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Germaine Greer at 84 is still a powerful force, as was Rosemary Sorensen 's hit September story about the famous academic and activist. ***** Whatever she talks about and whenever she does it, Germaine Greer is impressive. Her latest media outing is an interview for British-American journalist Louis Theroux ’s podcast, recorded at the end of 2023 when Greer was still 84. That followed hard on the heels of a shorter interview by David Wenham recorded for ABC TV . Wenham’s was much better. It might have been because, for that interview, Greer had travelled from the Arcare aged-care home on the edge of Castlemaine, 100 kilometres north of Melbourne, to do the interview in person. It might have been that she was prepared for the questions (although she hadn’t, by the looks of it, been shown the footage the ABC used of her from as early as the 1960s). But I think it had more to do with the quality of the interviewer, or rather, as Theroux is much admired and Wenham better-known as an actor, with their attitude towards their subject. Wenham respected her, whereas Theroux treated her like a curiosity. Like a vintage car. A once-fashionable hairdo. Sclerotic celebrity. Deneuve, Greer and why #MeToo is not a 'witch-hunt' There would be no need for a #MeToo campaign if the justice system was adequately equipped to handle sexual crimes without victim blaming. We can ask why this is so from many angles. The backgrounds and careers of the interviewers, for starters, may have contributed to making them different kinds of people. There are also the expectations of the supposed audiences for, on one hand, Theroux’s podcast which tries to be new-media current, and Wenham’s ABC TV format, which is carefully produced and also pitched to an older audience. The most unsuccessful parts of the Theroux interview sound like a middle-aged man (he’s 53) trying to be relevant, while Wenham, five years older, just looks and sounds interested. Greer, who does like masculine attention (and even makes a stab at preening when she answers a question about older women attracting younger men), is totally tolerant of both interviews, although her trademark brusqueness is still employed occasionally. I live more or less down the road from Arcare, where her arrival a few years back was met with a ripple of excitement, and one of the first sightings of her was in an Italian coffee shop where people of Greer’s vintage love to meet and talk. Greer has mobility issues, but she’s hard to miss. And when someone had the temerity to approach and accuse her, in the way fans do, of being Germaine Greer, she denied it. She started talking about old age about eight years ago and it must have become clearer to her what she herself was facing. It’s usually about Germaine when she launches into her research on a topic. Remember her lamenting not having children and then launching into a defence of hormone replacement therapy ? She was, at one stage, all about Indigenous land rights , which seemed to be connected to her own love of the land and attempts to go back to living bush. She’s just so quotable, which is maybe why she talks in sound bites and also why her pronouncements have become less useful. In 2015, for International Women’s Day , she was on a panel where she said : “Give me the right to grow up, let me age. In our society, elder women have no respect.” She also talked about how the workers in aged care are exploited, so you’d imagine she’s pleased with the news just out that these workers are due a pay rise . Let our heroic women be voices for change The imbalance of power between men and women has been placed squarely in the spotlight over the past year. Shrewd about when and to whom she grants interviews, Greer spoke to The Australian two years ago about her experience as an “inmate” of the care home. If you were to visit this particular place, you’d maybe find that a bit odd since the units are very private, elegantly landscaped, with optional shared spaces, a café open to the public and discreet staff — more like a genteel motel than a prison, you might think. She mentioned again how she feels constricted in her movements when she spoke to Theroux and yearned to go bush — again, slightly odd because Castlemaine is threaded through with bush and this facility is actually more in the bush than in town. Wonderfully, Greer mentioned her delight in the big dragonflies attracted by the garden pond at her aged-care home. When she spoke with Wenham, she was asked about Clive James and she emotionally recalled speaking with him before he died about his longing to return “home” to Australia. The skies, she said, you don’t forget. Theroux’s questions addressed the usual controversies and this was one of the reasons the Mamamia podcasters – Holly Wainwright , Mia Freedman and Jessie Stephens – were critical of his interview. Wainwright and Freedman are, like Theroux, in their 50s, a generation that maybe still thinks of themselves as young or at least in touch with what it’s like to be young. According to these women, Greer was “not on