“One innocent woman traded for 3 terrorist men. I like that even Iran recognises she is worth more!”
Helen was happy:
“This wonderful news buoyed me through the whole day; from the moment I heard it on the radio this morning, to reading this article tonight. Welcome home, Kylie! A lot of us have been waiting with you for this day.”
David H deciphered:
“I think it demonstrates Australia’s ranking in the Five Eyes, that they could get both Thailand and Israel to agree to the release of the three Iranian Military Intellegence agents in exchange for our citizen held hostage by the Iranians. Why anyone would go to the place in the first place is beyond me, but I’m glad Ms Moore-Gilbert is coming home safe and sound.”
Dionysius declared:
“At least two governments (Thailand and Israel) have sacrificed security and one (Australia) has invested huge resources to free from Iran a person who is supposed to be an expert in that country and the risks that would be faced by a Western person who unwisely chooses to travel there.
I am very pleased Ms. Moore-Gilbert has been released. I hope that any future starry-eyed middle-east academics do not repeat her error of judgment.”
Katherine noted:
“The three terrorists are returning to an Iran overrun with COVID. And of course the Israelis can now get them whenever they want. They might have been better off in Thailand.”
Dave agreed:
“Yes, the 3 terrorists will be looking over their shoulders from now on, Mosad has a long memory.”
Evan offered:
“The Iranian people in my experience are a bit like the Chinese people. In both cases you have to say it is a pity about their governments which they do not deserve, particularly in Iran.”
Stephen said:
“Have to admire the Iranian Government’s view that ‘an Iranian businessman and two Iranian citizens who were detained abroad on baseless charges were exchanged for a dual national spy named Kylie Moore-Gilbert, who worked for the Zionist regime’’. Perhaps it should be reworded as ‘legless charges’ given that the explosive device one was hurling at police went off prematurely.”
Darrell was damning:
“Hopefully now a lesson to the woke academics who travel overseas into dangerous countries, dismissing or refusing to believe what has been explained by those mean old ‘conservatives’ back home in Australia.”
Pamela protested:
“It is wonderful that Kylie Moore Gilbert has been released from prison. Iranians are wonderful people, their culture is so rich and the landscapes are so interesting and beautiful. It’s a pity power, politics and beliefs always intrude and cause issues for ordinary people.
What I find reprehensible is the negativity ignorance and cruelty of some people’s comments about Ms Gilbert’s release.”
Michael remarked:
“Rogue regimes are notorious for the hostage-taking behaviour. This unfortunate woman, regardless of her real or imagined affiliation with the spying, was a hostage, a Western hostage, a pawn in the heartless, cynical and utterly despicable game an Iranian government, driven by hatred and jealousy, is playing. The same game is played by similar regimes, such as Russia, China and North Korea. This entry is not meant as a criticism of the Australian government’s efforts to free the victim of the mad mullah’s brutality — they’ve done a tremendous job. This is also is not written to criticise the victim herself — she had suffered enough. The question is still remaining: was the advice on travel was sought and if so, was it given?”
Another Michael replied:
“You are overlooking that she was actually invited to attend a conference in Iran, which was not considered unsafe at the time presumably (though now would be, based on her experience and that of other detainees).
“Thousands of Iranian-Australians visit their relatives in Iran each year and return safely. There are only a small number of arrests each year, and often this will be for accidentally doing something unwise such as meeting a critic of the government or getting too close to an unmarked security facility.”
BarryF’s analysis:
“Be very careful anyone who is invited to or decides to go to Iran. The modus operandi seems to be to nab a foreigner, charge them with spying, imprison them, wait for the outcry in the foreigner’s home country, start talking, introduce the prisoner swap, up the ante by transferring the foreigner to the worst prison, negotiate the swap which is now more urgent, get multiples of your terrorists back and treat them as heroes.”
