Many Politicians Lie. But Trump Has Elevated the Art of Fabrication

Whit Ayres, a Republican political consultant here, likes to tell his clients that there are “three keys to credibility.”

“One, never defend the indefensible,” he says. “Two, never deny the undeniable. And No. 3 is: Never lie.”

Would that politicians took his advice.

Fabrications have long been a part of American politics. Politicians lie to puff themselves up, to burnish their résumés and to cover up misdeeds, including sexual affairs. (See: Bill Clinton.) Sometimes they cite false information for what they believe are justifiable policy reasons. (See: Lyndon Johnson and Vietnam.)

But President Trump, historians and consultants in both political parties agree, appears to have taken what the writer Hannah Arendt once called “the conflict between truth and politics” to an entirely new level.

From his days peddling the false notion that former President Barack Obama was born in Kenya, to his inflated claims about how many people attended his inaugural, to his description just last week of receiving two phone calls — one from the president of Mexico and another from the head of the Boy Scouts — that never happened, Mr. Trump is trafficking in hyperbole, distortion and fabrication on practically a daily basis.

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Wreckage of US Osprey found off QLD

The Australian Navy has located a missing US military aircraft that crashed in waters off the Queensland coast, leaving three Marines presumed dead.

The HMAS Melville arrived in Shoalwater Bay, near Rockhampton, overnight to join a recovery operation after the tilt-rotor MV-22 Osprey plunged into the sea during a scheduled military exercise on Saturday.

“Shortly after commencing survey operations in the area, the submerged aircraft was located,” Defence Minister Marise Payne said on Monday evening.

Source: Wreckage of US Osprey found | Perth Now

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Donald Trump ‘obsessed with his own self-image’, visiting senior Republican says

A senior US Republican visiting Australia for diplomatic talks says President Donald Trump is struggling with the limitations of a job he never expected to get.

Michael Steele, a former chairman of the powerful Republican National Committee, told ABC News Mr Trump was still grappling with the transition from colourful businessman and reality-TV star to Commander in Chief.

“Not everyone listens to you just because you’re president,” Mr Steele said…

Source: Donald Trump ‘obsessed with his own self-image’, visiting senior Republican says – Donald Trump’s America – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

Donna Steele murder: Cooktown mum knew her killer, police say

A MOTHER-of-two found dead in crocodile-infested waters in far north Queensland was likely murdered by someone she knew.

Donna Louise Steele’s body was discovered in a remote creek early on Sunday, four days after the 42-year-old was reported missing by her partner.

She was last seen alive on Wednesday at an IGA supermarket in Cooktown. Detective Inspector Geoff Marsh told media today the body found in Isabella Creek hadn’t yet been positively identified, but investigators believed it was Ms Steele.

When asked if there were any suspects he said police had a “number of lines of inquiry” — and ruled out the killing as a random act.

“We are confident that [the killer] was a person known to her.”

Inspector Marsh said inquiries in relation to her belongings, and in particular at her home, led police to suspect it was a targeted attack.

He would not confirm reports the body was found wrapped in some sort of material.

A number of Cooktown locals had already come forward with information, something Inspector Marsh hoped would continue.

Initially there had been “great alarm” when Ms Steele vanished and there was now “absolute shock” her body had been found.

Source: Donna Steele murder: Cooktown mum knew her killer, police say

GAY marriage legal in Australia by next year? Under a new policy Liberal MPs have agreed on

GAY marriage could be legal in Australia by next year under a new policy Liberal MPs have agreed on in an emergency party room meeting today.

Liberal backbenchers have overwhelmingly agreed to try for a second time to secure a plebiscite on marriage equality.

The government’s first attempt at a plebiscite on marriage equality was blocked by Labor, Greens and crossbench senators in November.

Prime Minister Turnbull called the emergency party meeting today to secure a way forward, and bring Liberal infighting over the issue to an end, before Parliament returns tomorrow.

Earlier Nationals MP Andrew Broad has threatened to quit the Coalition over same-sex marriage if the Liberal Party allows MPs a parliamentary vote on the issue without a plebiscite.

Mr Broad told his local newspaper, the Sunraysia Daily, if marriage law was changed without a plebiscite it would signal the end of the Coalition.

“It won’t be me only, the whole show would blow up,” he was quoted as saying. “So suddenly you’d lose 16 lower house members in one bloc. Turnbull’s leadership would become untenable and he’d no longer be prime minister.”

Source: Gay marriage vote emergency meeting: Liberal MPs open to postal plebiscite

11 killed after gunman attacks church in southeast Nigeria

Authorities in Nigeria say at least 11 people are dead and others were critically wounded when gunmen attacked a church in southeastern Nigeria.

Garba Umar, police commissioner of Anambra state, said a gunman attacked St. Philip Catholic Church early Sunday.

But one parishioner, Uche Nonoso, told The Associated Press there were in fact two gunmen and more than 15 killed at the church.

