Matt Hartwell comments

Posted in: Japan hosts Quad summit seeking unity on countering China See in context

All I see is another talkfest. The West in particular loves talking. Very little doing. Until an emergency arises like Ukraine. Wait to the last minute to act.

In Europe, you have a natural affiliation, a common history and a common European identity among many West and East Europeans. So there is some sense of fellowship.

That doesnt exist in this region with the Quad countries.

The only common identity this region shares is really one with Japan, not Australia, the U.S or India. None of which are truly Asian countries.

And that might not be a problem if it wasnt for other issues. Like the money put aside by America and the rest to achieve anything meaningful in the region is an absolute pittance. The money the U.S talked about in its recent meeting with ASEAN was laughably small. Its barely worth mentioning. If you were hoping to see signs the U.S takes the region seriously you would be very disappointed. Again, it was a talkfest.

Also the timelines for projects are far FAR too slow. If the Quad is to remain relevant they have a lot to learn from China when it comes to money, committment and speed. Thats always going to be a problem when you need to coordinate among 4 countries, instead of 1.

Also, what practical achievements have been achieved in this region so far under the Quad? There was talk of working together on vaccine distribution. Did it happen? Infrastructure. Has it happened?

They need to communicate their achievements with the broader public, but I never hear anything about it. Why is that? You'd think they would be promoting that far and wide. Is it because very little has been achieved?

All I hear about is more meetings, more talkfests. Leaders meeting next year in Australia. Another chance to jet about the world, eat 5 star food and take a few nice photos. Looks good on paper. Has no substance.

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Posted in: Social media yanking shooting videos faster - if not by much See in context

It is neither. It is the people of America. It is who Americans vote into office and why Americans vote for them. 

Anerica is a duopoly. You have 2 choices and both are 100% the property of Wall Street.

That is not a system the average American created, its the product of decades of political corruption and an election cycle largely funded by cooperate money.

Do you honestly expect big business to donate millions without a payoff? They want cheap labor and consumers and thus large scale immigration.

Its the same in Australia right now with the peak business body for the country advocating massive immigration numbers to make up for Covid (but in reality, way beyond that) while the people want it cut, not because of racism, but because of transport conjestion, the cost of housing being driven through the roof, strain on the hospital system and every other impact that occurs when you have a large influx of people.

Election after election Americans vote for politicians who they know going in are going to excuse any amount of gun violence, make it impossible to legislate any kind of limits on gun purchase, who will vote for legislation that punishes minorities and the poor while favoring one religion over all others. Americans will vote for openly racist candidates because they are themselves racist and desire racist government policies. What is going on in many states with voting restrictions is a prime example, as are moves to suppress the teaching of America's racist past, and present, fearing it might upset someone. Poor, tender souls. Did these same weaklings have as much consideration for the minorities they persecute? Americans vote these people in. Americans cannot later complain about the results. "Wall Street", whatever that is, has absolutely nothing to do with it. Not one little thing. The American people are violent, and often violently racist. That is the history of the US. Stop deflecting.

For a country that seems to have openly racist politics, its amazing that hundreds of thousands of migrants are allowed into the country every year. You wouldnt think that would be possible if the country was so racist, would you? So you'll understand if I dont buy your argument. Your talking about a slim minority at the political level that dont seem to have any impact on federal policy.

Certainly the American people can be violent. But when I look at Myanmar, Iran and so many countries thoughtout the world where the authorities have a monopoly on lethal force and use it regularly to bash, shoot and otherwise eliminate opposition, I can see the wisdom in the second amendment and so can many, MANY people. Sri Lanka might soon be another shining example of why the second amendment or something like it, needs to exist. Lets hope the army now on the streets can exercise restraint against a population that has every right to be angry.

For those that want the 2nd amendment removed or watered down significantly, what your really advocating is the break up of America because thats the only way to achieve that outcome. And maybe, in the end, that will be what happens. Back to the North/South dvide. Sad, but so be it I guess

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Posted in: Social media yanking shooting videos faster - if not by much See in context

What baffles me is the focus these people still have on blaming Jews for everything. Such a tiny, tiny percentage of the world population.

Personally I dont believe the "Great Replacement Theory" is a some sinister plot, its just the natural result of big business demanding politicians bring in skilled labor and cheap, unskilled labor, both to fill their pockets and act as consumers.

