Blow the Truth

Trump Administration: This week, the White House released the first-ever comprehensive National Action Plan to Combat Human Trafficking.  The National Action Plan (NAP) represents the broad-based, multi-disciplinary, whole-of-government strategy of the United States to eradicate human trafficking.  This plan is built around the three pillars laid out in the Trafficking Victims Protection Act of 2000: Prevention, Protection, and Prosecution.  The NAP’s fourth pillar recognizes the invaluable benefit of implementing collaborative and cooperative efforts that crosscut all three pillars and involve a multitude of stakeholders and professionals from various disciplines and sectors.  Under the heading of each pillar, the NAP identifies foundational principles and associated priority action items. Human trafficking is an intolerable blight on any society that values freedom, individual rights, human dignity, and the rule of law.  The Trump Administration is committed t...

THE CONVERSATION Sarah John , Flinders University In the US election next month, record-breaking numbers of voters will cast their ballots by mail for the first time. Millions of these ballots will be processed by local election administrations inexperienced with large numbers of mail-in votes. In this environment, many ballots are likely to be rejected for technical reasons, such as non-matching signatures (the signature on the ballot doesn’t match the signature on voter registration forms), raising the risk of protracted court battles in key battleground states. Already, lawsuits are being filed in many of these states to try to prevent or reduce ballot rejections, which, perversely, may only make the problem worse if voters can’t keep track of constantly changing rules. Large numbers of ballot rejections could prove pivotal if the race is close in key states like Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Michigan, which Donald Trump won by less than 80,000 votes in total in 2016 to claim victor...

President Trump Data released by the Census Bureau today show that 2019 was a historic year for raising Americans’ living standards. Real median household income reached a record high, and poverty reached a record low. Improvements in income and poverty were the largest in over 50 years. Minority groups—including black, Hispanic and Asian Americans—experienced the largest gains. Median income reaches all-time high after largest one-year increase on record Real median household income increased by $4,400 in 2019, reaching an all-time record high of $68,700. This represents a 6.8 percent one-year increase, which is the largest one-year increase in median income on record. Since 2016, real median household income has increased by 9.7 percent (after adjusting for a Census survey redesign in 2017). Income gains in 2019 were largest for minority groups. Real median income grew by 7.9 percent for black Americans, 7.1 percent for Hispanic Americans, and 10.6 percent for Asian Americans (see Fi...

Dan Andrews: There's been plenty said about how challenging 2020 has been. And it’s true. This year has asked more of us – taken more from us – than any year, ever. But 2020 has also proven, without doubt, the incredible courage of Victorians. We have found it in ourselves to stay the course. And as a state – millions strong – we are defeating this virus. Other places around the world have not been so successful. Back in August and at our peak, we reported 725 daily cases. At the same time, the UK recorded 891. Today, as Victoria records two new cases, the UK hit 16,171. And as we continue easing our restrictions – they are being forced to increase theirs. We are seeing states and cities, not so different from our own, overwhelmed by their second wave. Doctors and nurses being asked to decide which of their patients are most worthy of their care. And communities – entire countries – confronting the reality that this will be “normal” until there is a vaccine. We have escaped that aw...

First Lady Melania Trump: It was two weeks ago when I received the diagnosis that so many Americans across our country and the world had already received—I tested positive for COVID-19. To make matters worse, my husband, and our nation’s Commander-in-Chief, received the same news. Naturally, my mind went immediately to our son. To our great relief, he tested negative, but again, as so many parents have thought over the past several months, I couldn’t help but think “what about tomorrow or the next day?”. My fear came true when he was tested again and it came up positive. Luckily he is a strong teenager and exhibited no symptoms. In one way I was glad the three of us went through this at the same time so we could take care of one another and spend time together. He has since tested negative. I was very fortunate as my diagnosis came with minimal symptoms, though they hit me all at once and it seemed to be a roller coaster of symptoms in the days after. I experienced body aches, a cough ...

President Trump Holds Make America Great Again Rally in Johnstown, PA 

THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you very much. And keep that enthusiasm going. Get out and vote. We got to vote. We got to vote these people into oblivion. (Applause.) Vote them into oblivion. Got to get rid of them. So bad for our country. First of all, I’m feeling great. I don’t know about you. How’s everyone feeling? Good? (Applause.) And I’m honoured to welcome — we call this a “peaceful protest” — to the White House in support of the incredible men and women of law enforcement and all of the people that work so well with us. And I have to tell you, our black community, our Hispanic community, thank you very much. Thank you. (Applause.) But before going any further, I want to thank all of you for your prayers. I know you’ve been praying, and I was — (applause) — in that hospital. I was watching down over so many people. And I went out to say hello to those people, and I took a little heat for it, but I’d do it again, let me tell you. I’d do it again. (Applause.) And on behalf of myself ...

President Vladimir Putin met with Chief of the General Staff of Russia’s Armed Forces – First Deputy Defence Minister Valery Gerasimov. President of Russia Vladimir Putin : Good afternoon, Mr Gerasimov. Go ahead, please. Chief of the General Staff of  Russia’s Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov: Good afternoon, Comrade Supreme Commander-in-Chief, Frigate Admiral Gorshkov deployed in the White Sea a Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile at a sea target in the Barents Sea. Photo Kremlin Here is what I have to report. At 7:15 am yesterday, the frigate Admiral Gorshkov deployed in the White Sea, for the first time fired a Tsirkon hypersonic cruise missile at a sea target in the Barents Sea. The goal has been achieved. The test firing has been declared successful. The missile destroyed the target in a direct hit. The missile covered a distance of 450 kilometres. The maximum altitude of its trajectory was 28 kilometres. The flight lasted 4....

Senator HANSON-YOUNG ( South Australia )  7 Oct 20 BILLS - Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020 - Second Reading: I rise to speak in opposition to this terrible piece of legislation, the Higher Education Support Amendment (Job-Ready Graduates and Supporting Regional and Remote Students) Bill 2020. Firstly, I'd like to associate myself with the comments made by my colleague Senator Faruqi , who leads this area for the Australian Greens .

THE VICE PRESIDENT: Well, hello, Iowa! Vice President Pence at Faith in Leadership: The Need for Revival | Des Moines, IA THE VICE PRESIDENT: To Bob Vander Plaats, his wife Darla, all of my fellow Americans: It’s great to be back in the Hawkeye State with all of the amazing men and women of the Family Leader. Give yourselves a round of applause. What a great organization. (Applause.) It’s great to be here today, just A MONTH from what I believe will be a great victory for faith and family all across Iowa and all across America. (Applause.) And I — I want to thank Dr. Ben Carson for those inspiring words and for his friendship. Abraham Lincoln said his only ambition in life was to be esteemed by people he esteemed. And I have to tell you, America is blessed by the steady, principled, faith-filled leadership of Dr. Ben Carson. Would you join me in thanking Ben Carson for all that he means to the life of this nation? (Applause.) We cherish you and Candy so much. Thank you, Ben. Ben and I ...