–
In the face of increasingly desperate and fanciful Donald Trump tweets, Washington saw the writing on the wall this week and began transitioning towards a Joe Biden presidency. Vince was vicious:
“Donald Trump is the biggest loser, the greatest loser. The bigliest loser. The greatest loser of them all. There has never been a greater loser. Trump has made losing great again. Delicious.”
We the people agreed:
“The Trump Presidency is no different to all of Trump’s business ventures that ended up bankrupt. People believed in Trump and invested in his businesses only to find out that he is not all that he pretends to be when he goes bankrupt, and they lose their money.”
Paul preached:
“Great to see him gone and isn’t the world a better place. Stock market loves it — 30000 in celebration of getting rid of Trump, the hand brake on the world.”
M muttered:
“If Washington wants Biden it means the elite like him. I wonder why? Like university ivory towers the political capitol can insulate and cotton wool people from the reality their fellow citizens are facing. The best chance the poor had for improvements was the man outside the cosy world of the capital. Mr Trump recognised what the man and woman on the street in small town USA was enduring He was their hope. Now the comfortable insulated elite who
no such threats are acceptable, nor are threats against Fauci, or kidnapping attempts against governors.”
William was wounded:
“Biden, the most undeserving person to be POTUS. So sad for the US and the world. The Socialists are winning. We will be the losers.”
Ross retorted:
“If you are describing Biden as a socialist then I would propose that you go back to school ref political philosophy 101. I don’t recollect Biden talking about workers owning the means of production”
Conrad is a Winner Again was winning:
“Joe Biden is a winner, Trump is a loser. Whichever way you cut it, it’s great news. Trump will always be remembered as a loser … by the American people. That is exactly what Trump is, a loser, a sore loser, a bad loser, a loser like a spoilt brat kid, or infantile adult with emotional issues.”
Susan was sensible:
“We all should keep in mind that Trump got over 4 million more votes in 2020 than Hillary got in 2016. I still think the strong Biden vote was a backlash against Trump personality coupled with a poor COVID message. On the latter, Trump should have followed the medical advice to the letter and shifted the blame rather than try and solve economic and medical issues at the same time.
Both the Democratic and Republican parties will need to seriously reassess their situation over the next four years if they are to have any chance of winning over US voters. Normalcy is no longer acceptable.”
Evan added:
“No loser like a sore loser. Same goes for Turnbull and his best mate Rudd. Get used to it, kiddos. Biden is walking the new walk and Trump is history.”
Robert S raged:
“This election has finally destroyed the impression that the US is the bastion of democracy in the world with a pathetic display of Rafferty’s rules of voter fraud, insecure postal voting approaching 50 million, and millions of postal votes sent out to unknown destinations to end up in the hands of other unknown people.
The supposed security check on signatures was never carried out in many states and not even required in other states to allow votes to become a valuable commodity to anyone wanting to pay for them.
The digital counting machines in most states were not proven to be secure with software able to be changed in 5 minutes and voting stations excluding vote watchers from carrying out their duty.
And finally the FBI, police, courts and all other electoral officials did not detain one person or organisation for transgressions of the voting rules advantageous to any party.
For example Georgia had a hand recount without one postal signature being checked with another for authenticity.
This election has forever destroyed the authenticity of US federal elections and the clean rule of democracy in America and smashed any idea that the American dream of exceptionalism ever existed.”
Gosling quacked:
“Yet somehow not one Court, not one FBI officer has been persuaded that any of these airy allegations are true, with actual evidence.”
Graham’s say:
“Unfortunately Trump drained the swamp of all his good republican men and women staff. There is a complete vacuum there now of any experienced, level headed and conscientious republican staff from which to choose a new leader from There are only the yes men/women remaining, who were willing to sell the Trump lie in order to survive, they sold their souls to the devil and now everyone knows it. They are unemployable. It will take at least 8 years.”
