MediaActive ▪️EQUALITY ▪️JUSTICE ▪️PEACE
@mediaactive.bsky.social
Former ABC broadcast journalist, presenter. Pioneered Australian *national* radio talkback on ABC Radio National. Podcaster: https://rss.com/podcasts/transitzone/
THEMES: DEMOCRACY/JOURNALISM FUTURES/INTERVIEWING/AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC/WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY.
THEMES: DEMOCRACY/JOURNALISM FUTURES/INTERVIEWING/AUSTRALIAN REPUBLIC/WILDLIFE PHOTOGRAPHY.
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#transitzone - TRANSITZONE : TRUMP 2.0 THE PROLOGUE | RSS.com
Donald Trump was sworn into office as the 47th president of the USA on the 20th of January this year, on a freezing Washington DC day. The ceremony was held, because of that forbidding weather, in the...
rss.com
#PODCAST “Trump 2.0:The Prologue”. @mediaactive.bsky.social in conversation with Melbourne writer, political commentator, @timdunlop.bsky.social, about the first roiling days of the second #Trump administration & what they portend for the future of #USA #democracy. #fascism rss.com/podcasts/tra...
OPINION There’s no doubt that the #USA Democratic Party needs to get its act together. The insidious process of “normalisation” of The Huckster, #Trump, over a long period is akin to the frog in a heating cauldron. #Media #journalism are inherently enablers, amplifiers. #democracy #fascism #USA
Never before in living memory has it been as urgent for America to have a strong opposition party. Which is why it’s so important for Democrats to take the steps I lay out in this video.
And if there are Democrats who won’t — we need to replace them with those who will.
And if there are Democrats who won’t — we need to replace them with those who will.
What Democrats SHOULD Be Doing
Robert Reich
www.youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:52 PM
OPINION There’s no doubt that the #USA Democratic Party needs to get its act together. The insidious process of “normalisation” of The Huckster, #Trump, over a long period is akin to the frog in a heating cauldron. #Media #journalism are inherently enablers, amplifiers. #democracy #fascism #USA
OPINION “In 2024, Tesla reported a profit of $7.1 billion but paid no corporate income tax, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy, or ITEP.” The #tax game in the #USA. #Trump #GOP #inequality flip.it/GTxmTv
Trump’s Quiet Giveaway to His Big Business Cronies
The resurrection, decline, rise, and fall of the corporate alternative minimum tax
flip.it
November 11, 2025 at 9:01 PM
OPINION “In 2024, Tesla reported a profit of $7.1 billion but paid no corporate income tax, according to an analysis by the nonprofit Institute of Taxation and Economic Policy, or ITEP.” The #tax game in the #USA. #Trump #GOP #inequality flip.it/GTxmTv
November 11, 2025 at 8:52 PM
“Algorithms can optimize efficiency, but they can’t decide between competing values — the very choices that lie at the heart of democratic politics.” #AI & #democracy? Opaque algorithms making decisions? Governance by machines? #dystopia #authoritarianism www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
Opinion | This Is No Way to Rule a Country
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:46 PM
“Algorithms can optimize efficiency, but they can’t decide between competing values — the very choices that lie at the heart of democratic politics.” #AI & #democracy? Opaque algorithms making decisions? Governance by machines? #dystopia #authoritarianism www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/o...
OPINION The insidious process of the “normalisation” of #Trump over a long period applies too to his manifestly declining mental capacities. It’s akin to the frog in the heating cauldron. There is no clear absolute alarm point. #fascism #USA #democracy #media robertreich.substack.com?utm_source=n...
Robert Reich | Substack
Daily newsletter exposing where power lies — and how it's used and abused. Click to read Robert Reich, a Substack publication with millions of subscribers.
robertreich.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:34 PM
OPINION The insidious process of the “normalisation” of #Trump over a long period applies too to his manifestly declining mental capacities. It’s akin to the frog in the heating cauldron. There is no clear absolute alarm point. #fascism #USA #democracy #media robertreich.substack.com?utm_source=n...
