(1) Thread: Australian bushfires disaster
I've reported on major disasters for a few years now. I first show respect for those who lose their life. Secondly, I cover the political impacts.
Scott Morrison is the new Theresa May. The main victim of this will be Australia.
I've reported on major disasters for a few years now. I first show respect for those who lose their life. Secondly, I cover the political impacts.
Scott Morrison is the new Theresa May. The main victim of this will be Australia.
(2) Australia's natural state since time began is to burn every summer. That's historically how the environment regenerated in the harsh temperatures; by fertilizing the soil with the ashes of vegetation.
Humans have had little effect on this. #Science
Humans have had little effect on this. #Science
(3) Everyone in Australia (should) know that bushfires are a major threat every year. If you choose to live among eucalyptus trees (that contain flammable gum), then don't come crying to me when you're told to evacuate or succumb to the flames.
However, I do weep for the dead.
However, I do weep for the dead.
(4) Some of the dead are children or vulnerable adults who were failed by those with a duty of care.
Others are human beings for whom I have empathy, while knowing they refused help, & placed first responders at risk.
Several first responders have died in recent weeks.
Others are human beings for whom I have empathy, while knowing they refused help, & placed first responders at risk.
Several first responders have died in recent weeks.
(5) Now, the political impacts.
PM ScoMo is getting blasted hourly in the media & in person for 3 things (so far):
1. "Failing to link" the fires to climate change
2. Vacationing in Hawaii during the crisis
3. Supporting today's 5-day AU-NZ cricket match going ahead.
PM ScoMo is getting blasted hourly in the media & in person for 3 things (so far):
1. "Failing to link" the fires to climate change
2. Vacationing in Hawaii during the crisis
3. Supporting today's 5-day AU-NZ cricket match going ahead.
(6) Obviously, human use of fossil fuels is not the cause of this disaster.
The left try to link bushfires/wildfires to fossil fuel use and climate change the world over.
The sun causes climate change.
Australia has burned for millennia.
Science has been politicized.
The left try to link bushfires/wildfires to fossil fuel use and climate change the world over.
The sun causes climate change.
Australia has burned for millennia.
Science has been politicized.
(7) Citizens the world over reject the lie that using fossil fuels incl plastic, affects the climate at all, let alone in a way that is sufficiently proven & measurable, that would be a rational basis for heavy taxation of successful people & countries, to the benefit of others.
(8) These citizens have overwhelmingly elected leaders whose climate change opinions are similar to those of ScoMo.
Unfortunately, for Australian citizens & many other people, ScoMo's mishandling of the current crisis will end up helping the left, promoting their agenda.
Unfortunately, for Australian citizens & many other people, ScoMo's mishandling of the current crisis will end up helping the left, promoting their agenda.
(9) ScoMo went on vacation to Hawaii in December. It's normal for people in AU & NZ to vacation at this time. He returned to AU early following criticism.
I was prepared to forgive the error provided he improved his performance afterward. He hasn't.
That made me wonder...
I was prepared to forgive the error provided he improved his performance afterward. He hasn't.
That made me wonder...
(10) Did ScoMo LIHOP (let it happen on purpose) like his so-called conservative counterpart in the UK, the recently resigned UK PM Theresa May?
The decision on the cricket match sealed the deal for me.
The decision on the cricket match sealed the deal for me.
(11) Look, I am a huge cricket fan, a former club player etc etc.
And yes, AU has deservedly beaten NZ in the first 2 of 3 matches in this series. NZ should front up.
But even I said this match should be cancelled, due to the bushfire effects at the venue. It's a no-brainer.
And yes, AU has deservedly beaten NZ in the first 2 of 3 matches in this series. NZ should front up.
But even I said this match should be cancelled, due to the bushfire effects at the venue. It's a no-brainer.
(12) The smoke from the bushfires lapping at the outer suburbs of Sydney (where the match is to be played) is so bad that I can see & smell it at my house in NZ, 1,300 miles away.
It will affect everyone at the cricket ground. The match will likely not be completed.
Also...
It will affect everyone at the cricket ground. The match will likely not be completed.
Also...
(13) Isn't it obvious that every civilian in Sydney should be actively supporting the first responders & civilians who have been fighting the fires for many weeks now?
Thousands of survivors are being evacuated from beaches in small boats then navy ships.
Sports match?: WTAF
Thousands of survivors are being evacuated from beaches in small boats then navy ships.
Sports match?: WTAF
(14) I had a look at ScoMo's twitter feed today. His pinned tweet is out of date & nothing to do with the bushfires or what his govt is doing to respond.
His recent tweets are too few, & they miss the mark completely.
I was a PR/policy adviser to NZ govt for several years.
His recent tweets are too few, & they miss the mark completely.
I was a PR/policy adviser to NZ govt for several years.
(15) Putting all of this together, I cannot conclude that ScoMo is failing this badly due to mere incompetence.
Just like with Theresa May. She sought the job in order to delay Brexit as long as possible, hopefully long enough to kill it.
This is about democracy, folks.
Just like with Theresa May. She sought the job in order to delay Brexit as long as possible, hopefully long enough to kill it.
This is about democracy, folks.
(16) American readers, I know "democracy" is a loaded term but let's reject the left's abuse of the concept.
It's a shorthand term for the Age of Enlightenment goal that one human shall have one vote & that this vote shall hold the governed accountable.
Democracy is vital.
It's a shorthand term for the Age of Enlightenment goal that one human shall have one vote & that this vote shall hold the governed accountable.
Democracy is vital.
(17) AU, NZ, CAN & the UK are not divinely blessed republics like the great USA. Over here, we have to live with the systems we inherited.
One way the left tries to destroy our countries is through "conservative" leaders doing dumb things like surrendering to the EU, etc.
One way the left tries to destroy our countries is through "conservative" leaders doing dumb things like surrendering to the EU, etc.
(18) The courage & skill of people like Boris Johnson & Donald Trump give me reason to believe in humanity again.
Compare their performance during natural disasters with that of ScoMo.
(Without swallowing the left's lies about them.)
Compare their performance during natural disasters with that of ScoMo.
(Without swallowing the left's lies about them.)
(19) Can I blame the effect of the smoke cloud for my typo in tweet (16)?
I of course meant that the governed must be able to hold those who govern them accountable.
This point is so central to everything. Sorry I messed it up by rushing to write it.
I of course meant that the governed must be able to hold those who govern them accountable.
This point is so central to everything. Sorry I messed it up by rushing to write it.
(20) Anyway, I've stopped wishing that ScoMo will change tack, & start front-footing his Prime Ministerial response to the bushfires & everything related to them.
I'd still vote against the left, of course. I'm now hoping AU's Trump or Boris will come forward, & soon.
END
I'd still vote against the left, of course. I'm now hoping AU's Trump or Boris will come forward, & soon.
END
(21) updates;
the AU army reserve has been deployed. should have been done a week ago.
23 dead, 21 missing and the fires will worsen in next 24 hrs.
the AU army reserve has been deployed. should have been done a week ago.
23 dead, 21 missing and the fires will worsen in next 24 hrs.
(22) natural disasters cant be avoided they can only be mitigated. AU govt has failed but tbf the other side would have fared no better.
the service of the responders and citizens restores faith in humanity. aussies we are all rooting for you🇦🇺🇳🇿🇺🇸🇯🇵🇨🇦
the service of the responders and citizens restores faith in humanity. aussies we are all rooting for you🇦🇺🇳🇿🇺🇸🇯🇵🇨🇦
(23) dare you not to cry - toddler gets fallen father's medal; bbc.com/news/world-aus…