her game” talking to Theroux, but “she’s lived an extraordinary life” and they were upset because “old people are mocked all the time” and they saw a bit of that kind of disrespect at work here. They asked each other about the ethics of recording someone whose age made it less likely they were able to give their best responses on the spot: “Your brain works differently because of your age.” The discomfort of these women hearing a once (still?) famous feminist hero being baited by a man who began the interview by mentioning he’d “dipped into” The Female Eunuch is well expressed in their chatty but well-shaped podcast. Greer has earned the right to “open herself to that criticism” , they agreed, mentioning the flak Greer received when she weighed in on transgender women . #MeToo: It matters that Baird and Badham are wrong about older feminists Ageism should not be used as a means to understand feminism in the #MeToo debate. Both Wenham and Theroux asked her about that and Greer said she’s listening, rather than commenting, these days. “Time I shut up, is what I think.” So, why these two interviews on the cusp of her 85th birthday? That’s the question I wish she’d been asked. Another question that might have been asked is, “What are you writing now?” Greer is not an academic (as she’s referred to in the preface to the 50th anniversary edition of The Female Eunuch ). Nor is she what we might call a professional feminist. She tells the story about how a lunch meeting rave about the treatment of women to the influential head of Random House , the late Sonny Mehta , led to him saying that’s the book he wanted her to write — and the rest is history. It wasn’t her idea to call it second-wave feminism, but she was clever enough to seize the moment, brilliant enough to write with such emphatic flair and charismatic enough to bring women with her. It was perhaps the approval of men that most encouraged her and maybe still does. She very much enjoys the memories of her liaisons with famous men, still warming her very big opinion of herself by the embers of that titillating fire. Although these interviews are flawed, although they might be seen as missed opportunities, they are absorbing for such moments as when, recalling how she up and left her family, blaming her mother, she says, “She nearly lost me, which probably would have been a stroke of luck” . Followed up by, “I ran away and began a lifetime of being a bolter” . She might not have been able to explain what she meant by those comments if she’d been asked, but there’s a poignant wistfulness there that is intriguing. She also talks about the women in the care home, how they’ve “got their own style, their own fashion, generally pretty fit” and comments that she sees women “who have been through the marriage mill” but is touched to see them visited by their daughters. There it is again, the beckoning question about what she might be writing as she watches the dragonflies and the lives around her. And what about the women who are being watched? This may not be the kindest thing to say, but wouldn’t it be something if one of the other “inmates” of Castlemaine’s Arcare home was taking notes in preparation for an essay all about Germaine Greer? Rosemary Sorensen was a newspaper, books and arts journalist based in Melbourne, then Brisbane, before moving to regional Victoria, where she founded the Bendigo Writers Festival, which she directed for 13 years. Related Articles Germaine Greer proves age is just a number This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs 3.0 Australia License Support independent journalism Subscribe to IA. MEDIA DISCRIMINATION WOMEN GERMAINE GREER feminism David Wenham Louis Theroux Arcare Mamamia Holly Wainwright Mia Freedman Jessie Stephens International Women’s Day Share ArticleIndiana encouraged by 'total team effort' with Miami (OH) up next

Greene Mountain Lake dam at risk of failure

Opposition fighters are closing in on Syria’s capital in a swiftly developing crisis that has taken much of the world by surprise. Syria's army has abandoned key cities in the west and south with little resistance. Nervous residents in Damascus describe security forces on the streets. The state news agency has been forced to deny rumors that President Bashar Assad has left the country. Who are these opposition fighters ? If they enter Damascus after taking two of Syria’s largest cities , what then? Here’s a look at the stunning reversal of fortune for Assad and his government in just the past 10 days, and what might lie ahead as Syria’s 13-year civil war reignites . Recommended Videos The aim? Overthrow the government This is the first time that opposition forces have reached the outskirts of the Syrian capital since 2018, when the country’s troops recaptured the area following a yearslong siege. The approaching fighters are led by the most powerful insurgent group in Syria, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham , or HTS, along with an umbrella group of Turkish-backed Syrian militias called the Syrian National Army. Both have been entrenched in the northwest. They