‘Meghan’s still trying to control the narrative … being sweet to Gayle King, bestie of Oprah’
Welcome to the column where you provide the content. As Prince Philip, 99, returned to Windsor Castle from hospital after a heart procedure, Meghan Markle and Prince Harry were still spinning up a storm, with media chum and Oprah bestie Gayle King revealing: “Meghan has documents to back up everything she said on Oprah’s interview.” Kristine wasn’t convinced:
“So she, like all bullies, is still trying to control the narrative? Records she made while she was bullying people are likely to be completely self serving and one sided (obviously). Being black doesn’t absolve you from personal responsibility to treat people well. Criticism of prima donna behaviour is not racism. And of course she is sweet to Gayle King — the bestie of Oprah. I would imagine she is sweet and caring to everyone from whom she can derive benefit. But pity the staff — I note none of them are running in to provide support.”
John said:
“There seems to be a trend in the talk from Meghan Markle’s media friends towards greater focus on race. Things like ‘definitely have a racial slant’ and ‘until you can acknowledge that’ sound like they come from ‘critical race theory’. You know, the bit where they say that whites who don’t acknowledge their racism are just as racist – the ‘white fragility’ idea. If you think you’re not racist, if you’re absolutely sure you’re not racist, well, that’s proof you’re racist. The best thing the royal family can do now is cease engagement and remove the dukedom of Sussex from the poor couple, as it seems to oppress them so. Allow them the obscurity they yearn for and so richly deserve.”
Rebecca was confused:
“ ‘The white fragility idea’. Don’t know about that but, admittedly, it is hard to keep up with all the latest thought bubbles. Do know of ‘unconscious racial bias’ which, apparently, has been demonstrated even in babies as young as a few months.”
Caroline explained:
“The unconscious racial bias in babies is in fact a survival mechanism … babies recognise their mothers as necessary for food and safety so that naturally expands to anyone with similar features and skin colour.”
Matthew was over it:
“This is now just a complete media circus. With comments like ‘The family have to acknowledge there are issues’ the US media are pressuring the Royal Family to make a public response. It’s really just basic journalism.”
Pete proferred:
“One person’s sweet and caring can be quite another presentation given a different context.
I wonder which one Kate got when she got the door slammed in her face. That was an interesting omission from the Oprah interview. Not that ‘waity Katy’ is about to do a tell-all and confirm it happened. How fortunate for Meghan that Kate toes the line, and has a proper sense of duty.”
Jen was jaded:
“No doubt these ‘records’ are her diary for her book or screenplay about her own amazing life.”
Anne was acerbic:
“Meghan is doing exactly what she accuses her father of doing. Publishing private conversations and family differences. Must be genetic. Can she not keep anything private? Like her father, everything is for sale at the right price.”
Full marks from Beverley:
“The Marxists would love to bring down the British monarchy so that they could have free reign on setting the western world free of capitalism. They haven’t got the wit or the wisdom, of reading past history, to know that it is capitalism that made the western world what is today, a successful system that has been able to afford to send money to less fortunate countries with less accountable governments.”
Brett went big picture:
“The Royals play a very similar game here and there is little doubt they are benefiting here too. Huge rise in their profile here. A bit of good old British expansionism. Recolonising the America’s. And with the help of those 2 strong black successful … women too. Oh my.
Could it be possible that their all in this together? Makes for great TV.”
Julie wondered:
“If the Royal Family can’t trust Harry to keep their conversations private, why would they continue to speak to him at all? Anything his wife doesn’t like will be given her own interpretation and handed on to her friends in the media.”
Woe from Woger of Wome:
“Harry is not in control of this situation in any way, shape or form.”
Elena urged:
“Spare a thought Harry for your very elderly grandparents. Your grandma is still working and now working extra hard dealing with you and your wife. Your grandpa is unwell and finally coming home to be with your grandma. Thanks to you and your wife, there will be no relaxation for either of them. It is up to you to tell your wife and her friends that unless they have something nice to say, to keep their mouths shut, and yet there you are helping them to continue to inflict as much damage as possible on your family. It’s an ugly display of no respect and no shame.”
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It was reds under the bed as ASIO turfed out what the security agency has described as a “nest of spies”. Tim tergiversated:
“I was pleased to see ASIO doing its job. The change to religiously inspired and ideologically inspired terrorism as new terms is a little problematic. Currently the term Islamic Terrorism was used and it is noted in the story, quite rightly, that it labels one group as a whole, when only a very small subgroup is performing or planning to do terrible things. Now the preferred term is ‘religiously motivated’.
“This tarnishes anyone with a religion. Not sure Buddishists, Janeists, Toaists, Zoroastrians, Christians, Hindus, Mormon etc are going to appreciate the broadening of the definition? I think ASIO should think again and find a new one.”
Dominic had doubts:
“I am a Trump supporter. I’m a climate change sceptic. I thought the Victorian lock downs were excessive, I thought the disproportionate use of police force against certain groups was excessive. I’m pro life. I believe there are only two genders. I think Australia is the least racist and sexist country in the world.
“Because of the above, I could probably be classed a right wing extremist. Everything is political. I have no doubt that ASIO is as ‘woke’ as every other government department. My concern is that this could temper their perspective, making anyone that doesn’t adopt the group think ‘problematic’ in their eyes.