If you hear big business tell it, and they've been telling it for decades, Westerners are too expensive to hire. They often dont have the necessary skills and according to people like Elon, they dont work hard either.

This has been standard neo liberal dogma for decades now and since they control who gets elected via funding, are people surprised at surging immigration levels?

Once again, its not the "Jews" its Wall Street.

Its nearly always Wall Street and their equivalents throughout the West. They run the show, not politicians.

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Posted in: As Musk buyout looms, Twitter searches for its soul See in context

I actually dont think he will buy it.

But if he does, I sincerely hope its a $44 billion delete button.

Consider it a gift to the world.

He would be doing 8 billiion people a favour, especially America.

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Posted in: Average condo price in Tokyo area sets new high in fiscal 2021 See in context

Tokyo is sucking the life out of the rest of the country, people need to find work and Tokyo is the only city that has something for everyone, until that changes Tokyo will continue to prosper at the expense of the rest of the nation.

Its one of Japans biggest challenges isnt it. How to do regionalism better. Tokyo seems like a London on steroids. Robbing the rest of the country of people and investment. Its the same in Australia. Insane sums paid for new road construction underground and rail links in heavily congested areas of Sydney for example, when the cost would be a fraction of that in the regions. Australia does regionalism better than Japan, but its still not great.

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Posted in: Middle-class life today is a struggle with poverty See in context

I think a big issue for Japan is energy security and dependancy. If there is one major country in Asia that needs to ween itself off gas, coal and oil, it is Japan. Its almost all imported. Get the homegrown energy mix right and that is going to be a big saving. Also, I get the impression labor unions arent exactly strong in Japan. The government encourages private enterprise to do the right thing and pay more, but ultimately there doesnt seem to be any real sting behind that "ask nicely" approach. Population decline is starting to bite, so more workers are imported from SEA. Makes sense. But it probably wont do much to drive wage growth. Quite the opposite.

Also, too many people living the city life. Japan needs a very serious plan for its regions. Its a beautiful country with a lot to offer in the regions. And those areas are FAR better connected than Australia for example. Making housing far more affordable in those areas is a welcome start. Where people live, business follows....

There are some solutions at hand. And I feel Japan is a far more open place than it use to be, which is a big asset. I dont feel gloomy on the economic front regarding Japan if some strong measures are taken.

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Posted in: Australian coach fined for breaching COVID-19 isolation ahead of Japan game See in context

Where I live, lucky if 10% of the population are wearing masks now indoors and virtually none outdoors. But that doesnt surprise me being in regional Aus.

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Posted in: Kishida to visit India to build Indo-Pacific partnership See in context

Australia is committed to defend South Korea through the United Nations Command.

No such thing. Where did you get that from? The U.N commands nothing. I dont know how much more proof the world needs to realise that when it comes to security matters, the U.N is a complete waste of space.

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Posted in: Dollar hits 5-year high in upper 116 yen level; Tokyo stocks plunge See in context

AUD is cheap imo. It should be 80 cents at least.

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Posted in: Ukrainian refugees welcomed with open arms; not so with people fleeing other war-torn countries See in context

Why is it that every other part of the world gets to maintain their culture, language, religion and general way of life free of questioning, but Europe and the West generally MUST be open to all?

Nobody has ever explained that to me. Why is it that the countries of the West are the only ones obligated to help refugees? Not saying others dont, because they absolutely do. Check Turkey for instance, but the obligation is always, ALWAYS on the West.

It really is LONG past time that other affluents regions, like North Asia and increasingly certain parts of South East Asia do more. Certain countries in Latin America could do more. Middle Eastern countries could do more. Many of which are very wealthy indeed.

It is a strength of the West that people can come from all over the world and have a good life, but that in no way means there is an obligation to take people come what may. Europeans increasingly reject that view.

Dr Tazreena Sajjad currently serves as professorial lecturer in the Global Governance, Politics and Security (GGPS) Program in the American University School of International Service.

Of course.

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Posted in: Australia to declare east coast floods a national emergency See in context

@Matt Hartwell. You obviously don't read the news. Hint, Sky News isn't worthy of being called news.

Your right. I try to avoid the news these days because their all either paywalls, have overwhelming bias, one way or the other, or both. Mostly both.

I put Sky News in the same league as the Guardian and the ABC. Biased to the core.

