Episode 121: Thorpe leaves Greens in lurch, Dark Brandon rises and good news about the sea!

Van Badham and Ben Davison examine former Greens Senator for
Victoria Lidia Thorpe's announcement that she is no longer a
Green Party member but is now leader of "a grassroots Blak
sovereign movement."


They look at the commentary around her split from the Greens,
events leading up to this moment, what "a grassroots Blak
sovereign movement" might actually mean based on Thorpe's public
statements and the implications for democracy and the Voice
referendum.


Thorpe's announcement, made standing alone in a hallway, came on
the first sitting day of parliament for 2023 where a large number
of issues are being debated, including more improvements for
workers rights.  You can join your union at
australianunions.org.au/wow to make sure you get your proper
wages and conditions.


Dark Brandon (a play on a meme about Joe Biden) rose today as Joe
Biden nailed the Republican's during the State of the Union
Address.  Van and Ben discuss how Qanon talking points,
culture wars and performative politics have so consumed the
Republicans that Biden was able to get them to publicly show
support for social security and Medicare while their leaders
accuse one another of horrendous crimes, ban books and want to
legislate putting sugar in milk.


Plus there is good news from the SEA about both hydrogen and
plastics!


Van also gives an on air promise to sign copies of her book Qanon
and On for anyone who comes to see the Week on Wednesday LIVE! at
the Adelaide Fringe Festival,
https://adelaidefringe.com.au/fringetix/the-week-on-wednesday-live-with-van-badham-ben-davison-live-podcast-af2023 


There's also shout outs to our supporters who have gone to
www.buymeacoffee.com/weekonwednesday including special ones for a
new arrival to Australia and an Extend the Reach supporter who
has become Cadre!