AndyB’s bit:
“The sharks circling Trump will start to bite, and he won’t be getting any help from most Republicans. He is done and dusted. He won’t have a legacy either; Biden will do to Trump what Trump did to Obama. Donald will become an even more bitter and desperate old man tweeting out even more ridiculous rubbish in an effort to sustain his ego. He and his family will be shunned by many; his wealth will guarantee the regular host of hanger-oners, but few of quality will want to be tagged alongside his toxic brand. Congratulations Trump, you did it! I don’t see any peace in his final years; just more anger and self-delusion.”
Last word to Lincoln:
“Time to look forward. Trump is no longer relevant, and the GOP will have to face reality that vote suppression is not the way forward and not even the way to keep the state of play as is.
The Biden presidency is well timed for advancing a technological revolution in energy production, storage, and distribution, enabled further with AI. The GOP would need to become empathetic to those they enjoyed suppressing, reform itself to be a party of the people to compete with the Democrats. They may have a better chance of choosing this route with two defeats in the coming run-off Senate elections in Georgia.
In this sense, I wish both the Democrats and the Republicans the best of luck for this contest promises to be twice blessed, it will bless the victors with a balanced Senate and the losers with the impetus to rethink and reform. The GOP can look forward also should they aim to unite and not to divide. God Bless America.”
With lockdowns dragging on for some and a strange new festive season looming, Peta Bee fired some shots on what your drink of choice is doing to you. Marcus was merry:
“Right. I’m onto it. Three glasses of red plus two of white plus two Brut Champagne plus a bloody mary, G and T, Vodka whatever it was, plus a couple of single malts and two beers per day. Phew. But I will live forever!”
Roslyn’s recipe:
“I have been drinking white wine spritzers for many years. Half sav blanc, half mineral water. Less alcohol, less calories but I still get to enjoy my favourite tipple.”
Trevor P pooped the party:
“The abuse of alcohol is a major source of misery in our society. And at a huge financial cost. Road accidents, cancer, broken families, ruined careers, addiction, violence and other crime … the list goes on. Probably causes far more grief than COVID ever did. OK in moderation? Some are able to control it, many more are not.”
DaffyDuck quoth:
“My go-to for advice on alcohol is, of course, the Bible, and I quote: ‘And you may spend the money on whatever your heart desires: on oxen, sheep, wine, other strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.’ Deuteronomy 14:26, if you are chatting with a teetotaller.”
Thought Criminal’s thesis:
“As with every stricture on food and drink with which I have been bombarded by self-appointed experts during my three score years and twelve, I shall ignore this one too.
I enjoy a modest intake of alcohol, mainly red wine and single malt, with the occasional aperitif of G & T or Campari. So far so good, although the lack of foreign travel and duty free has caused a diminution in my single malt collection during this crisis.
Counting calories and totting up the chemical content of a nice drink is the way to gloom. Drink up and enjoy it.”
Straight poop from Trevor P:
“ Recent studies have shown that alcohol in any amount is a carcinogenic. Why is this not explained here?”
Humble countered:
“Living is carcinogenic. The source of cancer is anything that result in dna/rna copying errors on cell reproduction. There is no such thing as a toxic substance (science fact). Only toxic doses. This article is right on the money. It talks about doses.”
Play us out, The Other Ash:
“Gin and Tonic can make you ‘loutish and emotiona’l? Well, pass the Hendricks cause that’s the look I’m going for!”
–
Each Friday the cream of your views on the news rises and we honour the voices that made the debate great. To boost your chances of being featured, please be pertinent, pithy and preferably make a point. Solid arguments, original ideas, sparkling prose, rapier wit and rhetorical flourishes may count in your favour. Civility is essential. Comments may be edited for length.
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Welcome to the column where you provide the content. The head of Australia’s intelligence community, Nick Warner, led a secret, year-long effort to secure the release of academic Kylie Moore-Gilbert in a prisoner swap deal with Iran, where she was serving a 10-year sentence on trumped-up espionage charges. P was proud: