au/how-to-wipe-...
"The celebrations from the Monash students and staff this week should be sufficient incentive to have another crack."
www.lastplaceonearth.com.au/how-to-wipe-...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
So Harvard is keeping this guy, but Claudine Gay had to step down over ginned up plagiarism accusations and bad-faith accusations of anti-Semitism.
Got it.
Got it.
Larry Summers tells @theharvardcrimson.bsky.social
he’s stepping back from all public commitments in light of his messages with Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” and hopes “to rebuild trust and repair relationships.”
He will continue teaching.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
he’s stepping back from all public commitments in light of his messages with Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” and hopes “to rebuild trust and repair relationships.”
He will continue teaching.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
November 18, 2025 at 5:10 AM
So Harvard is keeping this guy, but Claudine Gay had to step down over ginned up plagiarism accusations and bad-faith accusations of anti-Semitism.
Got it.
Got it.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
“Libraries generate $3.75 for every dollar invested.” So many public goods are like this. Housing. Education. The arts. However much tax money you invest, you get MORE tax money back. All of these pay for themselves. The only conclusion is, govts would rather make less money than have more good.
November 18, 2025 at 6:51 AM
“Libraries generate $3.75 for every dollar invested.” So many public goods are like this. Housing. Education. The arts. However much tax money you invest, you get MORE tax money back. All of these pay for themselves. The only conclusion is, govts would rather make less money than have more good.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Australia, we cannot trust Trump’s USA. It is time to:
Dump
Ditch
Drop
Quit
AUKUS.
Spend the 1/2 TRILLION dollars on healthcare, education, housing, renewable energy, First Nations, women & girls, science, Medicare dental, environment, poor, flexible defence materiel…
👇👇👇 @miafarrow.bsky.social
Dump
Ditch
Drop
Quit
AUKUS.
Spend the 1/2 TRILLION dollars on healthcare, education, housing, renewable energy, First Nations, women & girls, science, Medicare dental, environment, poor, flexible defence materiel…
👇👇👇 @miafarrow.bsky.social
Trump said he would sell F-35s to Saudi Arabia. “We will be doing that,” he said. “We will be selling F-35s.”
U.S. officials have raised concerns about potential sale, saying China could try to acquire advanced F-35 technology if the administration sells jets to Saudi Arabia
U.S. officials have raised concerns about potential sale, saying China could try to acquire advanced F-35 technology if the administration sells jets to Saudi Arabia
November 18, 2025 at 4:43 AM
Australia, we cannot trust Trump’s USA. It is time to:
Dump
Ditch
Drop
Quit
AUKUS.
Spend the 1/2 TRILLION dollars on healthcare, education, housing, renewable energy, First Nations, women & girls, science, Medicare dental, environment, poor, flexible defence materiel…
👇👇👇 @miafarrow.bsky.social
Dump
Ditch
Drop
Quit
AUKUS.
Spend the 1/2 TRILLION dollars on healthcare, education, housing, renewable energy, First Nations, women & girls, science, Medicare dental, environment, poor, flexible defence materiel…
👇👇👇 @miafarrow.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Barnes
How many thousands of years of experience and expertise has our preeminent science & research body lost over the past decade or so?
It’s so sad. What a massive loss to the nation and our futures.
Wake up.
#CSIRO #science
It’s so sad. What a massive loss to the nation and our futures.
Wake up.
#CSIRO #science
That's more than 1,100 jobs lost at the CSIRO over the last two years.
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
"Combined, the staff association estimates that equates to cutting the agency’s size by a third."
This is more cuts to the CSIRO than was attempted by the Abbott government.
www.smh.com.au/national/csi...
CSIRO to slash hundreds of jobs in cost-saving drive
The staff association at the nation’s leading scientific research organisation says the latest round of cuts marks “a sad day for publicly funded science”.
www.smh.com.au
November 18, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Reposted by Michael Barnes
We are a stupid country! Led by fools with short term agendas and far too few brain cells. I could cry. ##auspol #science #innovation www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘Sad day for publicly funded science’: up to 350 more jobs to go at the CSIRO
Australia’s national scientific agency announces more research job losses as it looks for budgetary savings
www.theguardian.com
November 18, 2025 at 5:28 AM
We are a stupid country! Led by fools with short term agendas and far too few brain cells. I could cry. ##auspol #science #innovation www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
“Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year…Citing data that shows the risk of pedestrian fatality is cut in half by reducing a car’s speed from 40 to 30km/hr, city officials imposed the lower limit in most of Helsinki’s residential areas & city center in 2021.”
Helsinki just went a full year without a single traffic death
The capital city is Finnish’ed with car-related fatalities.
www.politico.eu
November 17, 2025 at 6:31 AM
“Helsinki hasn’t registered a single traffic-related fatality in the past year…Citing data that shows the risk of pedestrian fatality is cut in half by reducing a car’s speed from 40 to 30km/hr, city officials imposed the lower limit in most of Helsinki’s residential areas & city center in 2021.”
Reposted by Michael Barnes
The reason they have to keep making Wizard of Oz prequels is if they went *forward* then they'd have to let people know about Ozma, and Hollywood will not, absolutely will *not*, ever allow that to happen
November 16, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The reason they have to keep making Wizard of Oz prequels is if they went *forward* then they'd have to let people know about Ozma, and Hollywood will not, absolutely will *not*, ever allow that to happen
Albo, here's an idea. How about instead of giving billions to the US for submarines we may never see instead, now hear me out, we spend it on Australians using hospitals.
Anthony confirms that health is unlikely to be used as a political wedge, that public hospitals have never donated to the ALP and that they do not have paid lobbyists.
#AusPol
#AusPol
November 17, 2025 at 8:38 AM
Albo, here's an idea. How about instead of giving billions to the US for submarines we may never see instead, now hear me out, we spend it on Australians using hospitals.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Shutting down sustainable industry to protect a filthy one
Lobster fishery off Bruny Island in TAS closed on eve of the opening of fishing season due to antibiotic use by the salmon farms.
No indication of how long for. Must be a devastating blow for fishermen approaching Xmas.
No indication of how long for. Must be a devastating blow for fishermen approaching Xmas.
Crayfish Closure Follows Salmon Antibiotic Deployment - Tasmanian Times
The commercial rock lobster fishery south of the D'Entrecasteaux Channel is now closed effective 15 November 2025
tasmaniantimes.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Shutting down sustainable industry to protect a filthy one
Reposted by Michael Barnes
"where is our so-called envoy on Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, while actual Nazis parade outside Parliament? Silent. Just as she was \when neo-Nazis joined anti-immigration rallies. Her voice seems to find its volume when it’s time to condemn pro-Palestinian protesters johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
The boy who cried antisemitism
For two years, we’ve been told Australia is drowning in antisemitism. Every protest for Palestinian human rights, every mural, every chant criticising Israel has been hauled up as “evidence.”
johnmenadue.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:24 AM
"where is our so-called envoy on Antisemitism, Jillian Segal, while actual Nazis parade outside Parliament? Silent. Just as she was \when neo-Nazis joined anti-immigration rallies. Her voice seems to find its volume when it’s time to condemn pro-Palestinian protesters johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Every single month, Australia must pay another $1 Billion to the US for the AUKUS nuclear submarines.
How can we afford it?
Albo's answer:
He'll make the public hospitals reduce their services.
#auspol
How can we afford it?
Albo's answer:
He'll make the public hospitals reduce their services.
#auspol
November 17, 2025 at 6:22 AM
Every single month, Australia must pay another $1 Billion to the US for the AUKUS nuclear submarines.
How can we afford it?
Albo's answer:
He'll make the public hospitals reduce their services.
#auspol
How can we afford it?
Albo's answer:
He'll make the public hospitals reduce their services.
#auspol
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Weird how many racists like to self-identify themselves as racists.
November 17, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Weird how many racists like to self-identify themselves as racists.
Reposted by Michael Barnes
The Queensland Liberal-National government has ousted two union-linked board members from the state’s curriculum body and will replace them with conservative figures, including the founding chair of the right wing lobby group Advance.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Queensland appoints former chair of rightwing group Advance to school curriculum board as union leaders ousted
Catholic education leader also appointed in changes that come amid breakdown in teacher pay negotiations
www.theguardian.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:10 PM
The Queensland Liberal-National government has ousted two union-linked board members from the state’s curriculum body and will replace them with conservative figures, including the founding chair of the right wing lobby group Advance.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
"In 1992 New York tried to create a review board for NYPD officers accused of misconduct.
Thousands of off duty cops responded by chanting racial slurs, breaking through barricades outside of city hall, smashing car windows, attacking pedestrians and blocking traffic across the Brooklyn Bridge."
Thousands of off duty cops responded by chanting racial slurs, breaking through barricades outside of city hall, smashing car windows, attacking pedestrians and blocking traffic across the Brooklyn Bridge."
November 14, 2025 at 2:59 AM
"In 1992 New York tried to create a review board for NYPD officers accused of misconduct.