“The voices of the Oscar-winning actors can now be used to create #AI -generated versions in a new deal with ElevenLabs”. We’re now in an ersatz world of audio (voices) & visuals. Actual human performances will increasingly be replaced by synthetic confections. www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
Matthew McConaughey and Michael Caine sign voice deal with AI company
The voices of the Oscar-winning actors can now be used to create AI-generated versions in a new deal with ElevenLabs
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:07 PM
“The voices of the Oscar-winning actors can now be used to create #AI -generated versions in a new deal with ElevenLabs”. We’re now in an ersatz world of audio (voices) & visuals. Actual human performances will increasingly be replaced by synthetic confections. www.theguardian.com/culture/2025...
The #USA Democratic Party caved on the government shutdown. Barely a week after their election sweep. They. Caved. Where was senate minority leader @schumer.senate.gov I hear you ask. Playing both sides maybe? What did the Dems gain? Fuck all. An own goal. #Trump #GOP youtube.com/watch?v=eFI6...
Jon Stewart "Can't F**king Believe" Democrats Caved on the Shutdown | The Daily Show
YouTube video by The Daily Show
youtube.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:22 AM
The #USA Democratic Party caved on the government shutdown. Barely a week after their election sweep. They. Caved. Where was senate minority leader @schumer.senate.gov I hear you ask. Playing both sides maybe? What did the Dems gain? Fuck all. An own goal. #Trump #GOP youtube.com/watch?v=eFI6...
“The former PM Paul Keating says he advised Gough Whitlam to arrest the then governor general Sir John Kerr at the height of the dismissal saga, calling the incident a ‘coup’ from which Australian politics ‘never really recovered’”. #Republic ASAP? #democracy www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
Paul Keating says he advised Gough Whitlam to put John Kerr ‘under police arrest’ during dismissal saga
Former PM calls incident a ‘coup’ but recalls both he and Whitlam were concerned about potential for standoff between military and police
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:11 AM
“The former PM Paul Keating says he advised Gough Whitlam to arrest the then governor general Sir John Kerr at the height of the dismissal saga, calling the incident a ‘coup’ from which Australian politics ‘never really recovered’”. #Republic ASAP? #democracy www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
“It’s one of nature’s mysteries: How can woodpeckers, the smallest of which weigh less than an ounce, drill permanent holes into massive trees using only their tiny heads?” I have always wondered. #birds #wildlife
flip.it/3skAQm
flip.it/3skAQm
How tiny woodpeckers pack such a punch
A new study reveals how woodpeckers combine breathing and whole-body coordination to drill into trees with extraordinary force.
flip.it
November 11, 2025 at 3:31 AM
“It’s one of nature’s mysteries: How can woodpeckers, the smallest of which weigh less than an ounce, drill permanent holes into massive trees using only their tiny heads?” I have always wondered. #birds #wildlife
flip.it/3skAQm
flip.it/3skAQm
“Young voters drifted even further from the Coalition at the 2025 federal election & continued to regard #climatechange as a serious threat in large numbers.
The Coalition hit a record low 21 per cent primary among millennials, according to the Australian Election Study.” #auspol flip.it/gXEKG3
The Coalition hit a record low 21 per cent primary among millennials, according to the Australian Election Study.” #auspol flip.it/gXEKG3
New figures show Coalition's 'existential' millennial problem getting worse
As Liberals prepare to fly to Canberra to hash out their net zero stance, results from the Australian Election Study suggest those under 45 have continued to drift away from the Coalition.
flip.it
November 11, 2025 at 2:59 AM
“Young voters drifted even further from the Coalition at the 2025 federal election & continued to regard #climatechange as a serious threat in large numbers.
The Coalition hit a record low 21 per cent primary among millennials, according to the Australian Election Study.” #auspol flip.it/gXEKG3
The Coalition hit a record low 21 per cent primary among millennials, according to the Australian Election Study.” #auspol flip.it/gXEKG3
“Former prime minister John Howard says there was ‘no alternative’ but to dismiss Gough Whitlam, recalling the moment 50 years ago today.” Bullshit. He would say that wouldn’t he? #history #Dismissal #auspol www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
'No other alternative': Howard weighs in on Whitlam's controversial dismissal
John Howard, part of the Opposition at the time of the dismissal, said then governor-general Sir John Kerr made the right call.
www.sbs.com.au
November 11, 2025 at 2:46 AM
“Former prime minister John Howard says there was ‘no alternative’ but to dismiss Gough Whitlam, recalling the moment 50 years ago today.” Bullshit. He would say that wouldn’t he? #history #Dismissal #auspol www.sbs.com.au/news/article...
