Anti-vaxxer ridiculed over mind-boggling question after ‘freedom’ rally

An anti-vaxxer has consulted a group of peers over what she believed to be a suspicious sight at a “freedom” rally in Sydney.

A mind-boggling post online has highlighted just how far gone Australia’s small group of anti-vaxxers are as the rest of the country returns to regular life.

While 96.4% of the nation is double-vaccinated against Covid and almost all restrictions have been dropped, a group of loyal protesters continue to take to the streets in Sydney each week.

At a protest held at Sydney’s Town Hall on Sunday as part of the “Worldwide Freedom Rally”, one attendee spotted something she thought looked out of place.

In a post shared to an anti-vaxxer Facebook group following the event, she consulted members about what she saw, sharing photos of what she believed to be a troubling sight.

“OK I would like some clarification on what these things are …. they were switched on at the rally today in Sydney,” her post ready.

The “things” in question weren’t some obscure unrecognisable objects, they were – to no one’s surprise – street lights.

While her ridiculous post was deleted a short time later, it remained on the page long enough for screenshots to be taken and shared elsewhere on the internet.

More than 2000 people couldn’t believe what they were reading after it was shared on Reddit, where the poster wrote: “anti-vaxxer mad at checks notes streetlights”.

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/antivaxxer-ridiculed-over-mindboggling-question-after-freedom-rally/news-story/a7104a10cc74c2c2e5b62804103ffcff

==Many made sarcastic suggestions about what anti-vaxxers were likely to believe about the street lights.

“They are 5G scanners that double as vaccination spray when you pass under them. It’s such a fine mist you can’t see it. Special government operations,” one wrote.

“Wrong, they simply scan people’s vaccination chips and place an invisible mark on unvaccinated people using lasers, so that they can be easily identified. People may think they have a sunburn on the back of their neck, but it’s really their mark,” another joked.

Rally attendees, according to the Australia Freedom Rally website, were protesting against lockdowns, mask mandates, vaccine mandates, vaccine passports, business closures and “medical apartheid”.

Among the speakers at a similar rally held in Melbourne was controversial former MP Craig Kelly, who boasted to the crowd: “my pronouns are awake, free and unvaxxed”.

Protesters received a blunt response from other Australians, confused over what they were actually rallying for given the country has long been rid of strict Covid rules.

Vaccination against Covid is voluntary in Australia, however has been strongly recommended based on its protection against severe illness and death.

Certain circumstances call on proof of vaccination to be presented though, like some workplaces like residential aged care where mandatory vaccination came into effect last year.

https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/antivaxxer-ridiculed-over-mindboggling-question-after-freedom-rally/news-story/a7104a10cc74c2c2e5b62804103ffcff

This is weird propaganda

Biden says U.S. forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion

WASHINGTON, Sept 18 (Reuters) - U.S. President Joe Biden said U.S forces would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, his most explicit statement so far on the issue, something sure to anger Beijing.

Asked in a CBS 60 Minutes interview broadcast on Sunday whether U.S. forces would defend the self-ruled island claimed by China, he replied: "Yes, if in fact, there was an unprecedented attack."

Asked to clarify if he meant that unlike in Ukraine, U.S. forces - American men and women - would defend Taiwan in the event of a Chinese invasion, Biden replied: "Yes."

The interview was just the latest time that Biden has appeared to go beyond long-standing stated U.S. policy on Taiwan, but his statement was clearer than previous ones about committing U.S. troops to the defend the island.

The United States has long stuck to a policy of "strategic ambiguity" and not making clear whether it would respond militarily to an attack on Taiwan.

Asked to comment, a White House spokesperson said U.S. policy towards Taiwan had not changed.

"The President has said this before, including in Tokyo earlier this year. He also made clear then that our Taiwan policy hasn’t changed. That remains true," the spokesperson said.

The CBS interview with Biden was conducted last week. The president is in Britain for Queen Elizabeth's funeral on Monday.

In May, Biden was asked if he was willing to get involved militarily to defend Taiwan and replied: "Yes … That's the commitment we made."

In the 60 Minutes interview, Biden reiterated the United States did not support Taiwanese independence and remained committed to a "One-China" policy in which Washington officially recognizes Beijing not Taipei.

Biden's remarks are sure to enrage Beijing, which was greatly angered by a visit to Taiwan by U.S. House speaker Nancy Pelosi in August.