Thousands of off duty cops responded by chanting racial slurs, breaking through barricades outside of city hall, smashing car windows, attacking pedestrians and blocking traffic across the Brooklyn Bridge."
Thousands of off duty cops responded by chanting racial slurs, breaking through barricades outside of city hall, smashing car windows, attacking pedestrians and blocking traffic across the Brooklyn Bridge."
Reposted by Michael Barnes
“Australia has the economic power to choose a peaceful future. Let us use dollar sovereignty to invest in diplomacy, cooperation, and well-being. Imagine an Australia where peace is our strength and humanity is our guide.”
socialjusticeaustralia.com.au/human-instin...
socialjusticeaustralia.com.au/human-instin...
Why Human Instinct Not to Kill Still Matters Today
Human instinct not to kill is a powerful force. Learn why killing feels unnatural, how training overrides instinct, and why soldiers carry deep trauma home.
socialjusticeaustralia.com.au
November 16, 2025 at 6:06 AM
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Victoria isn’t broke, its net assets are actually increasing
The reason it’s spending more than it’s collecting at present is it’s in the middle of massive infrastructure upgrades
The BCA is calling for more infrastructure and complaining about its cost..ffs
thepoint.com.au/news/251113-...
The reason it’s spending more than it’s collecting at present is it’s in the middle of massive infrastructure upgrades
The BCA is calling for more infrastructure and complaining about its cost..ffs
thepoint.com.au/news/251113-...
Don’t hobble Victoria with complaints about taxes, debt and deficit
Big business never tires of saying taxes are bad, yet those same companies thrive on the very services taxes pay for.
thepoint.com.au
November 14, 2025 at 12:43 AM
Victoria isn’t broke, its net assets are actually increasing
The reason it’s spending more than it’s collecting at present is it’s in the middle of massive infrastructure upgrades
The BCA is calling for more infrastructure and complaining about its cost..ffs
thepoint.com.au/news/251113-...
The reason it’s spending more than it’s collecting at present is it’s in the middle of massive infrastructure upgrades
The BCA is calling for more infrastructure and complaining about its cost..ffs
thepoint.com.au/news/251113-...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Academics and students fought for 5 years against research sponsorship at Monash University from oil and gas company Woodside. This week, we forced Australia’s largest university to abandon its greenwashing contract www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Woodside Energy’s partnership with Monash University to end after protests by staff and students
Under the deal, Woodside paid Monash University $43m over seven years and company was given naming rights to building on one of the Melbourne campuses
www.theguardian.com
November 13, 2025 at 9:08 AM
Academics and students fought for 5 years against research sponsorship at Monash University from oil and gas company Woodside. This week, we forced Australia’s largest university to abandon its greenwashing contract www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Reposted by Michael Barnes
What on earth makes the Tasmanian government think they can deliver a $1B plus stadium on time and on budget? The state's track record on infrastructure projects is diabolical. Look at the ferries fiasco. Can't even deliver a transport ticketing system without making a meal of it. #politas
Tasmanian transport ticketing system costs balloon to $65 million
A $65 million contract has been awarded, nearly ten times the original cost…
share.google
November 13, 2025 at 12:11 AM
What on earth makes the Tasmanian government think they can deliver a $1B plus stadium on time and on budget? The state's track record on infrastructure projects is diabolical. Look at the ferries fiasco. Can't even deliver a transport ticketing system without making a meal of it. #politas
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Sydney neoNazi, Matthew Gruter, a South African national who works for a major engineering firm that has held contracts with the Australian Defence Department and NSW government. #auspol
November 13, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Sydney neoNazi, Matthew Gruter, a South African national who works for a major engineering firm that has held contracts with the Australian Defence Department and NSW government. #auspol
Reposted by Michael Barnes
Reposted by Michael Barnes
A former chair of the Law Institute of Victoria’s criminal law section, Mel Walker, described the proposal as “extraordinary, bad policy and counterintuitive”.
Children could face life sentences for serious offences under Victorian government ‘adult time’ plan
Children could face life sentences for serious offences under Victorian government ‘adult time’ plan
Youth offenders, aged as young as 14, could face 20 year jail terms for violent crimes under proposal
Children as young as 14 who commit “serious crimes” will be sentenced as adults under a Victorian government plan to combat youth crime.
The state government said on Wednesday that it will adopt an “adult time for violent crime” laws similar to those in Queensland, which implemented the tough approach in 2024. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:51 PM
A former chair of the Law Institute of Victoria’s criminal law section, Mel Walker, described the proposal as “extraordinary, bad policy and counterintuitive”.