A Must Read. Mike Gilligan on just how much of a scam the AUKUS lemon is cc @AlboMP @RichardMarlesMP and why it is an unprecedented disgrace and betrayal of the people of Australia. The PM should take this opportunity to WITHDRAW. The Public Enquiry will be excoriating. You dont give away public money in this way. ‘The Virginia class submarine is not a general-purpose vessel such as our Collins class. It is designed for supreme acoustic invisibility for a specific purpose – to find, track and attack submarines seen as a nuclear threat to the US mainland. That is the job which the US expects Australia’s submarines to do – effectively embedded into US military command – against China’s growing capacity to annihilate continental US from under the sea, anytime. Why this role is of utmost priority for the US requires some explanation. Nuclear armed submarines, such as China possesses, present a uniquely difficult threat to the US homeland. Unlike the readily discernible launch locations of hostile land-based missiles, or from aircraft or sea-surface vessels, the submarine’s habitat and mobility make it largely invisible and impregnable across the vast ocean approaches to the US. The US attempts to deal with this risk using specialised attack submarines (ie the Virginia), which can locate, track and destroy China’s nuclear submarines as they move into and around Pacific waters. This is one critical part of a mosaic of US self-protection measures, the effectiveness of which is eroding as China’s submarine production expands. So, the hefty sacrifice which Australia’s taxpayers make to acquire new submarines is not for Australia’s benefit, but for defending continental US. Australia’s submarine needs are quite specialised and different, but simply ignored by Minister Marles… the evidence is incontrovertible this government has forsaken independence in protecting Australia. And deceives its people on how it lets the United States controls our priorities to its own benefit, damaging our own defence capacity. The implications of such betrayal are profound.’ We are just vassals to a fading hegemon who wants to be able to keep goading our biggest trading partner because its economic growth presents a threat to the US lording it over the world. FFS time to grow up and stop supporting a bully. pearlsandirritations.com/pos…

🚨WOW! Trump just LOST IT on CNN’s Kaitlan Collins for asking if the $1.8 billion DOJ slush fund is on hold or completely dead. "You should be ashamed of yourself, you used to be a Conservative... It was the greatest thing because people like you have abused our people so badly, like CNN, the NYT, oh my god.” Then he started rambling and gushing about the Jan. 6 rioters. "There was so much love and friendship; it was amazing people were crying. "Those people have been abused by you." We're witnessing on live TV the downfall of a powerful narcissist who's used to everything going his way.

🇺🇸🇦🇺 US changes AUKUS submarine deal The US has revised the AUKUS agreement, confirming Australia will now receive only used Virginia class nuclear submarines instead of a mix of new and used vessels. Australia is expected to get at least three in service US submarines within 15 years, as the deal is adjusted to cut costs and simplify logistics. The move highlights challenges in US shipbuilding capacity as demand for nuclear submarines rises. Source: France 24

Anthony Albanese is facing a revolt over AUKUS with Labor MPs, former ministers, teal MPs and top unionists demanding he reconsider his backing of the agreement. Read more: bit.ly/4x6qqnk