“I am deeply cynical of this sudden enthusiasm to isolate ‘right wing extremist’.”
Rod was irate:
“How many have been charged? No consequences. why should anyone care?”
William wanted more:
“No names, no nationality, no evidence … surely we need more than this to take Mr Burgess seriously. Last time ASIO got its hands on a self-confessed real live spy, Mr Wang Liqiang of 60 Minutes fame, ASIO assured us it was investigating the case and what did we hear back … that’s right, absolutely nothing!”
Charles J was calm:
“This comes as no surprise to me. It seems some politicians, on both sides, and some academics and bureaucrats are easily, or perhaps willingly, duped. ASIO doing a great job but citizens need to be alert as well.”
Peter’s poser:
“Just one question. How many religions have members plotting terrorism in Australia? Religious extremism as a label is an attack on religion as such. Islamist terrorism pinpoints the issue and doesn’t mean all Muslims are terrorists.”
Buddy was funny:
“To put you all at ease it’s not the Chinese, Russian, Iran, North Korea or New Zealand.
It’s France. They are trying to find out the secrets of our new submarines that we are acquiring.”
Rob-J’s dead letter drop:
“I see comments below about treason charges and where they charged. In the world of protective security, security based investigation have different rules as opposed to a criminal investigation. The goal when investigating such breaches is to get all information pertaining to the breech, ensure security is no longer compromised and if possible gather information for counter intelligence.
“As an example, if those caught out have been compromised and bribed into espionage by a foreign actor and are not to far into their treasonous act and they either come forward with info or are asked about their actions and give up all information etc that is of benefit to investigators there is scope for no charges as the bigger picture of security is more important, those caught out will loose their clearance and job.
“When gaining a national security clearance, you are interviewed and depending on the level of information you will be looking at, it can be very very intrusive and personal. You are also briefed on foreign actors putting temptation in your way and if such happens and you are bribed then you must come forward and you will be looked after if you co-operate.
“Let’s s remember that being compromised in this type of manner may be that you have done something wrong i.e. been caught out or set up by a foreign player in an extramarital affair and are now being bribed, as per briefings when gaining your clearance if you come forward and report the contact the affair will be hushed up and you are given the chance to give all relevant info. Being compromised does not mean your guilty.”
FinnMccool’s take:
“ASIO is really making us stretch our imaginations now due to their change of language.
Just imagine being a spy and being busted by ASIO: You have a choice: you can be quietly removed from Australia or be rendered inoperative.
“I think I’d prefer to be quietly removed from Australia. Being rendered inoperative was what James Bond usually did to foreign operatives.”
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Mathias Cormann pulled off a coup and confounded his critics, being appointed as head of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, despite the best efforts of the Greens and climate change evangelists to paint him as a climate vandal. Shame, said Shane:
“If reports are accurate and the Greens campaigned against a fellow Australian, that says it all. Disgraceful.”
John’s theory:
“Beginning to think the Greens have a hidden political genius in Adam Bandt … can’t shake off the feeling he may have delivered the critical votes Mathias Cormann required. Looking forward ever so much to seeing Mr Bandt’s next masterstroke on the world stage. Until now, I’d thought he was just a two bit inconsequential politician leading the loopy fringe Canberra Bubble turn-off-the-lights comrades around in ever decreasing circles. Got that wrong.”
Loud Australian’s advice:
“Now we have the main reason for supply side economics in Australia’s latest budget leading the OECD financing. This is a step in the wrong direction. OECD should be looking to promote more demand side supportive thinking; including UBI and the like.
“Technology is replacing employees at an exponential rate. Unemployment at decade high across the globe. Spending power and wages at decade low. If they keep propping up business without ever securing demand side, this is going to get really ugly. At which point they will have to in any case, it is just going to be so much more painful.
“Current national and global economics needs a complete rethink. If we don’t figure out a way to get cash into the hands of the working (and non working) middle class, there will be poverty at levels never seen and ultimately the election of national socialist governments.”
Silvafoxy’s supposition:
“The thing the lefties don’t get about diplomacy is that it’s ‘diplomatic’. Quiet, behind the scenes personal contact. Whether it is getting an Aussie out of jail, gathering support for an appointment, it must be done quietly. No one knows about it till it’s a done deal.
“The left specialise in noisy, virtue signalling from the rooftops and in their beloved media. Which generally comes across as ridiculing in public those you are trying to woo and only appeals to the chattering classes at home. Little wonder they yet again underestimated ScoMo and in this case Mathias Cormann.”
Ronald’s rejoinder:
“I suspect Adam Bandt has passed up the chance of free accommodation next time he is in Paris.”
Marilyn was not amused:
“I wouldn’t rent my chook shed out to Adam Bandt.”
A dumper from Surfbob:
“I believe our Liberal Rudd (Turnbull) tried to undermine this appointment as well which is not surprising as underperformers are always jealous of those with more talent.”
Last word to John:
“Congratulations to Mathias. An excellent result for a very superior candidate.
I am gobsmacked at the behaviour of the greens leader and other un-Australians campaigning against him.
“When are you guys going to be publicly seen to go after the main climate change offenders:
China, the USA, Europe, Russia and some developing countries. But then of course there is Turnbull and KRudd, how I wish to have been a fly on the wall where/when these two clowns heard of the Mathias appointment. Now that would be true joy.”
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