Remember when #USA presidential pardons were few in number & typically at the end of a president’s term? Not any more. #Trump is mining this power for all it’s worth. To reward, punish, seek personal advantage. Blatant #corruption in plain sight. #democracy #fascism www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Trump Pardons the Husband of a Republican Congressional Ally
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:30 AM
Remember when #USA presidential pardons were few in number & typically at the end of a president’s term? Not any more. #Trump is mining this power for all it’s worth. To reward, punish, seek personal advantage. Blatant #corruption in plain sight. #democracy #fascism www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
This is a fake story (midst the countless of them online). But a good case study to observe how the conspiracy theories might work. #Trump is renowned for stiffing suppliers and contractors. That context gives this claim a small jolt of plausibility.
November 11, 2025 at 2:22 AM
This is a fake story (midst the countless of them online). But a good case study to observe how the conspiracy theories might work. #Trump is renowned for stiffing suppliers and contractors. That context gives this claim a small jolt of plausibility.
OPINION @mrjohncrace.bsky.social “Maybe the #BBC could learn a thing or two from The Donald. Or even from Boris. Because when push came to shove, its Panorama team didn’t make a very good job of its untruth. Possibly because it hasn’t had as much practice.” #Trump
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
Maybe the BBC can learn a thing or two about fake news from Trump | John Crace
The broadcaster didn’t make a very good job of its untruth – possibly because it hasn’t had as much practice
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:52 AM
OPINION @mrjohncrace.bsky.social “Maybe the #BBC could learn a thing or two from The Donald. Or even from Boris. Because when push came to shove, its Panorama team didn’t make a very good job of its untruth. Possibly because it hasn’t had as much practice.” #Trump
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
www.theguardian.com/politics/202...
November 11, 2025 at 1:48 AM
November 11, 2025 at 1:46 AM
#HISTORY @palaceletters.bsky.social, Matt Harvey. Fifty years since “The Dismissal”, 11 November, 1975. johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
The Second Dismissal
In an extract from The Double Dismissal, Emeritus Professor Jenny Hocking, distinguished fellow of the Whitlam Institute within Western Sydney University, and Dr Matt Harvey, senior lecturer at Victor...
johnmenadue.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 AM
#HISTORY @palaceletters.bsky.social, Matt Harvey. Fifty years since “The Dismissal”, 11 November, 1975. johnmenadue.com/post/2025/11...
OPINION “Not satisfied it seems with the continued #genocide of Palestinians, #Israel is now looking to execute Palestinian prisoners by introducing a death penalty law.” #Netanyahu #fascism #Palestine
If Israel passes this horrific death penalty law, it is yet another reason for Canberra to end its timidity and impose sanctions on this rogue state. #auspol #Israel #Palestinian #Deathpenalty
OFFICIAL – Israel’s proposed death-penalty law is a war crime
Not satisfied it seems with the continued genocide of Palestinians, Israel is now looking to execute Palestinian prisoners by introducing a death penalty law.
johnmenadue.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:05 AM
OPINION “Not satisfied it seems with the continued #genocide of Palestinians, #Israel is now looking to execute Palestinian prisoners by introducing a death penalty law.” #Netanyahu #fascism #Palestine
Has @schumer.senate.gov runout of road as senate minority leader? I certainly hope so. The Democratic Party has so much material to lumber #Trump with heading in to the midterm elections. Health costs being a central one. That Gordian Knot must be solved. New, more courageous, effective leaders?
“Democrats are seething after news emerged that eight members of their Senate caucus had collaborated with Republicans on crafting a compromise to end the longest government shutdown in #USA history, without winning any healthcare concessions .” #Trump #GOP www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Angry Democrats call on Schumer to resign after eight vote to end shutdown
Some lawmakers and progressive groups blame minority leader after eight senators defect
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Has @schumer.senate.gov runout of road as senate minority leader? I certainly hope so. The Democratic Party has so much material to lumber #Trump with heading in to the midterm elections. Health costs being a central one. That Gordian Knot must be solved. New, more courageous, effective leaders?