launched the shock offensive on Nov. 27 with gunmen capturing Aleppo, Syria’s largest city, and the central city of Hama, the fourth largest. The HTS has its origins in al-Qaida and is considered a terrorist organization by the U.S. and the United Nations. But the group said in recent years it cut ties with al-Qaida, and experts say HTS has sought to remake itself in recent years by focusing on promoting civilian government in their territory as well as military action. HTS leader Abu Mohammed al-Golani told CNN in an exclusive interview Thursday from Syria that the aim of the offensive is to overthrow Assad’s government. Possible rifts ahead The HTS and Syrian National Army have been allies at times and rivals at times, and their aims might diverge. The Turkish-backed militias also have an interest in creating a buffer zone near the Turkish border to keep away Kurdish militants at odds with Ankara. Turkey has been a main backer of the fighters seeking to overthrow Assad but more recently has urged reconciliation, and Turkish officials have strongly rejected claims of any involvement in the current offensive. Whether the HTS and the Syrian National Army will work together if they succeed in overthrowing Assad or turn on each other again is a major question. Others take advantage While the flash offensive against Syria’s government began in the north, armed opposition groups have also mobilized elsewhere. The southern areas of Sweida and Daraa have both been taken locally. Sweida is the heartland of Syria’s Druze religious minority and had been the site of regular anti-government protests even after Assad seemingly consolidated his control over the area. Daraa is a Sunni Muslim area that was widely seen as the cradle of the uprising against Assad’s rule that erupted in 2011. Daraa was recaptured by Syrian government troops in 2018, but rebels remained in some areas. In recent years, Daraa was in a state of uneasy quiet under a Russian-mediated ceasefire deal. And much of Syria's east is controlled by the Syrian Democratic Forces, a Kurdish-led group backed by the United States that in the past has clashed with most other armed groups in the country. Syria’s government now controls just four of 14 provincial capitals. What’s next? Much depends on Assad’s next moves and his forces' will to fight. A commander with the insurgents, Hassan Abdul-Ghani, posted on the Telegram messaging app that opposition forces have started carrying out the “final stage” of their offensive by encircling Damascus. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said Syrian troops have withdrawn from much of the two southern provinces and are sending reinforcements to Homs. If that city is captured, the link would be cut between Damascus, Assad’s seat of power, and the coastal region where he enjoys wide support. “Homs to the coastal cities will be a very huge red line politically and socially. Politically, if this line is crossed, then we are talking about the end of the entire Syria, the one that we knew in the past,” said a Damascus resident, Anas Joudeh. Assad appears to be largely on his own as allies Russia and Iran are distracted by other conflicts and the Lebanon-based Hezbollah has been weakened by its war with Israel, now under a fragile ceasefire. The U.N. special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, is calling for urgent talks in Geneva to ensure an “orderly political transition,” saying the situation is changing by the minute. He met with foreign ministers and senior diplomats from eight key countries including Saudi Arabia, Russia, Egypt, Turkey and Iran on the sidelines of the Doha Summit. President-elect Donald Trump in his first extensive comments on the developments in Syria said the besieged Assad didn’t deserve U.S. support to stay in power. “THIS IS NOT OUR FIGHT,” Trump posted on social media.The dam at Greene Mountain Lake just south of Stanardsville in Greene County is at risk of failure. While there is no immediate threat, all residents downstream of the 60-acre lake are urged to make the necessary arrangements in the event evacuations are ordered. Greene Mountain Lake is a 60-acre lake sitting roughly a mile south of the town of Stanardsville and 23 miles north of the city of Charlottesville in Greene County. Greene County officials announced a Level 2 emergency at 3:30 p.m. Thursday. A Level 2 emergency is defined as a rapidly developing situation that may lead to significant downstream flooding if not immediately addressed. Nearby residents are encouraged to follow local media as well as official Greene County social media accounts for the latest developments. Anyone with questions is encouraged to contact Greene County Emergency Services at (434) 985-5232. Those who would like to receive emergency alerts directly from the county can register online at greenecountyva.gov/343/alerts-notifications . Greene Mountain Lake sits about a mile south of the town of Stanardsville and 23 miles north of the city of Charlottesville. It is surrounded on all sides by residential properties. Get local news delivered to your inbox!

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Former presidential aide Reno Omokri has predicted that President Bola Tinubu will be reelected again in 2027 if he emerges as the flagbearer of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Omokri said this in a six-minute video he shared on his ‘X’ page, stressing that Tinubu knows how to turn enemies into friends, using them to achieve his goals, which is instrumental for any politician. “I am so convinced that Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu will easily win in 2027, he knows how to turn his enemies into friends,” Omokri said. Omokri said those with high emotional intelligence usually understand how to navigate through enmity and turn situations in their favour. He compares the president to a past military leader, General Babaginda, who can unite their enemies. “So if you contest for a post of President, for example, only one person can win, and that means you will be president for the next four years, so come let us work together,” he said. READ ALSO: Edoho questions low standards in Omokri’s praise for fuel availability Omokri said many politicians cannot overlook people who have offended them in the past, saying such people come from a low culture. “Asiwaju comes from a well-developed culture, that is why he can overlook what happened in the past, and because of his goals focus, he uses them,” he said. The social media influencer also said having a high emotional intelligence is not just good in politics, but is necessary in daily lives and businesses, and that is why Tinubu will always excel in any aspect of life he ventures into. “This is something you have to do if you want to be successful in politics, Asiwaju has that,” he said.In Quebec, Patrick Roy is well-known for his frankness. He is not afraid to say things as they are, and that is part of what makes him so popular in the province. His career as a player and his reputation as a winner are two other factors that clearly do not hurt either. That said, this season is not going well for the Islanders, the team Roy coaches. The record of 13-15-7 is not exactly impressive, and especially, the team seems lethargic. The Roy effect from last season seems to be fading. However, that does not change the fact that Roy remains a guy who is capable of telling it like it is... and this morning, while the Islanders were practicing in front of their fans, Roy took a microphone to say a few words to the supporters present: We are not proud of how we are playing in front of you, but we will continue to work extremely hard to improve. – Patrick Roy VIDEO: #Isles coach Patrick Roy tells fans at open practice that team isn’t happy about its performance but will work extremely hard to improve. pic.twitter.com/gAs99B4deu — Nick Hirshon (@nickhirshon) December 27, 2024 It is worth noting that in the video clip above, the fans are not visible because the seats are only on one side of the ice. According to journalists on-site, there were quite a few people... and they seemed to appreciate Roy’s remarks. We know that since the beginning of the season, Roy has been at odds with the team’s GM , Lou Lamoriello. That said, he knows that his job is to get the best out of his group, and that is what he wishes to do. Because right now, it’s quite laborious. The team has only 33 points in 35 games, and by comparison, the Canadiens (who are not having an easy season) have 31 in 34 games. The difference is that the Habs are rebuilding, while the Islanders want to make the playoffs right now. We will see if actions will follow words, but it is a nice gesture from the coach to have taken the time to apologize to the fans for his team’s difficult season. And I imagine that in Montreal, this is something that fans would likely appreciate. In Brief – Martin St-Louis sticks to his recipe. – Peter Budaj practiced with the Ducks today. He is coaching with the team and was replacing John Gibson, who is sick. With John Gibson under the weather, coach Peter Budaj is on the ice in his place today #FlyTogether pic.twitter.com/ieOvc8q51L — Anaheim Ducks (@AnaheimDucks) December 27, 2024 – Kent Hughes needs to learn from what is happening in Detroit. I hope Kent Hughes is watching what’s going on with the Red Wings and Yzerman “expediting” the rebuild. Top 5 picks for the next year or 2 is the plan, not overpaying for free agents — HFTV (@HFTVSports) December 27, 2024 – Loss for the Swiss at the World Junior Championship. Tough timing for the Swiss pic.twitter.com/XJoogVaXn5 — BarDown (@BarDown) December 27, 2024 This article first appeared on Dose.ca and was syndicated with permission.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A fight broke out at midfield after Michigan stunned No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday as Wolverines players attempted to plant their flag and were met by Buckeyes who confronted them. Police had to use pepper spray to break up the players, who threw punches and shoves in the melee that overshadowed the rivalry game. Ohio State police said in a statement “multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray.” Ohio State police will investigate the fight, according to the statement. After the Ohio State players confronted their bitter rivals at midfield, defensive end Jack Sawyer grabbed the top of the Wolverines' flag and ripped it off the pole as the brawl moved toward the Michigan bench. Eventually, police officers rushed into the ugly scene. Ohio State coach Ryan Day said he understood the actions of his players. “There are some prideful guys on our team who weren't going to sit back and let that happen,” Day said. The two Ohio State players made available after the game brushed off questions about it. Michigan running back Kalel Mullings, who rushed for 116 yards and a touchdown, didn't like how the Buckeyes players involved themselves in the Wolverines' postgame celebration. He called it “classless.” “For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game," he said in an on-field interview with Fox Sports. “It’s just bad for the sport, bad for college football. But at the end of the day, you know some people got to — they got to learn how to lose, man. ... We had 60 minutes, we had four quarters, to do all that fighting.” Michigan coach Sherrone Moore said everybody needs to do better. “So much emotions on both sides," he said. "Rivalry games get heated, especially this one. It’s the biggest one in the country, so we got to handle that better.” Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here . AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-footballOpposition fighters are at Damascus' gates. Who are they and what now?