Imagining Year 2020 Without Fauci, Redfield, USIAID, and the CDC

People didn’t need government, or entities created by government. They also didn't require force to protect themselves. Let’s never forget this. Better yet, let’s make this truth clear over and over again.

Ok, what truth? The truth that the American people along with people around the world adjusted to the spreading coronavirus much more quickly than did their self-appointed political minders.

As I point out in my new book When Politicians Panicked, New York City mayor de Blasio was encouraging increasingly cautious New Yorkers to go see movies at a time when more and more of them were staying home, plus he was riding the city’s subways to encourage ridership that was on decline as a consequence of fear about the virus.

In the U.S.’s allegedly science-denying red states, as in the states that locked down last, citizens had become more than cautious well before the wholly superfluous and destructive lockdowns reared their ugly heads. They were dining out less, washing their hands more, avoiding crowds more. It’s funny how fear of potential hospitalization or death focuses the mind on avoiding either outcome.

Notable about this very human desire to cheat illness, it wasn’t just an American thing. Holman Jenkins pointed out last summer that masks and hand sanitizer were scarce in Germany at a time when Angela Merkel was still downplaying the virus.

The people are a market. Repeat this truth too, over and over again. While processing limited information, they began to take precautions. Government force in 2020 was wholly unnecessary.

Which raises a basic question about Anthony Fauci, Robert Redfield, USIAID and the CDC. What if the two political bureaucrats lacked their well-funded taxpayer-funded perches? Would Americans have dropped dead in high numbers? The question itself insults the American people, along with human nature.

Up front, people respond to incentives. They respond to reality. If the virus had been an indiscriminate killer, the lengths Americans would have gone to in order to avoid infection would have well exceeded what any politician or government drone could have ever imagined. At the same time, it’s worth pointing out that if the virus had been a rabid life ender, we would have known it well in advance of it reaching the U.S. Think the internet. Think the smartphone. China is dense with them. If its people had been dying en masse, there’s no way this could have been hidden.

After which, it’s useful to point out the obvious; that Redfield and Fauci didn’t invent communications, the internet or smartphones, so without the two functionaries word about a spreading virus would have just as easily reached the American people. Some will point out how contradictory Fauci has been over the last 14 months about the virus, masks and other things related, but that’s shooting fish in a barrel.

https://www.realclearmarkets.com/articles/2021/05/20/imagining_year_2020_without_fauci_redfield_usiaid_and_the_cdc_777333.html

Great Ormond Street Hospital porter, 55, who sexually assaulted boys 'thousands of times', hid night vision camera in child's room and stole toys from ward to groom victims is jailed for at least 18 years

Paul Farrell, 55, was jailed for life and must serve a minimum of 18 years in prison

He admitted 69 sexual assault charges against 8 victims between 1985 and 2020

Wood Green Crown Court heard how he had preyed on several sets of brothers

Prosecutors said former hospital porter Farrell carried out several hundred acts of sexual assault over period of abuse lasting 35 years on boys aged five to 16

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-9612537/Great-Ormond-Street-porter-jailed-18-years-sexual-offences-against-young-boys.html

Dems Urge Justice Breyer To Step Down Before Midterms To "Avoid Another 'RBG' Situation"

As President Biden and Nancy Pelosi slow-roll Democrats' plans to pack the Supreme Court (even as they insisted that they don't have a position on the issue but agree it should be "studied further"), the Democratic grass roots is trying to ensure that Democrats don't make the same mistake twice.

The mistake we're referring to here is, of course, the decision by former Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg to stay on after President Obama left office (though, to be fair, the fact that Obama couldn't get a vote on Merrick Garland, it's unclear whether her retirement would have ultimately stopped the seat from being filled by a Republican).

Still, a growing number on the left see RBG's decision as a critical error and a strike against her legacy. While few Democratic lawmakers have spoken out directly in support of Breyer retiring now, progressive groups are growing increasingly vocal about suggesting him to "consider" stepping down before the next election, to ensure that President Biden and the Democrat-controlled Senate have a chance to confirm his replacement before the start of campaign season.