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Posted in: Tokyo reports 10,823 new coronavirus cases; nationwide tally 63,742 See in context

My question is how can a country with similiar density to South Korea but with a population more than double that of South Korea experience, what, 20k cases a day and yet South Korea registered 320k today. That is an unbelievable difference. Somewhere the figures are getting really, really out of whack.

Honestly I dont buy any of these figures anymore. I suspect the figures out of South Korea are being double, triple reported somehow and the ones out of Japan grossly underestimates numbers.

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Posted in: Australia to declare east coast floods a national emergency See in context

And Scott denies Global Warming and Climate Change.

Does he really? News to me and I live here.

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Posted in: South Koreans begin voting for new president See in context

Why? You realize that is pre-poll voting, right? Seems very high.

Ah yes. My bad. Pre polling.

Anyway, lets hope the new President isnt as rabidly anti-Japan as Moon was.

Whoever wins, it will be a thin margin from what Ive seen. Very much like the elections in Aus which are very rarely a landslide either way.

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Posted in: South Koreans begin voting for new president See in context

In a two-day early voting exercise last week, a record-breaking 37 percent of the 44 million people eligible cast their ballots -- the highest number since the system was introduced in 2013.

37 percent? That cant be right. I wouldnt even consider that a valid election.

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Posted in: Australians flee floods as death toll rises to 12; Sydney on alert See in context

If only all that rain could be harnassed to build Australia's interior.

Its always been the dream. To make the middle of the country somewhere near hospitable. It all starts with water.

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Posted in: Arrested Australian rugby player details Japan prison time See in context

"I got myself into this mess and there's no one else to blame."

Admirable.

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Posted in: Europe welcomes Ukrainian refugees — others, not so much See in context

No surprise. Ukrainians are Eastern European just like the countries they are fleeing too. It would be like a bunch of Kiwis turning up in Australia.

Its normal to be wary of the unfamiliar, particulary those who believe in a religion that is completely and utterly incompatbile with modern European ideals. There is no escaping that hard fact.

I wonder how welcoming the Japanese people would be if 100,000 Syrians turned up in Tokyo?

Yeah, we all know how that would go!

Europe and America always talks a good game but they can never walk their talk. They love to point the finger at Japan

What a joke. Europe and America take in hundreds of thousands of migrants a year from all over the world Japan would take 50 years to do what America and Europe do in 1.

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Posted in: Major floods hit Australia's east coast, claiming 7 lives See in context

Not surprised by Lismore. Its in a great big gully. The entire town is a natural dam tbh.

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Posted in: Trump calls Putin smart; indicates he'll run again for president See in context

I really dont think Mitch McConnell will allow Trump to run again. I think the old GOP establishment knows its far too high risk.

DeSantis is a shoe in for the Republican nomination if he wants it. And a halfway lucid DeSantis against old Joe is a real big problem for the Dems. If Kamela is still running as VP, there likely finished.

If the Dems are smart, theyll put forward an entirely new team.

2024 is a long way off and so much can go very badly or really well for both sides. Trump, with all his legal problems, may very well be a non starter by then.

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Posted in: Unvaccinated Djokovic says he is prepared to skip French Open, Wimbledon See in context

The guy has recently been infected and has better protection than most vaxxed without prior infection. Let's stop this circus ffs.

55 times better protection for the prior infected compared to 20 times for recently vaxxed. And longer lasting protection as well. Says it all. But we both know its not about the science.

I have respect for Novaks views. I just wonder why it took him so long to come out with these comments? Makes me wonder whether he enjoys the whole media circus. Regardless, his views are perfectly reasonable.

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Posted in: Canadian truckers' bridge blockade forces shutdowns at auto plants See in context

Still support the truckers, but they should reorientate their tactics back to targeting the political elite in the provinces where the mandates still exist. There needs to be clear rationale for the protests to maintain ongoing support and also to present a way out for that same politcal elite. If you present a way out for the politicians, the public will recognize that and heap pressure on those politicians to back down so life can get back to something like normal

Factory workers in auto plants arent your enemy.

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Posted in: Surging beef prices hard to stomach for U.S. shoppers See in context

Smith said the rising prices might be "a good opportunity to eat more healthy."

Nothing wrong with red meat in moderation. Humans have been omnivores for thousands of years.

I know in Australia's case, all the best meat goes to Asia. Australians get seconds and even that is expensive. Just the reality of it. Go where the money is. Cant blame beef producers.

A good deal of it goes to Japan. Hope you appreciate it!

We should get a discount on Japanese teas and sake ;)

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Posted in: Australia to reopen borders to vaccinated tourists on Feb 21 See in context

All i can say to those that want to come here is bring a great big fat bank balance because if there is another variant lurking, those borders will be shut within a week, in fact, 48 hours. And youll be stuck.

Make sure any plane tickets and hotels etc are fully refundable, right up to the day your due to travel to Aus. That would be my advice.

A country that still has states blocked off to its own citizens wouldnt exactly be my first pick for a holiday.

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Posted in: Compulsory vaccination rules come into force in Austria See in context

That sentence sums up the illogical anti vaxxer thinking.

if you don’t want the vaccine go live on a deserted island!!!

LOL. I strongly suggest you read my post again

You need to get back on your meds.

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Posted in: Compulsory vaccination rules come into force in Austria See in context

Why is it that so many people equate the idea of opposing mandatory vaccination with opposing vaccines, period?

Ive had 3 shots of Pfizer and I oppose mandatory vaccines.

A lot of people I know feel the same. Why? Because they think its slippery slope. They think its unnecessary for a virus that kills less than 1% it infects and they think the bar should be higher for such a gross infrigement on basic rights. They also see that these vaccines are not particularly effective and seem to require regular boosters, which increases the odds of eventually getting unlucky with a bad, long lasting side effect. They want the freedom to choose to take that risk or not.

It is very, very possible, to be thankful for having the vaccines as an option, to appreciate the science behind it and to be able to make a judgement based on the overall pros and cons, as you see them.....while also being opposed to mandatory vaccines that see people lose their jobs and have their movement severely curtailed

disaffected grievance-driven conspiracy theorists

I know, I know. Anybody who questions the mainsteam orthodoxy is a heratic. No. Just average people with an understanding of history and where this can all lead combined with all the other factors I mentioned.

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Posted in: Compulsory vaccination rules come into force in Austria See in context

Draconian and evil. We are looking at a handful of countries now with very dangerous leaders, Austria, Canada and Germany being the prime suspects. Causing hatred, division and chaos for no other reason than they can.

I wouldnt be surprised by Austria and Germany, given their track record....

Canada is a surprise, but then, like many leftists these days, Trudeau is more than happy to turn authoritarian when it suits. Pretty unbelievable to consider that Conservatives these days believe more in freedom of speech and freedom of movement than "so-called" Liberals.

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Posted in: Trump's heir? Some supporters eye DeSantis as alternative See in context

Given have absolutely terrible the Democrats are polling these days, you could put any Republican up, that isn't Trump, and there likely to win it.

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Posted in: Joni Mitchell says she is boycotting Spotify over COVID 'lies' See in context

Imagine if he went to a service like Gettr if he gets kicked off Spotify. He might do it just to spite em. It would result in millions of new signups. Maybe just go back to full length Youtube videos and push an alternative at the same time. Others are doing that, like Steven Crowder etc.

Not sure the cancel culture left fully understand just how bad this could work out for them if they keep pushing it but go ahead.

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Posted in: Australia's COVID-19 cases, hospitalizations hit new records See in context

And this folks, is why number of infections IS very important, despite what some on here might say. Australia's health system is now being overwhelmed because of the share number of cases, despite Omicron being less severe than Delta.

Not it isnt.

Report from NSW Health in September 2021

https://www.nsw.gov.au/sites/default/files/2021-09/Intensive_Care_Capacity.pdf

ICU numbers are 1/6th of what they would need to be to have a "moderate" impact.

And if your going to prioritise infections, youre basically advocating a lockdown because all the simple measures of containment are already in place.

Not happening.

Most of them are there for other reasons but just happened to test positive for COVID due to admission protocols!

typical talking points of antivaxxers with no scientific or medical evidence to back their pseudoscience,

I wouldnt say most of them, but it has been said by NSW Health and the NSW Health Minister that a "reasonable proportion" fit that bill. So what does that mean?

https://7news.com.au/lifestyle/health-wellbeing/nsw-covid-patients-in-hospital-with-unrelated-illnesses-or-injury-c-5166010

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