“Democrats are seething after news emerged that eight members of their Senate caucus had collaborated with Republicans on crafting a compromise to end the longest government shutdown in #USA history, without winning any healthcare concessions .” #Trump #GOP www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Angry Democrats call on Schumer to resign after eight vote to end shutdown
Some lawmakers and progressive groups blame minority leader after eight senators defect
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:44 PM
“Democrats are seething after news emerged that eight members of their Senate caucus had collaborated with Republicans on crafting a compromise to end the longest government shutdown in #USA history, without winning any healthcare concessions .” #Trump #GOP www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
“The ( #USA) Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, in part because of a lack of qualified candidates.” We know why. #ruleoflaw #democracy #fascism #Trump www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Justice Department struggles as thousands exit — and few are replaced
The Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, in part because of a lack of qualified candidates.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:41 PM
“The ( #USA) Justice Department has lost thousands of experienced attorneys and backfilled a fraction of the open jobs, in part because of a lack of qualified candidates.” We know why. #ruleoflaw #democracy #fascism #Trump www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
On this Dismissal Fiftieth Anniversary, I think it’s fair to say Gough Whitlam was our most reformist PM. But sadly, we still live with the long tail of Howardism. We see it in the timorous, self-wedging incrementalism of @albomp.bsky.social. & the imploding of the Liberal Party. #democracy #auspol
We are watching the Liberal Party rip itself to pieces around #climatechange. Their right wing & the Nationals are entirely on the wrong side of history. A more major realignment of political parties is possible. The transition to #renewables continues. #auspol www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
‘They didn’t realise how pissed off we would be’: Sussan Ley risks losing MPs regardless of where net zero debate lands
As the Liberal party prepares to take a position on the contentious climate target, the risk of resignations doesn’t just rest on one outcome
www.theguardian.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:39 PM
On this Dismissal Fiftieth Anniversary, I think it’s fair to say Gough Whitlam was our most reformist PM. But sadly, we still live with the long tail of Howardism. We see it in the timorous, self-wedging incrementalism of @albomp.bsky.social. & the imploding of the Liberal Party. #democracy #auspol
“They’ve got the Republican Party, you see, which is the equivalent of our Conservative Party. Then there’s the Democratic Party, which is the equivalent of our Conservative Party.” Jonathan Miller, “Beyond the Fringe”.
You could pretty much replace "GOP" for Australia's Lib/Nat Coalition or the British Tories, and "Dems" for the ALP or the British Labour Party, and it would fit quite neatly.
Funny that.
Funny that.
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
November 10, 2025 at 9:42 PM
“They’ve got the Republican Party, you see, which is the equivalent of our Conservative Party. Then there’s the Democratic Party, which is the equivalent of our Conservative Party.” Jonathan Miller, “Beyond the Fringe”.
Last week, the Supreme Court heard oral argument in the challenge to President Trump's use of the International Emergency Economic Powers Act to impose tariffs. Joshua Villanueva, Kristijan Barnjak, and Rebecca Qiu provide an overview of the arguments and the justices’ line of questioning.
Oral Argument Summary: Learning Resources, Inc. v. Trump (Tariffs)
At stake is whether IEEPA authorizes tariff measures, and if so, whether that delegation violates constitutional principles of nondelegation.
lawfaremedia.org
November 10, 2025 at 9:06 PM
“Fringe-lipped bats (Trachops cirrhosus) are one of nine known species of carnivorous bats. They weigh as much as a standard bag of crisps, and because they are little, researchers expected they would target prey much smaller than themselves. Not so.” #bats #wildlife flip.it/sIptW7
20 meat-eating bats fitted with hi-tech backpacks. Scientists stunned to record them hunting like lions | Discover Wildlife
The winged mammals use a ‘hang-and-wait’ strategy to successfully capture large prey, a new study finds.
flip.it
November 10, 2025 at 9:04 PM
“Fringe-lipped bats (Trachops cirrhosus) are one of nine known species of carnivorous bats. They weigh as much as a standard bag of crisps, and because they are little, researchers expected they would target prey much smaller than themselves. Not so.” #bats #wildlife flip.it/sIptW7