At 82, Breyer is the eldest justice on the court.

https://www.zerohedge.com/political/dems-urge-justice-breyer-step-down-midterms-avoid-another-rbg-situation

U.S. Looks To Uzbekistan And Tajikistan For Troops Departing Afghanistan

The U.S. is working on finding locations for new bases for its troops and gear after the Afghanistan withdrawal.

The Pentagon wishes to keep its footprint in Central Asia and the Middle East.

Preferable, in accordance with some navy and Biden administration officers, could be Uzbekistan and Tajikistan, which border Afghanistan and would permit for fast entry, the WSJ reported.

Zalmay Khalilzad, the U.S. special envoy for Afghanistan, traveled to Uzbekistan and Tajikistan earlier, and discussed efforts to establish peace in Afghanistan, and this reportedly is of concern to both of its neighbors.

The hastened planning to seek out regional footholds for the U.S. navy is a part of a common scramble to fulfill the September deadline set by US President Joe Biden.

Tajikistan and Uzbekistan are not interested in hosting American troops withdrawn from Afghanistan on their territory, Zamir Kabulov, Russian President’s Special Representative for Afghanistan, Director of the Second Asia Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed in an interview with Izvestia.

“Our contacts with Tajik and Uzbek partners indicate that there was no official appeal to them. This time. Secondly, they made it clear that this is Therefore, we do not have to particularly oppose this,” Kabulov said, commenting on a recent report by The Wall Street Journal about the interest of the States in deploying military bases in these states.

At the same time, the diplomat recalled that Tajikistan is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), therefore “such decisions must be approved by the organization.”

“Uzbekistan is not a member of the CSTO, but it has a strategic partnership with Russia. In addition, a law has been passed in Uzbekistan prohibiting the creation of foreign military bases on the country’s territory. So we do not need to worry too much about this,” Kabulov summed up in an interview with the outlet.

As Interfax previously reported, in early May, The Wall Street Journal, citing US military officials, wrote that American analysts were considering the countries of Central Asia and the Middle East as an option to move troops and equipment from Afghanistan.

According to the publication of The Wall Street Journal, the redeployment of troops, unmanned aerial vehicles, bombers and artillery to these regions, the creation of military bases in the countries of the region, according to US analysts, will continue to control the Taliban in Afghanistan to avoid hostilities after the withdrawal of foreign troops

https://southfront.org/u-s-looks-to-uzbekistan-and-tajikistan-for-troops-departing-afghanistan/

Looking for a new home of the poppy farms?

Nuestra Familia Gang Kingoin Salvador Castro Sentenced For Running Drug Ring From California Prison

FRESNO, Calif. — Salvador Castro Jr., 51, of Fresno, was sentenced today to 17 years and six months in prison for conspiring to sell over 500 grams of meth from a California prison.

Castro was one of more than 50 individuals charged in June 2019 as part of Operation Red Reaper, a federal, state, and local law enforcement operation targeted at dismantling the criminal activities of the Nuestra Familia Prison Gang in the counties of Kings and Tulare. At the conclusion of the operation, federal charges were brought against 23 of those defendants, with the remaining being charged by the local District Attorney’s Office.

According to court documents, Castro is a high-ranking Nuestra Familia prison gang member, who was serving a 26-year-to-life sentence for a third-strike offense. In 2019, from inside his cell in Pleasant Valley State Prison, Castro used contraband cellphones to organize and lead a group of Norteno street gang members in Kings and Tulare Counties. Castro recruited gang members, encouraged them to commit robberies, and coordinated the transportation, delivery, and resale of pounds of cocaine and methamphetamine.

He pleaded guilty on Jan. 12, 2021. Judge Drozd ordered that his federal sentence be served consecutive to the state sentence he had been serving when he committed the offense.

https://breaking911.com/nuestra-familia-gang-kingoin-salvador-castro-sentenced-for-running-drug-ring-from-california-prison/

China Responds to Report of Wuhan Lab Staff Becoming Sick Before COVID-19 Outbreak

The Chinese regime denied on Monday that lab staff in Wuhan were infected with COVID-19 before the pandemic, in response to a question about a WSJ report.

On May 23, the Wall Street Journal reported on an undisclosed U.S. intelligence report about three researchers at the Wuhan Institute of Virology (WIV) who sought hospital care with COVID-19-like symptoms in November 2019—one month before the onset of the “patient zero” identified by the CCP regime.

The regime asserted again that the CCP virus originated outside China.

Zhao Lijian, the spokesman of the Chinese Foreign Affairs Ministry, accused the United States of releasing the CCP virus from Fort Detrick military base in Maryland during a news briefing in Beijing on May 24.

Zhao ignored the fact that the CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus, started infecting people in Wuhan, central China’s Hubei Province, where the WIV is located, in late 2019. All of the first patients in other countries were infected weeks later and were connected to Wuhan directly or indirectly.

Zhao repeated the CCP’s claim that: “The WIV hadn’t been exposed to novel coronavirus 2019 before Dec. 30, 2019. Until now, the staff and students at WIV keep a zero-infection record.”

On Jan. 15, the U.S. state department released a fact sheet about the WIV, in which it said: “The U.S. government has reason to believe that several researchers inside the WIV became sick in autumn 2019, before the first identified case of the outbreak, with symptoms consistent with both COVID-19 and common seasonal illnesses.”

Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of the U.S. National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), told PolitiFact on May 11 that he is now “not convinced” that COVID-19 developed naturally.

Dr. Rochelle Walensky, director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), said in Senate testimony on May 19 that it “certainly” was “one possibility” that the CCP virus could have originated in a laboratory.

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said at a press briefing on May 24 that the government still needs to do more research. “We don’t have enough information to draw a conclusion of the origins. There is a need to look into a range of options. We need data, we need independent investigation.”

https://www.ntd.com/china-responds-to-report-of-wuhan-lab-staff-becoming-sick-before-covid-19-outbreak_617557.html

University of Virginia bans unvaccinated students from in-person classes, campus

Students who have not been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 vaccine cannot step foot on university grounds.

University of Virginia students who have not been fully vaccinated against the COVID-19 vaccine will be barred from participating in in-person classes in the fall semester and cannot step foot on university grounds, school leaders announced Monday.

Students will have to provide proof of vaccination by July 1 if they want to take in-person classes or be on university grounds. Students can request a medical or religious exemption to the requirement. If granted, they will be required to take weekly COVID-19 tests and other health measures.

“This approach will enable our students to return to a residential academic setting where they can live, study, and gather together safely,” UVA President Jim Ryan and other university leaders said in an email message.

A person is considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they have received all required doses of a vaccine.

In late April, Attorney General Mark Herring issued a formal opinion that universities have the authority to require COVID-19 vaccinations as a condition of in-person enrollment. The decision was written to provide guidance to universities establishing their protocol for the upcoming semester; however, an attorney general opinion is not legally binding, so a student could make a legal challenge to the university’s requirement.

“We have seen how crucial vaccinations will be for keeping the COVID-19 pandemic under control and putting us on a path towards normalcy,” Herring said in reference to his opinion. “Virginia’s college and university students deserve the chance to go to classes in-person and take advantage of all that their schools have to offer, but over the past year we have seen numerous COVID outbreaks on school campuses, so we must make sure that they are doing so with the health and safety of their peers and communities in mind.”

UVA employees are not yet required to get the COVID-19 vaccine as a condition of employment, but they are strongly encouraged to get the vaccination. In its statement, the university said it will monitor employee vaccination rates and consult health experts as they consider whether to enact such a mandate.

A person who has received his or her full vaccination will not be required to wear masks indoors or outdoors, per university rules. However, social distancing rules are still in place.

