GE turns five! Goes to show geopolitics still sells!

Global Editorial was conceived (okay, get your minds out of the gutter) five years ago on a hot and muggy day in Dallas, which is how you describe Big D for nine months of the year. Here's the the piece that has received the most amount of feedback, both in a positive and death threat kind of way. 

https://globaleditorial.blogspot.com/2018/04/weird-and-wonderful-state-slogans.html

Thanks to everyone who has been there from day one. Looking forward to continuing the global brain exercises for years to come...

The following clips contain graphic images from the world's largest harbour (apologies to Hong Kong). Filming took place on the last day of winter (I use that word very loosely). For those playing weather trivia, there are only two seasons in Sydney: summer and a Canadian summer (or as locals call it, a Sydney winter). 

Harbour ferry (31/08/2020)

Watsons Bay Beach (31/08/2020)

The "Coathanger" finally makes its debut!

I was born and raised in Sydney, which means only one thing: I waited until my fourth decade on this planet to finally vlog with the Harbour Bridge (Coathanger) in the background. 

 If you don't pay taxes to the IRS (non US resident), in 73 days please re-watch this clip to calm your senses over the election result.

Balmain East Wharf - 22/08/2020

JRB all the way (if only there was a better choice)

I love Delaware, there I said it! The first place I visited in the US was fittingly the first state. No, I didn't visit due to its 0% sales tax or it being a haven for companies escaping the IRS. I was doing an internship at the World Trade Centre, while there I discovered what locals refer to as Amtrak Joe. The Joe I’m referring to was born on November 20, 1942, middle name is Robinette, okay, I’ll just say it: the 46th President of these United States. Let me rewind, will become the leader of the free world if a certain vocal racist minority stays in their bunkers. 

The Amtrak connection is worth noting. Biden would get on the train from his adopted hometown of Wilmington to DC, even as Senator he wouldn’t take the easy option of hiding in an armed vehicle. I admire his working class roots from his upbringing in Scranton, PA. Many might think he over does his folksy charm, but I genuinely believe him to be sincere. However, this does not discount the fact that he has a long record of backing tough crime measures. Hey Republicans, you wanna hear this (in case you’ve forgotten): this man you refer to as "liberal" went on live television as a Senator to tell George H. W. Bush that his war on drugs didn’t go far enough. 

I understand the pain of progressives in America, why Joe? It didn’t help that he picked Kamala Harris as his running mate. Take away her proud immigrant roots and you’re pretty much left with someone who can pass as a stern white lady all for jailing her fellow citizens for petty crime. As sad as it is, Biden-Harris is the only vote that can be cast to somehow stabilise the nation. To think open-minded folk who believe in freedom, liberty and empathy have to vote for the mass incarceration advocates, due to the fact that the progressive movement in the US didn't have the guts to nominate quality liberal candidates such as Julián Castro. 

On Tuesday, November 3 I believe the greatest nation on earth (I still think that honour goes to Finland) will wake up and do what's right. Yes, Joseph Robinette Biden Jr. is not the best choice, but in comparison to the delusional-maniac-in-chief he is a tree hugging hippie. As an American resident (who knows, I might just become a US citizen if Biden cancels student loan debt and actually makes healthcare a right) I will do my duty to support my better half in making a difference to the nation that the world depends on.

Global Editorial is not about telling you how to vote, it’s all about providing the brain exercises to make you think. When casting a vote in any election (whichever country you have the right to vote in) just remember this: support candidates that would rather defend human rights, then do what it takes to make a name for themselves. Many enter politics to be someone, what we need is more of people that want to do something (for the greater good). I trust that in 76 days, we the people will wake up to an America that has rediscovered its love of diversity and liberty. If not, the People's Republic of China will become the world's lone superpower. Start to brush-up on your communist literature in case of an emergency.

Never place a Swiss timepiece on your wrist, if?

Switzerland votes 'yes' in the referendum on September 27, 2020 to curb EU migration. Switzerland prides itself on its neutrality and prides itself on being a true democracy, unlike many Western nations they go directly to the people to pass legislation. Unfortunately, the Swiss have not been immune to right wing populism spreading across Europe quicker than the coronavirus. (FYI, as of writing Swiss Covid-19 fatalities is 234 per 1M pop). The racist Swiss People's Party (SVP) happens to be the largest party (holds 53 seats in the 200-seat National council), so no surprises that they're hell-bent on taking the Swiss to a time when they were sucking up to a deranged maniac named Adolf. 

I know it's not sexy to take an interest in a landlocked nation that is so well off that their poor would be considered rich in most nations, but the world needs to intervene if they vote yes. More than ever we need nations that are neutral to the xenophobia sweeping the globe, it's bad enough that Switzerland has allowed a racist party to thrive, but due to their love of referenda they can still stop their disease at the ballot box. If the silent majority of Swiss don't stand up, then the SVP will have an ego that might change Swiss identity for the worse. To adventure junkies out there: don't you dare book a Swiss holiday in the Alps if racism wins. 

How a nation made up of four cultural identities (German, French, Italian, Romansh) representing the richness of Europe can even contemplate curbing integration is akin to an April Fools joke. What's the bet that the Swiss will laugh at America if it reelects a bigot, but they'll fail to realise that they're also just as ignorant.

On September 27, grab some Swiss chocolate, if curbing migration is struck down, then by all means feast on chocolate. If, however racism wins the day, never ever look twice at Nestlé, they can go bust for all I care. The Swiss will have the ultimate say, but we earthlings can voice our protest by boycotting all things Swiss, even Zurich Insurance, don't think I forgot about the 'sexy' world of insurance.

No disrespect to Roger Federer, but if he wants to be known as the greatest of all-time, the least he can do is campaign for the No vote, instead of hiding his wealth in Swiss banks to avoid taxes. China-US relations take up much of the world's oxygen, but we must not forget that many nations are making moves towards a more mono-cultural world. If a beacon of democracy goes down this path, then what can we expect of nations transitioning to democratic norms.