“The great masses of the people will more easily fall victim to a big lie than to a small one.” Adolph Hitler, Mein Kampf, 1925.
Two weeks ago, defence analysis company Janes claimed Russia had asked Indonesia for access to the Manuhau Air Force Base on Biak Island in Papua, a strategic bee’s dick away from mainland Australia.
Prime Ministerial candidate Peter ‘Spud’ Dutton went on the attack, saying Jakarta had confirmed the report > reds in the shed (if not under the bed) > the government are incompetent > the prime minister must resign!
But when Defence Minister Richard Marles sought official clarification, his Indonesian counterpart Sjafrie Sjamsoeddin insisted the report was untrue.
Indonesia is a democracy and does not host the military assets of foreign communist nations.
Dutto backed down, his first of many blunders and backflips this election cycle.
But his politically-motivated lie has been repeated and repeated and repeated by complicit media stooges ever since. It received almost-hysterical circulation. Surprising traction for a blatant lie…
Why is that, you wonder?
Russia actively interfered in the 2024 US election to promote Donald Trump into office for obvious reasons: DJT is a weak political opponent and a useful pawn. Of course, Russia has a long history of active interference in elections across Europe.
But across the Pacific?
Has there been “foreign electoral intervention” in the 2025 AU election? Does the persistence of the “Russian bombers” furphy confirm Putin is looking this way?
I’m certain he’d prefer “Temu-Trump” PM Spud over “anti-Russia” PM Albo.
The Russian playbook requires Spud and his neo-con goons to persist with the “where there’s smoke there’s fire” rhetoric, and for their media cronies to fan the imaginary flames.
But Australians are naturally skeptical of politicians and the media (and we’re also unfortunately well-versed in putting out fires). But this hoo-ha so close to the election only benefits one side.
Ultimately, I don’t think the lies matter, big or small, because AI has already determined the result:
So much for my prediction that Peter “Spud” Dutton will be the next conservative PM. Pants on fire, his party will extinguish him.
That said, a week in politics is a long time and we still have nine days to go. You can’t count your chickens until the horse has bolted, and when we assume we only make asses out of you and me.
But because I was eligible to vote early, on my way to grabbing lunch I stopped by the polling booth and gave my vote to PM Albo. Here’s what I heard in the queue:
Mulletman: “I’m ‘ere to exercise moy democratic right not to give a faaaaark!”
In response, Tattoolady: “Ha! Does anybody?”
Nodding her head, Oldbird: “Not sure what difference any of it makes anyway.”
Then I was at the door and the gatekeeper dispelled my suggestion (“So busy! Maybe people made up their minds early?”) with the wry observation, “They just want to get it over and done with”.
I’ll go with that.
Let’s get it done Australia, time to cast expelliarmus.