Other major universities in the commonwealth have not yet made vaccines a requirement, but have also not ruled out the possibility.

“At the current time, Virginia Tech does not require students or employees to receive a COVID-19 vaccine, but we encourage everyone in the university community to do so,” Virginia Tech Associate Vice President for University Relations told The Center Square. “Having said that, we continue to consider and discuss that issue in relationship to the fall semester. When the university has new or updated guidance on this topic, we will share broadly as well as with you.”

James Madison University has also not established a requirement, but a spokesperson told The Center Square to monitor the university’s website on decisions related to a vaccine requirement.

Spokespersons for Virginia Commonwealth University, George Mason University and Old Dominion University did not respond to a request for comment.

https://justthenews.com/nation/states/uva-bars-unvaccinated-students-barred-person-classes

>>13747625

fisherman catches fish doesn't starve wow

DeSantis Torches Reporter, Asks Why Iran Leader Allowed To ‘Talk About Killing Jews’ On Social Media But Trump Is Banned

Republican Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis torched a reporter Monday who asked whether the governor signed a Big Tech censorship bill because of former President Donald Trump.

“You’re loyal to former President Donald Trump, and Donald Trump is now a resident in Florida and he was de-platformed,” the unidentified reporter asks. “Is this bill for him?”

“The bill is for everyday Floridians, this is what we’ve said and it will allow any Floridian to be able to provide what they’re doing. But I do think that’s another issue that has been brought to bear: when you de-platform the president of the United States but you let Ayatollah Khomeini talk about killing Jews, that is wrong,” DeSantis said, referring to the Supreme Leader of Iran.

https://dailycaller.com/2021/05/24/ron-desantis-big-tech-ban-donald-trump-ayatollah-khomeini-iran-jews/

United Airlines Unveils 'Your Shot to Fly' Sweepstakes to Encourage COVID-19 Vaccinations in US

As COVID-19 vaccination rates have declined in the US, a number of American companies have launched related promotional campaigns. Within recent months, McDonald's, Uber, Krispy Kreme and Shake Shack have all rolled out efforts to encourage Americans to get the COVID-19 vaccine.

United Airlines announced on Monday that it would be offering vaccinated loyalty program members the opportunity to win free flights for a year's worth of travel.

"We're proud to do our part to incentivize people to get their shot," United CEO Scott Kirby said in a quoted statement.

The promotional campaign comes in support of the multibillion-dollar public education effort launched by US President Joe Biden's administration.

In order to win, new or existing 'MileagePlus' members have to upload their COVID-19 vaccination card to the United mobile app, or website, by June 22.

"Thanks to the vaccine, more and more destinations are opening up for travel – and we know our customers are eager to fly," Kirby added. "We're excited to give people one more reason to get vaccinated so they can reunite with friends and family or take that long-awaited vacation which all could be just one shot away."

The airline joins a number of companies that have launched campaigns encouraging COVID-19 vaccinations, including Shake Shack, McDonald's and OKCupid.

Being vaccinated means being one step closer to finding a boo. Daters who add OkCupid’s “I’m Vaccinated” profile badge will receive a free “Boost.”

— OkCupid (@okcupid) May 21, 2021

On Friday, Shake Shack rolled out its 'Get Vaxxed, Get Shack' campaign offering vaccinated patrons free french fries with their sandwich purchase. Customers have to present their COVID-19 vaccine card in order to receive the promotion.

Additionally, McDonald's unveiled its 'We Can Do This' campaign earlier this month - an effort that is backed by US President Joe Biden's administration's multibillion-dollar public education effort.

In addition to offering vaccine-themed packaging on their products, the US-based company will also unveil a pro-vaccine billboard in New York's Times Square.

https://sputniknews.com/business/202105251082987404-united-airlines-unveils-your-shot-to-fly-sweepstakes-to-encourage-covid-19-vaccinations-in-the-us/

‘Apply common sense’: Health Minister defends supermarket QR code check-in system

Health Minister Martin Foley has defended the government’s failure to make QR code check-ins mandatory at supermarkets in Victoria, saying shoppers “should apply common sense” when spending a lengthy period in a store.

