Braidwood Bugle

18/07/2025

2h 15m | PG-13

18/07/2025

Council Agenda out now for next week's meeting

Find out about Council meetings, download agendas, register to present or watch the livestream.

18/07/2025

The Royal Mail Hotel Braidwood

Could this be your tree change?

17/07/2025

The problem with any movement built around a cult of personality is that eventually it consumes every one of its limbs, until every vestige of doubt is purged from the body.

There is nothing more dangerous than a man who believes himself invincible, untouchable, or incapable of error. But history teaches us that this toxicity almost always eats its host in the end, albeit with sufficient collateral damage to define the demise of their legacy.

But these peculiar examples from the past provide a common cautionary tale. When a messiah has been centred in such industrialised delusion, they become consumed by their own legend. They become so surrounded by believers that they no longer hear the truth. So convinced of their omnipotence they lose the vital instinct of fear... until it arrives too late.

Trump's undoing here is not necessarily what is in these files. The MAGA loyalists could have been prepped and cultivated by enough disinformation masquerading as context to ensure any flesh wound was survivable.

His failure is that he believed himself to be so powerful and revered that he could simply order his base to defy their emotional obsession that his own movement spent a decade implanting in their consciousness. Without explanation, without even a hint of acknowledgement of the gravity of his ask, he demanded his base erase their conscience and pretend everything they saw never happened.

His hubris is easy to understand, he's given this order many times before. Over his bragging of sexual assault, over his clear and obvious ties to Putin, over his criminal corruption, and over his attempt to overturn an election.

But those were willing participants to cognitive dissonance, they were not emotionally attached to the truth. This is different, we could all see this was different. This was the defining grievance against the moral depravity of the liberal elite that had been coached into a generation of America's right wing. The Democrats were the child abusers, and Epstein was just the one they finally caught... and only Trump had the means to expose the whole cabal.

A nation whose story is inextricably sewn together with conspiracy theories has now been captivated by one unfolding in prime time that requires no moral nuance, and Trump has immersed himself further into its narrative with every agitated attempt to extinguish it.

I said a week ago that this would truly be his greatest escape if he pulls it off, and he still may escape. I do not underestimate the ability of MAGA loyalists to subvert their critical reasoning in pursuit of emotional comfort.

But perhaps most remarkably, he doesn't seem to be trying to escape... he has grown so convinced of his immortality that he cannot generate the fear necessary to respond to the gravity of the situation.

So who is there to tell him that his powers of mass mind control are insufficient? Who around him has the courage or conviction to urge a desperate change of tack?

Or are they slowly realising that it's already too late? That this damage can't be fixed? And the lifeboats are now being lowered? Keep your eyes on JD Vance to see how fast the ship may be sinking...

The next few weeks will determine how history records this scandal. Is this the beginning of the end of Trump's catastrophic chapter? or just another festering wound he will carry with sufficient stench to remind the world that he was right... he truly is invincible.

17/07/2025

Submissions are open for the September edition of
The Volunteer Magazine

If you would like to share an inspiring story, an operational/ training experience, shout out an amazing volunteer or a noteworthy update from your NSW SES unit, now’s your chance to share it!

Make sure to submit your contributions by 12th August 2025
Email content to: [email protected]

All previous editions can be viewed online at www.nswsesva.org.au

16/07/2025

16/07/2025

Australia's environment protection laws have both failed to stop the degradation of nature and also held back economic growth, former Treasury secretary Ken Henry warns.

16/07/2025

16/07/2025

Roger’s weather report

15/07/2025

Just a little reminder that our Mumma's Connect group is starting this Thursday 17th. All mums and bubs under 12 months and expectant mums are welcome to join us.

Pop along for a relaxed catch-up with other local mums and bubs. We will discuss how you would like to see the group run and an opportunity to suggest topics and guest speakers. I will be facilitating the group and will also include handy breastfeeding hints, adjusting to becoming a mum topics and making the group a safe, supportive and welcoming place to come.

First meeting is free, so come along to see what it is all about, bring a friend. Message me for more information