CathyArmus
cathyarmus.bsky.social
CathyArmus
@cathyarmus.bsky.social
Ex Research Librarian - architecture, urban planning, environment, arch photo.Loves books and reading, book reviews. Esp int - social/public housing. Follows politics everywhere - well to the left. Turrbal land, Brisbane Australia.
Hadn't read this before but it is a great take, and very funny, on Trump's speech at Davos.

The sound of one ego applauding: Trump at Davos theaimn.net/the-sound-of...
The sound of one ego applauding: Trump at Davos
There are bad speeches, there are awkward speeches, and then there are speeches that wander onto the world stage, trip over their own shoelaces, and insist they meant to do that. President Donald Trum...
theaimn.net
February 2, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Reposted by CathyArmus
February 1, 2026 at 12:01 PM
What a match! #AO
January 30, 2026 at 2:35 PM
I'm old enough to remember string bags - horrible things they were.

www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
String bags and no plastic: How grocery shopping used to be
A New South Wales grocery store has been operating since before there was refrigeration, electricity and even Vegemite.
www.abc.net.au
January 30, 2026 at 9:38 AM
Longish read, well written & argued (whatever your views on Hilary Clinton).I think she would have made a memorable President.
Trump's war on empathy...threatens to pave..way for an extreme vision of Christian nationalism that seeks to replace democracy with theocracy in America”:
shorturl.at/dDyew
MAGA’s War on Empathy
This crisis in Minneapolis reveals a deep moral rot at the heart of Trump’s movement.
www.theatlantic.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:17 AM
Happy to see Níall McLaughlin win the Gold Medal.

No 1 for nuns! Níall McLaughlin is architecture’s discreet daredevil – and deserves its top award www.theguardian.com/artanddesign...
No 1 for nuns! Níall McLaughlin is architecture’s discreet daredevil – and deserves its top award
Forget brash statement projects – Riba’s prestigious gold medal has gone to a pivotal figure who works above an Aldi and designs billowing bandstands, jewel-like chapels and buildings that change colo...
www.theguardian.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:43 AM
Reposted by CathyArmus
www.theguardian.com/environment/...

ICYMI

“More than 57,000 hectares of threatened species habitat was approved for destruction by the Australian government in 2025 – the most in 15 years, according to analysis by the Australian Conservation Foundation.”
Ten Sydney Harbours’ worth of threatened species habitat approved for destruction in 2025, report finds
ACF analysis finds amount of habitat approved by Albanese government for land-clearing hit a 15-year high last year
www.theguardian.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Reposted by CathyArmus
“Australia doesn't have a gas supply problem, we have a gas export problem, and more and more Australians are waking up to the scam that has been happening for the last two decades.”

- David Pocock, Senator for the ACT

#auspol
January 28, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Reposted by CathyArmus
“Burn it to the ground.” The Israel lobby in Australia. Great writing from @ronnisalt.bsky.social #auspol
January 24, 2026 at 9:02 AM
Gift article- interesting thoughts on Rahm Emanuel and a lovely 'For the love of sentences' and a short critique of sandwiches. #FrankBruni

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/26/o...
Opinion | Rahm Emanuel Will Speak to You Now
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 1:45 AM
Reposted by CathyArmus
This is a really incredible piece. Share it widely 🎁https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/2026/01/minneapolis-uprising/685755/?gift=C-rzmQ8PsUHt15odxTKJDn7xrpPNxSpotkNz_P27oI0
Welcome to the American Winter
In the frozen streets of Minneapolis, something profound is happening.
www.theatlantic.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Gift article - finally Trump called a fascist

"Recent events have brought Trump’s governing style into sharper focus," Jonathan Rauch argues. "'Fascist' best describes it, and reluctance to use the term has now become perverse." www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
Yes, It’s Fascism
Until recently, I thought it a term best avoided. But now, the resemblances are too many and too strong to deny.
www.theatlantic.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Gift article. Informative read - heartening to learn about people who are on the side of justice and accountability. Philippe Sands - human rights lawyer

www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/m...
‘This Could End Very Badly’: A Human Rights Lawyer Fears a New Age of Impunity
www.nytimes.com
January 25, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by CathyArmus
Francesca Albanese. #GazaGenocide #GazaHolocaust
January 25, 2026 at 5:56 AM
Gift article - I'm at a loss for words about this. Renewable energy is the goal but this is an extraordinary price to potentially pay. This could add up to the loss of thousands of threatened species.

www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/share/22449/...
Murray Watt’s licence to kill endangered species in Tasmania
Murray Watt’s latest approval for Korea Zinc includes a table that explicitly permits the company to kill thousands of native animals a year, including critically endangered species such as the swift ...
www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au
January 24, 2026 at 9:46 AM
They wouldn't stand a chance in Australia
Secretary of State Marco Rubio approved the deportation of five student activists last year after receiving memos describing their participation in pro-Palestinian protests and their writings about the war in Gaza, according to government documents unsealed by a federal judge on Thursday.
D.H.S. Cited Foreign Students’ Writings and Protests Before Their Arrests
Documents unsealed by a federal judge on Thursday include dossiers that investigators prepared on pro-Palestinian student activists before they were targeted for deportation.
nyti.ms
January 23, 2026 at 2:04 PM
The truth about the NATO engagement in Afghanistan. Also 47 Australians died, 263 were injured, 10 New Zealanders died,18 were injured after the Anzus treaty was invoked.
One Danish soldier "we were on the front lines, the same as the Americans. That was our job" shorturl.at/aJirg
Trump Casually Denigrates NATO’s War Dead
The president has revised history when it comes to the sacrifices of America’s allies.
www.theatlantic.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:52 AM
Them v Us - playing out in Australia too

www.liberalcurrents.com/liberalism-d...
Liberalism Did Not Fail, Conservatism Did
We are moving from an ideologically multipolar world, to a bipolar one.
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 21, 2026 at 10:19 AM
I actually find this very heartening, stronger together and in NATO
January 20, 2026 at 9:43 AM
Listening David Crisafulli #guns
"Over time, state governments have become complacent about Australia's gun laws."

Deputy Director Ebony Bennett joined the 7am podcast to unpack why Australia has more guns than ever, and how gun reform could make everyone safer.
@ebonybennett.bsky.social #auspol
January 20, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Telling it like it is - will the people who matter listen?

www.thedailybeast.com/now-is-the-t...
Now Is the Time to Admit It, America: Trump Is a Dangerous, Lunatic Moron
If you can’t see it now, you’re the problem.
www.thedailybeast.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:02 AM