Victoria does not compel supermarkets to gather QR code data from shoppers, nor does NSW. Only South Australia and Western Australia compel supermarkets to gather the details of their customers.

The Andrews government “highly recommends” people use its Service Victoria QR code system when they visit a supermarket – but almost no encouragement is given to shoppers to sign in when they arrive.

At a range of other venues, managers are required to collect QR code sign-ins. There has been limited enforcement of this by venues or the Victorian government.

“There are so many inconsistencies here – why aren’t QR codes mandatory?” said opposition health spokeswoman Georgie Crozier.

Discussion of QR code rules comes after a person from Wollert who tested positive for coronavirus was last week wrongly identified as having shopped at a Woolworths in Epping.

The correct Woolworths – at Epping North – was on Tuesday added to Victoria’s list of “tier one” sites. Had QR code gathering been enforced at the supermarket, the mistake would have been less likely.

“We just can’t afford what’s happened at Epping, and the government keeps making these sorts of mistakes,” Ms Crozier said. “Why are supermarkets exempt? You go into a hairdresser and you have to sign in, and next door is a supermarket where you don’t. Why do we have these inconsistencies?”

https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/apply-common-sense-health-minister-defends-supermarket-qr-code-check-in-system-20210525-p57uv3.html

Australianazi's going for it

Kek these fuckers have got some front

>>13747803

CDC Silent On Restrictions Guidance For Unvaccinated COVID-19 Survivors

The Centers For Disease Control still won’t release guidance on what behavior is safe for unvaccinated individuals who have recovered from COVID-19.

The CDC has failed to respond to multiple inquiries from the Daily Caller about whether or not the agency will update its restrictions guidance for unvaccinated people who survived COVID-19. Numerous studies have shown that individuals previously infected with COVID-19 possess antibodies granting them a degree of natural immunity, and some research has suggested natural immunity may rival the efficacy of a vaccine.

One study from Qatar found that individuals who made a full recovery from COVID-19 may possess up to 95% effective immunity against serious reinfection, which is in the same range as the protection provided by vaccines from Moderna and Pfizer. Others have shown that individuals possess antibodies for a number of months after being infected, and reinfection during that time period is relatively unlikely in most populations.

The one demographic that does not seem to benefit as much from natural immunity is the elderly; one study indicated that people 65 and older may barely have half the protection against reinfection as their younger peers.

Still, the CDC’s refusal to address the third group of Americans — unvaccinated populations who have recovered from COVID-19 — along with vaccinated and unvaccinated people, ignores a potentially sizable group of people who could safely re-enter the economy and public life.

The agency’s recent guidance indicates a focus on pushing more Americans toward vaccination, rather than strictly following science. Research showing the high efficacy of vaccines was public months before officials relaxed restrictions for vaccinated individuals, and both President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris have issued ultimatums in recent weeks: get vaccinated, or continue to wear a mask. Instead of providing behavioral guidance for previously infected individuals the agency simply recommends that people with natural immunity still get vaccinated, since it’s not entirely clear how long natural immunity lasts or how strong it is.

https://dailycaller.com/2021/05/24/cdc-guidance-natural-immunity-covid-19-coronavirus/

Police received 40 reports of alleged sexual misconduct by federal MPs and staffers in past three months

The safety of political staffers is again in the spotlight after police confirmed they'd received 40 reports of alleged sexual misconduct involving federal MPs and workers in the past three months.

The complaints relate to 19 separate allegations, made through an 1800 police hotline established after the alleged rape of former Liberal staffer Brittany Higgins.

The AFP Commissioner Reece Kershaw wasn't able to tell Senate Estimates whether any of the alleged incidents had occurred inside Parliament House, where Ms Higgins was allegedly sexually assaulted in March 2019.

