Vivienne Pearson

Byron Bay

Writer at Freelance

Freelance writer, published by theage, abc, sbs, tsp and others with too-long-handles. Mastadon: @[email protected]

Articles

What to think when a cruel leader shows a likeable side?

6 days ago | thebigsmoke.com.au | Vivienne Pearson

Did the former leader of the Opposition somehow manage to add “likeable” to the list of words typically used to describe him (“cruel”, “ignorant”, “incompetent”, “gross”) after his concession speech on Saturday? Saturday night’s concession speech by now ex-Leader of the Opposition, Peter Dutton, was the first time I’ve been able to listen to him speak without wanting to throw up or hurl something at the screen (or should that be “hurl and throw something at the screen”?).
‘High alert’: Why this e-bike behaviour must stop now

2 weeks ago | news.com.au | Vivienne Pearson

OPINIONEach time I either walk or drive away from my house, I’m on high alert. Of course, this is partly looking out for regular cars and pedestrians. It’s also increasingly for the growing numbers of oversized utes, whose drivers tend to struggle with clocking speed limits and activating brake pedals.
Trump’s “King” Delusion: An Affront to the US Constitution

2 months ago | thebigsmoke.com.au | David Clarke |Vivienne Pearson |Alexandra Senter

Donald Trump’s self-declaration as “king” is fundamentally at odds with the principles of democracy, and the US must recognise the stakes. “CONGESTION PRICING IS DEAD. Manhattan, and all of New York, is SAVED. LONG LIVE THE KING!”–President Donald J. TrumpImage and caption posted to official White House social media accounts on Wednesday, 19 February, 2025 around 2:00pm Eastern Standard Time.
Poor governance equals death: Plane crash fatalities will, sadly, be the least of the US’ troubles

Feb 6, 2025 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Vivienne Pearson |David Clarke |Alexandra Senter |Gary Nunn

I’m not saying Trump’s actions directly caused the recent US air fatalities, but plane crashes will soon be the least of America’s troubles. I wouldn’t have imagined that the early deaths following the US election would be plane passengers and helicopter pilots. But I knew deaths would happen, and know that, sadly, many more will follow. That’s because Donald Trump and his unqualified sycophants are undoing government, laws and bureaucracies that were developed to stop people dying.
Trump's Actions Prove His Alignment with Project 2025

Jan 27, 2025 | thebigsmoke.com.au | David Clarke |Vivienne Pearson

Despite Trump’s purported ignorance of Project 2025, the amount of initiatives being put into place during his first week suggests otherwise. Since taking office on 20 January, 2025, President Donald Trump has taken several actions that align directly with Project 2025, a conservative policy agenda developed by The Heritage Foundation.
Trump’s second inauguration and its implications for America

Jan 20, 2025 | thebigsmoke.com.au | David Clarke |Alexandra Senter |Gary Nunn |Vivienne Pearson

With the inauguration having come and gone, what can Americans expect from Donald Trump’s second term in the White House? The past 24 hours in the United States of America have been tumultuous and surreal. In a bizarre turn of events, TikTok experienced a sudden outage, only to return with pro-Trump messaging dominating the platform.
The joy of a January jettison

Jan 17, 2025 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Vivienne Pearson

My January email jettison mightn’t compare to a total digital detox, but an email unsubscribe is a refreshing and resetting start to a year. Ah, January! A month full of fresh starts, long summer days and at least some people (especially those still of school age) on holidays. Though I’m largely giving into the new-year temptation to avoid all tasks that aren’t relaxing or essential, I’d like to share how a boring task felt like the perfect January achievement.
Koalas, roads, police

Nov 14, 2024 | echo.net.au | Vivienne Pearson

What a tragic situation you found yourself in, Louise Andrews (Koala letter, Echo November 6) as the police decided to pull you up for travelling at a safe speed for koalas rather than going after the aggressive speeding hoon. As an opinion writer, I’ve always said that a good ‘Letter to the Editor’ is the equivalent of a mini-opinion piece. Now I know that a well-written letter can also be an encapsulation of everything that’s wrong with our world.
The gay men who helped elect Trump

Nov 13, 2024 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Gary Nunn |Matthew Reddin |Rebecca Reid |Vivienne Pearson

In the lead up to the 2024 presidential election, I interviewed the influential gay men who were crucial in securing a second Trump victory. Why on earth would any sane gay person vote for Donald Trump? In the buildup to the election, I found out exactly why. I’d hear this question a lot, and sometimes share the baffled tone. Yet, I also knew there was a cohort of people like me – gay men – who didn’t only vote for him. They endorsed and campaigned for him.
Why Trump won: Democrats not being "the other guy" is no longer enough

Nov 10, 2024 | thebigsmoke.com.au | Rebecca Reid |Vivienne Pearson |Deb Turney |Marylyn Sendah

Trump knocked the Democrats out of office by tapping into the narrative of how Americans feel. Now history will get the chance to judge him. It’s a funny and weird thing watching the leaders of the herd mentality at work. Usually a band of overhyped celebrities who come out of their pampered bubbles to engage with the great unwashed, this time it was not to tell them about their new movie, album or tour but how they should go about living their comparatively miserable lives.