The Rev. Hygi Aghaulor, communications director for the Nnewi Diocese, said the community was praying for the wounded.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but the police say a manhunt has been launched. Authorities said they did not believe Boko Haram was behind the attack. The group has burned hundreds of churches over the past decade.

Source: 11 killed after gunman attacks church in southeast Nigeria – ABC News

WA Teen runaway with FASD ended up drowned, eaten by shark or crocodile

A 15-year-old boy who drowned and then had his body mauled by a crocodile or shark in WA was suffering foetal alcohol syndrome disorder, a coronial inquest hears.

Coroner Sarah Linton is this week holding an inquest in Broome into the death the boy, who drowned in coastal mangroves in 2013 after wandering away from the bush block where he was being looked after.

The courts heard he died from submersion, but his body was then mauled by either a crocodile or a shark, and had his foot chewed off.

The inquest is looking at whether the level of care provided was adequate, particularly in relation to managing the teenager’s FASD and habit of inhaling solvents.

The teenager had a history of running away, and on the day he went missing had told another boy he was planning to walk to the town of Derby, 65 kilometres east across the vast King Sound waterway.

Sergeant Jamie Raper said the search was treated as an urgent matter from the moment the teenager was reported missing.

“We were very concerned … it is a very hostile environment,” he said.

“Very thick mangroves, extreme heat, and the tides and the crocodiles … it was by far the most difficult search that I’ve done.”

He said communications were “a nightmare”.

The next morning, after an extensive search involving helicopters, Indigenous rangers and dozens of volunteers, the teenager’s body was found in mangroves.

Source: Teen runaway with FASD ended up drowned, eaten by shark or crocodile – ABC News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

The ‘net can’t cope as Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announce they are ‘legally separating’

What even is love?

One of Hollywood’s favourite pairs, Chris Pratt and Anna Faris, have announced they are “legally separating” after eight-years of marriage.

In a joint statement released on their social media accounts the actor couple, who married in 2009, said they have “tried hard for a long time,” before asking for privacy for the sake of their four-year-old son Jack.

“Anna and I are sad to announce we are legally separating,” the statement on Pratt’s Facebook reads.

“We tried hard for a long time, and we’re really disappointed. Our son has two parents who love him very much and for his sake we want to keep this situation as private as possible moving forward. We still have love for each other, will always cherish our time together and continue to have the deepest respect for one another.”

MORE: The internet can’t cope as Chris Pratt and Anna Faris announce they are ‘legally separating’

Paypal scam, FaceBook scam: Don’t be fooled Scammers are getting way too clever

A SEEMINGLY innocuous message plops into my LinkedIn inbox: “Hello. How are you doing?”

Messages stream in on Facebook and email: Your Squarespace account has been suspended. Your Apple account has been suspended. Click the link. Click the link. CLICK THE LINK.

The Federal Government’s Scamwatch notes that Australians lost more than $300 million to scams in 2016 — up from $229 million the year before. That’s a 31 per cent increase.

According to the Scamwatch website, the most losses were racked up through investment scams, closely followed by romance scams. A huge portion of people reporting scams (45 per cent) were Australians over the age of 55.

Cyber safety consultant Leonie Smith — dubbed “the Cyber Safety Lady” — says scammers “will go for people that are over 60 because they think those people are more vulnerable. They haven’t been on the internet as long, they’re not digital natives.”

In fact, my friend Oliver tells me an anecdote that fits this exact scenario: “My elderly dad is really interested in astronomy and downloaded astronomy software that had a Trojan attached to it.

“He then rang the fake Microsoft number that popped up on his on screen and they tried to scam him for a lot of money. He refused to pay and they kept ringing back harassing and bullying him for cash,” Oliver says, adding that he believes “there’s a huge need for community education” among retirees.

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Back with Cyber Safety Lady Leonie Smith, many of her clients “are really quite shocked” when they learn how open they’ve made themselves to online scamming…

Source: Paypal scam, St George bank text scam: Don’t be fooled

NSW bus driver charged over acid attacks

A Sydney bus driver is accused of pouring an acid-like substance on at least 16 cars at Macquarie University and a nearby shopping centre.

The 53-year-old was arrested early on Friday after police received reports from victims whose cars were targeted between February and June.

Initially, police had only three confirmed cases until users on a Chinese-language forum speculated the attacks were racially motivated and formed a group to encourage more victims to come forward.

Vehicles at carparks in Macquarie University and Macquarie Park shopping centre were damaged over a four-month period.

Superintendent Stephen Egginton said the man was identified with the help of photographs taken by a victim.

“We were able to identify the offender as being a bus driver and that linked into the times of the offences across the areas where they occurred,” he told reporters in Sydney on Monday.

“It’s important members of the community feel they can report these matters to us, because the early indications were that there was a reluctance from some … to come forward.”