In the wake of her allegations, Prime Minister Scott Morrison commissioned a report from his Department into the procedures relating to serious incidents in the workplace.

Mr Morrison confirmed this morning he had received the findings, including a series of recommendations made by Prime Minister and Cabinet deputy secretary Stephanie Foster.

Beyond measures already in place, her recommendations include:

Implementation of a face-to-face education program helping managers and staff understand their obligations in relation to a safe and respectful workplace, and to recognise and respond appropriately to serious incidents or patterns of behaviour in the workplace

Development of an independent, confidential, complaints mechanism for serious incidents - this body of work is more detailed and complex and will require consultation across the parliament

https://www.9news.com.au/national/parliament-house-safety-report-police-receive-40-complaints-against-mps-and-staffers/3709b333-9965-4aa8-9ce4-9289c48a4511

Power outage hits Brisbane, Gold Coast and Caboolture, Energex says

A widespread power outage affecting 375,000 homes and businesses in south-east Queensland is being investigated.

Powerlink Queensland, the operators of the state's high-voltage electricity transmission network, tweeted it was "investigating an outage impacting power supply".

Energy supplier Energex said the outage affected customers from Gold Coast to Caboolture.

"Cause and duration unknown — we are investigating urgently," they posted on Facebook.

"Please assist by only contacting us for life-threatening issues, as our call teams have no additional details they can provide at this time."

Traffic lights are also affected and Queensland Traffic warned drivers to take care, while one person on Twitter said they drove through 11 blacked-out lights.

Bernard from the Gold Coast told ABC Radio Brisbane power went out about 2:15pm.

"Traffic lights are out, it's not going to be fun," he said.

Listener Tony said no lights were operating down Logan Road at Springwood, south of Brisbane.

As far north as Gympie, caller Tim said his workspace, a shopping centre and traffic lights on the city's southside lost power at the same time.

A Maryborough resident said power went out in the city at 2:07pm and then returned, while power was also out in Stanthorpe in southern Queensland.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-25/qld-widespread-power-outages-across-brisbane/100164200

Troy Buswell's ex-wife Melissa Hankinson breaks down as she details alleged abusive relationship

The ex-wife of former WA treasurer Troy Buswell has broken down in tears while testifying that she was called names and repeatedly assaulted by him, including being punched to the jaw and kicked in the body.

Key points:

Troy Buswell allegedly punched and kicked his ex-wife

Melissa Hankinson says she pleaded with him to stop

Mr Buswell denies all charges against him

Melissa Hankinson was giving evidence at Mr Buswell's trial on six charges of domestic violence offences that were alleged to have happened on numerous occasions during their five-year relationship.

Giving evidence via video link from another room, Ms Hankinson began crying as she told the court Mr Buswell would pick on her and call her names, including "uneducated bogan" and "a programmed liar" — which she was said was a reference to her working as a police officer.

She also claimed he told her she lived in "shitsville" and "boganville" and made disparaging remarks about the size of her nose.

Ms Hankinson said she would plead with Mr Buswell to stop.

"I'm not a bogan, I'm not a liar, I'm not a conwoman, I am proud of who I am," she said.

Troy Buswell 'punched and repeatedly kicked me'

Ms Hankinson detailed some of the alleged assaults, including one on Valentine's Day in 2016 in which she said Mr Buswell "whacked' her twice with a hard plastic spoon.

She said the incident happened after he had brought her some "lovely" flowers and champagne and they had finished dinner.

Twelve days later, she alleged Mr Buswell punched her in the jaw, pushed her to the floor and repeatedly kicked her in the body whilst wearing cowboy boots after they returned to his mother's home from a party in Dunsborough.

She cried as she told the court she "did not see" the punch coming.

As she sat on the bed to take off her shoes, she said Mr Buswell pushed her onto the carpet and kicked her as she tried to crawl out of the bedroom.