That visit promoted China to conducted its largest-ever military exercises around Taiwan and China has protested moves by U.S. lawmakers to advanced legislation that would enhance U.S. military support for Taiwan. read more

Chinese President Xi Jinping has vowed to bring democratically-governed Taiwan under Beijing's control and has not ruled out the use of force.

There was no immediate response to a request for comment from China's embassy in Washington.

In a phone call with Biden in July, Xi warned against playing with fire over Taiwan, saying "those who play with fire will perish by it." read more

https://www.reuters.com/world/biden-says-us-forces-would-defend-taiwan-event-chinese-invasion-2022-09-18/

Former investment NSW boss Amy Brown sacked in wake of John Barilaro job saga

The NSW bureaucrat at the centre of the controversial appointment of John Barilaro to a US trade role has been sacked.

Key points:

A review found Amy Brown failed to adhere to the Code of Ethics when appointing former deputy premier John Barilaro to a trade job earlier this year

The secretary for the Department of Premier and Cabinet say Ms Brown can no longer hold office

In a LinkedIn post, Ms Brown said leadership could at times be "difficult"

Amy Brown was the CEO of Investment NSW — the government body responsible for hiring senior trade and investment commissioners — when former deputy premier John Barilaro was selected for the Americas job.

Between June and August Ms Brown was grilled three times by a parliamentary inquiry into the Barilaro appointment, and an independent report by Graeme Head AO found she failed to act in accordance with the Code of Ethics and Conduct for government sector employees.

This morning the secretary of the Department of Premier and Cabinet, Michael Coutts-Trotter, issued a statement saying Ms Brown would no longer be employed by the government.

Although she lost her position of chief executive of Investment NSW last month, she had kept the higher position of secretary of the Department of Enterprise, Investment and Trade.

However, Mr Coutts-Trotter said the conclusions made by the Head review meant Ms Brown could no longer continue to hold office.

"It’s a privilege to hold a role as a senior leader in the NSW public service. With this, rightly, comes a high degree of accountability," Mr Coutts-Trotter said.

"I acknowledge that dealing with the events of recent months, and doing so under such intense public scrutiny, has weighed heavily on Ms Brown.

"I want to thank her for her service."

'Leadership can be difficult'

The Head report found Ms Brown had kept information from other members of the job panel, including the fact she discussed Mr Barilaro's suitability with the then minister for trade Stuart Ayres.

The recruitment process was supposed to be independent of the minister.

Mr Head recommended the Department of Premier and Cabinet consider whether it needs to take action against Ms Brown.

In a LinkedIn post uploaded before Mr Coutts-Trotter's statement was released, Ms Brown said during her time in the public sector she had learned "leadership can, at times, be difficult".

"Courageous leadership is not always comfortable. But it is a necessary part of how the public service performs its professional role in support of responsible government," she wrote.

Ms Brown said she was now exploring new opportunities in the private sector.

"[I] hope to make an announcement about that soon," she said.

On LinkedIn, Ms Brown said she joined the government in 2013 as she wanted to improve the lives of people in NSW.

"My goal was to create an enhanced focus on delivery, and partnering with the private sector in a way that drives innovation and creates value for taxpayers," she wrote.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-09-19/amy-brown-sacked-from-departmental-secretary-role/101452794

Clashes Erupt After Massive Pride March Goes Ahead in Belgrade

SerbianChristians smashed police cars after the event featured a mockery of Jesus Christ

Police in Belgrade have made several arrests after clashes surrounding Europe’s largest pride parade erupted in the Serbian capital. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić initially announced that the event would be cancelled, citing fear of violence, after massive protests were organized by the Serbian Orthodox Church and various nationalist groups. Serbian Prime Minister Ana Branabic ultimately gave organizers “guarantees” that the event could proceed, however. Clashes later erupted after a mockery of Jesus Christ was made at the event, which angered Serbian Christians.

The United States and particularly the European Union demanded that the event be held as planned, however. Serbia — which has been trying to join the European Union for over a decade — was told that cancelling the event would violate Europe’s human rights laws and damage their prospects of joining the bloc.

Event organizers on Saturday went ahead with the event after receiving assurances from the nation’s Prime Minister, Ana Brnabic. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić had previously announced the parade’s cancellation last month.