Source: NSW bus driver charged over acid attacks | Perth Now

Thousands of Woolworths customers have been double billed for purchases made in March

WOOLWORTHS has confirmed an issue with its payments provider has caused customers around the country to be charged again for purchases made in March.

Customers flooded to the supermarket’s Facebook page on Monday to complain, with some reporting hundreds of dollars missing from their bank accounts. The issue affects both online and in-store purchases. Woolworths could not confirm how many customers had been affected, but it is believed to be in the thousands.

“Today I have been double billed by Woolworths for transactions from the 11th of March, Woolworths have stolen almost $300 and I want my money back,” wrote Leanne Stewart. Donna Carthey added: “Any idea when the money you took out of my account incorrectly will be repaid?”

Kylie Willey said she noticed $245 missing from her account this morning for transactions on the 11th, 12th and 13th of March. “Pretty poor service, Woolworths. You stuffed up! How many times has this happened and I’ve missed it?” she wrote. “How safe are our cards with you that you can re-access them months later?”

Thomas Miller said his bank account had been debited for a transaction on the 3rd of March. “The only reason I noticed this was the account is inactive with a zero balance which suddenly was a negative,” he wrote. “The bank says it is Woolworths fault/problem. Please explain how and why this has happened? How many times has this happened in the past?”

Cat Steele wrote: “Can someone please tell me why Woolworths took money out of my account today with a date of 13th of March? Why do you still have my card details four months later after this supposed transaction? What the hell is going on? This is not okay.”

Emma Bell added: “I love paying for my groceries twice, Woolworths — especially six months later! Good work.”

A Woolworths spokeswoman said: “We have received confirmation from Cuscal, one of our payment processors that service financial institutions, that due to an error at their data centre a limited number of Woolworths customers may have received incorrect transactions on accounts processed by Cuscal.

“We are working closely with Cuscal and can confirm any payment errors will be corrected as soon as possible. We apologise for the inconvenience this may cause customers. If further information is required please contact 1300 767 969.”

Source: Woolworths customers double billed for purchases made in March 2017

13 injured in hazardous materials leak at California dock

 

Twelve dock workers and a firefighter sustained minor to mild injuries after a container ship leaked a hazardous material in the Port of Long Beach.

City Fire Department spokesman Brian Fisk said a 6,000-gallon container on the Harbour Bridge ship began leaking the liquid Sunday morning.

The Coast Guard identified the liquid as propyl acetate, primarily used as a solvent. It’s unclear how much spilled or what caused the leak.

Fisk says the leak was contained and a 1,000-foot perimeter was established as a precaution.

Eleven dock workers were treated for minor injuries at the scene while one was taken to a hospital with mild injuries. A firefighter was injured in a fall at the scene.

Local and federal officials are investigating the spill and monitoring cleanup efforts.

Source: 13 injured in hazardous materials leak at California dock – ABC News

‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7, Episode 4 review: ‘The Spoils of War’

When the rules of the game are win or die, you become what you couldn’t anticipate and unleash forces you can’t control.

Can’t get enough “Game of Thrones”? Come on over to my Washington Post chat here Monday at 1 p.m. 

“Game of Thrones” has become known for its extravagant, daring battle sequences. But even by the standard of “Hardhome” or “Battle of the Bastards,” “The Spoils of War” was an outstanding piece of television, the first episode of  “Game of Thrones” in quite some time that has left me physically shaken and morally stirred. After three weeks of sometimes grindingly expository setup, “The Spoils of War” got things moving, making use of the series’ newfound penchant for quick travel to get the war between Daenerys Targaryen (Emilia Clarke) and Cersei Lannister (Lena Headey) truly underway. But the battle that accomplished this was also the culmination of a larger theme developed in earlier scenes: This is an episode about recognizing that someone or something is far more lethal than you think, and trying to adjust your worldview accordingly.

To start at the beginning, when the theme is presented with a bit of a twist, two of the Lannister siblings seem to be underrating the lethality of some of their compatriots…

ALL + MORE HERE: ‘Game of Thrones’ Season 7, Episode 4 review: ‘The Spoils of War’ – The Washington Post

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Aussie Betty Cuthbert dead at 79: Olympic legend Golden Girl. Gold in 100m, 200m + 400m

AUSTRALIAN Olympic legend Betty Cuthbert has died aged 79 after a long battle with multiple sclerosis.

As an 18-year-old, Cuthbert was one of the stars of the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, winning three gold medals in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay.

She set an Olympic record of 11.4 seconds in the 100m and ran the anchor leg as Australia broke the world record in the relay. She set an astonishing nine world records in her career, four of which came in 1958.

After injury prevented her from adding to her medal tally in Rome four years later she retired, but came back to the sport to add the 400m crown in Tokyo in 1964.

She is still the only Olympian — male or female — to have won gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m and only Ian Thorpe (five) has won more gold for Australia.

Source: Betty Cuthbert dead at 79: Australian Olympic legend was our Golden Girl