When asked if she fought back, she replied "No. I had become numb to it. Just ignore it and it won't get worse. Just shut up and just stop it."

She also testified she was determined not to be violent back to Mr Buswell, because it would make her "just as bad as him".

"I'm not that person. I won't stoop that low," she said.

Mr Buswell denies all the allegations against him.

HIs lawyer, Tom Percy QC said Ms Hankinson's allegations were a vindictive act of revenge, because the relationship had turned out to be a disappointment for her.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-25/troy-buswell-allegedly-punched-kicked-ex-wife/100162710

Adelaide DJ Nicholas Athans accepted into SA Police training academy before arrest, court hears

An Adelaide DJ who groomed four teenage girls by sending sexually explicit photos had been accepted to become a police officer like his father when he was arrested, a court has heard.

Key points:

Nicholas Athans was found guilty in January of procuring children to engage in sexual activity

The court today heard that Athans had been accepted into the SAPOL training academy before his arrest

The prosecutor said the young girls who received images from Athans were "repulsed"

Nicholas Emmanuel Athans, 26, used social media platform Snapchat to send photos to four girls aged between 14 and 16 and was found guilty of four counts of procuring a child to engage in sexual activity.

Athans was the owner of the business Yeah Hard Entertainment at the time, which organised high school formal after-parties, among other events.

He was also a DJ at a number of popular Adelaide nightclubs.

Athans initially contacting three of the girls on Facebook Messenger after obtaining their details from an event he was promoting.

He then encouraged them to add him on Snapchat, which he then used to send them messages and unidentified nude photographs.

The messages included "come here now", "sneak out" and "we should hang … I'll make it worth your while".

The court previously heard the girls were offered free tickets to shows if they responded to his Snapchat messages or offered him something in return

During sentencing submissions, the District Court heard Athans committed one of the offences while he was on bail for the first three crimes.

Athans' lawyer, Marie Shaw QC, told the court her client had contributed a lot to society before his arrest and had applied to become a police officer in 2016 — like his father.

"He was accepted … and it was anticipated he would commence in that training in 2017," she told the court.

She said Athans had not only lost that employment, but DJ work.

"The police seized his laptop where his music was stored and therefore for that time, he was unable to access his music which enabled him to work as a DJ," she said.

Ms Shaw said her client had suffered Bell's Palsy — paralysis on one side of his face — from the stress of the court proceedings and would not receive the appropriate health treatment and mental health support if he were sent to prison.

"This is indeed a severe punishment that has occurred in connection to the stress of these proceedings," Ms Shaw told the court.

"He will suffer from his Bell's Palsy, through his shame, through his depression and we ask Your Honour to give him a chance to return.

"My submission is to sentence my client in such a way that this young man's life is not lost."

Lawyer pushes for suspended sentence

She urged Justice Sophie David to suspend his sentence or allow him to serve it in home detention, saying he had been subjected to "harsh treatment" when he was briefly remanded in custody after breaching his bail, had the support of his close-knit family and girlfriend and had good prospects of rehabilitation.

Ms Shaw told the court the offending was somewhat unusual because the images sent through social media app Snapchat had disappeared after about five seconds and there was no evidence that there had been any adverse impact on the victims who had been engaging in "adult-like activities".

But prosecutor Ryan Williams told the court the girls were "repulsed" by the images they had received.

He said Athans should be imprisoned due to the persistent nature of the offending and another recent allegation of breaching his bail — which is contested.

"The defendant feels victimised, feels that he's been wrongly convicted," Mr Williams told the court.

"The failure to accept responsibility goes against prospects of rehabilitation; the first step towards treatment, of course, is accepting responsibility.

"The use by immature children … of social media whereby they expose themselves to exploitation by adults who are minded to take advantage of them is prevalent in our society."

Justice David will sentence Athans next week.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-05-25/dj-guilty-of-procuring-children-for-sex-nicholas-athans-in-court/100163702