The Brown Note

The China Olympics Hypocrisy

The China Winter Olympics is on us and Australia (in economic and diplomatic war with China) is having a schizophrenic breakdown. Celebrating the event with their trademark over the top bombast, whilst pretending they don't know where it is. The TV network spamming adverts about the event, even have the words "Beijing" in tiny letters you can barely see. It's embarrassing. We are going to a party where the host hates us. And our government are claiming a political boycott. It's not a boycott if you still send your athletes and promote the event. Whilst our prime minister will as always play both sides of the fence, wanting credit for standing up for human rights AND every gold we win.

The Truth About Ukraine

With the prospect of conflict in Ukraine flaring up again - a look at one of the Western world's most inaccurate media narratives of the last decade. That democracy loving freedom fighters overthrew Russian tyranny. What actually happened was an a Western backed coup, ousting a democratically elected leader, because he wouldn't accept trading Ukrainian sovereignty and autonomy, to accept European Union loans, in order to turn them into a giant NATO base on Russia's doorstep.

The Best And Worst Films Of 2021

Exactly what is says it is, with a no doubt popular choice for worst film of the year.

Albums Of The Year 2021

In the weakest year for albums, tracks and movies of the century.

Was 2021 The Worst Year For Art This Century?

Working our my usual radio show end of year best-of lists, I was struck by how weak 2021 was - across albums, movies and tracks, the lamest of the century, why?

The Rise In Facism Has Its Roots In Murdoch And The Evangelicals

There is no doubt the previously hardcore fringe elements of the far right have piggybacked off the back off COVID related protests, mingling closer than the 1930's with the mainstream, but the public's ability to accept them has its roots in century old right-wing, American Evangelical Christian opposition to science and Murdoch press populist propaganda.

Jacida Ardern Made Smoking Sexy Again

New Zealand's pre-emptive ban on smoking is a bridge too far - an overreach into lives beyond what government should be responsible for, at a time of record low smoking levels, that will only create a new generation of young people enticed into smoking being rebellious.

Kyle Rittenhouse - The Horror Of Self Defense In America

With a judge straight out of Mississippi burning, whose only job it seemed was to get a young and hopelessly misguided Trump supporter off his charges of killing two BLM protesters - a look at how the game of self defense in America is rigged to ensure a white man with a gun can do whatever he likes.

The Election Australia Deserves

With an opposition, burnt by offering too much substance and policy at the last election, losing to a blunderbuss with none, we now face an election where neither side of politics will offer anything at all, and simply try to be seen as least bad in the 24 hour news cycle. We Deserve it.

Assisted Dying Laws: Why Wont You Let Me Die?

The Australian state of New South Wales, finally began a debate, long blocked by right wing religious conservatives, to pass euthanasia/voluntary assisted dying laws. Ironically, it was through our most pious leader yet, Dominic Perrottet - who completely opposes it, perhaps noting that this is the most bi-partisan issue of the age. More than 70% of left wing, right wing and religious voters all support these laws, which just passed the lower house and will pass the senate. My thoughts.