As the parade went ahead Saturday, those opposed to the march clashed with police. Several police cars were smashed while dozens of protesters were detained.

https://nationalfile.com/clashes-erupt-after-massive-pride-march-went-ahead-in-belgrade/

https://twitter.com/Breaking911/status/1571674484146589698

Information Commission, Angelene Falk, will argue in the Federal Court that she can take forever to handle FOI complaints.

For people to make valid judgements on Government policy or to contribute to new policies in an intelligent way, they must be able to exercise their rights to have timely access to government information.

So it is with great disappointment that at 10.15 this morning the Information Commission (IC), Angelene Falk, will argue in the Federal Court that, when she is asked to conduct a review of a government’s FOI decision that refuses a person’s access to information, she can take forever to do so, thereby denying indefinitely the right of that person to engage fully in our democracy.

The IC’s decision to instruct her taxpayer funded solicitors to do so is a betrayal and a disgrace. It’s also a particularly strange move when the Attorney-General has already intervened in the case spelling out the adverse effects of her delay in decision making is having on the FOI regime.

Spending public money on secrecy

Last month Senator Murray Watt advised Senator Jacqui Lambie that the IC, who is on the record as being under-resourced, has spent a mammoth $301,667.12 on the matter. Norton Rose Fulbright Australia, who are representing the IC in the proceedings, originally estimated their costs would be $160,000, but hey, they’re on the gravy train now and will likely end up charging the taxpayer more than half a million.

Just over a year ago I made application to the Federal Court seeking a judicial remedy in relation to 22 IC reviews the Commissioner had failed to make a timely decision.

These FOI applications related to a wide range of issue; the Future Submarine Project progress reports (the project has now been cancelled); oil and gas processing options for the Greater Sunrise oil and gas resources in the Timor Sea (an issue that flared up in the news a few weeks ago, and an issue that won’t go away); the ‘Sports Rorts’ Gaetjens Review (a report of interest in holding a past Government to account) and National Radioactive Waste Management Facility ministerial briefs (the location has now been decided, but there are court proceedings on foot), just to name a few.

Despite Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus

In the early stage of the proceedings, which are being conducted by Victorian Barrister, Tiphanie Acreman, on a pro-bono basis, and for which The Australia Institute and Matilda Legal Fund are providing a cost indemnity, the then shadow and now Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus intervened to argue in favour of my case.

https://michaelwest.com.au/information-commissioner-angelene-falk-fights-to-delay-fois-indefinitely/

https://dailycaller.com/2022/09/18/fentanyl-march-biden-administration-washington-dc/

Coast Guard Seizes Half-Billion Worth Of Narcotics In Caribbean

Approximately 24,700 pounds of cocaine and 3,892 pounds of Marijuana, worth an estimated $475 million, was offloaded on Thursday at Base Miami Beach, Florida, according to a news release. The Coast Guard's Legare crew executed the seizure along with Coast Guard Cutter James, the US Navy's USS Billings, and His Netherlands Majesty's Ship HNLMS Groningen.

https://www.zerohedge.com/medical/coast-guard-seizes-half-billion-worth-narcotics-caribbean

Biden: ‘There’s Not a Single Thing that I’ve Observed at All that Would Affect Me or the United States Relative to My Son Hunter’

President Joe Biden said Sunday on CBS’s “60 Minutes” that he was not concerned about his son Hunter Biden’s behavior in any way.

Anchor Scott Pelley said, “His son, Hunter, has been a lightning rod for suspicion. Hunter Biden’s former addiction to crack cocaine led to a life he describes as nonstop depravity. He has also acknowledged a federal investigation into his taxes. Congress investigated Hunter Biden’s job with a Ukrainian company at the time that his father ran Ukrainian policy in the Obama administration. A Republican investigation, however, uncovered no wrongdoing by then-Vice President Biden.”

Pelley asked, “Mr. President, if you run again, Republicans are most likely to go after your son Hunter once again. I wonder what you would like to say about your son and whether any of his troubles have caused conflicts for you or for the United States.”

Biden said, “I love my son, number one. He fought an addiction problem. He overcame it. He wrote about it. And, no, there’s not a single thing that I’ve observed at all that would affect me or the United States relative to my son Hunter.”

https://www.breitbart.com/clips/2022/09/18/biden-theres-not-a-single-thing-that-ive-observed-at-all-that-would-affect-me-or-the-united-states-relative-to-my-son-hunter/