Good morning, Northumberland! I can’t say I’m sad to see the backlash over the new spin on the St. George’s cross. It sounds like more and more people are fed up with wokeness (which word my iPhone refuses to recognize on text-swiping: did you mean weekends? Woolens? Wholeness? Or incredibly, wieners?).
Btw, I read Jews Milk Goats last Shabbos. It was so charming and interesting! Thank you for highlighting it. I’ve passed on the recommendation to my Facebook Jewish women’s book club and I hope Gill sells lots of copies!
The Great Escape was one of my favorite movies of all time. I have seen it many times, own a copy and read the book (I want to say the author was Paul Brickhill?). If true, this would be such a sad ending to an already tragic, yet inspiring, story. Thanks for this tidbit, Michelle. Always enjoy your news bits.
It is a great movie. I think from reading it -- it would be impossible to prove. It is a v tragic but inspiring story.
The Masters of the Air's bit within the POW camp was interesting.
Currently the news over here is all about the Princess of Wales and her cancer diagnosis plus the disgraceful way certain people have behaved. I only hope she is given time to recover. It can't be easy for her children or indeed for William.
The chatter around the Princess of Wales has been disgusting here as well.
I think the AP’s reaction to the photo was totally inappropriate. The AP has departed from its long-stated mission of impartial journalism in favor of a prevalence for twisting and omitting facts. Its stories have a low degree of confidence among most Americans, especially among classically trained journalists. It was not necessary to embarrass her the way they did.
I have always thought the Princess a lovely, gracious and amazing representative of the British people. Those who jumped on the opportunity to pontificate on her private life should be ashamed, but I doubt they are.
I wish her success in her treatment and freedom from the opinions of morons and scolds. England is lucky to have such a warm and inimitable woman in her position.
That was in excellent and educational op-ed by Nick Timothy. Nice catch!
And that was an very interesting article about British EDI. Glad to see somebody sees the farce for what it is.
Paddy looks gorgeous, as always. And I gotta say: "Tempted by Her Forbidden Warrior" sounds really exciting. Here's to wishing You best o' luck on Your writing of the new book.
I am glad you thought the op ed by Nick Timothy was interesting. If you look at the whole thing in the context of the Ottoman Empire falling and Ataturk's reforms/secularization which did sweep the Muslim world, the pushback becomes slightly more understandable. However, it appears to have gone too far.
Badenoch is brilliant. She has been remarkably consistent on this and does know her brief.
I did get a reply from my MP re the email I sent last week about the Liz Truss bill being filibustered out.
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for contacting me about the Health and Equality Acts (Amendment) Bill that is being proposed by Liz Truss.
The Private Members’ Bill, which seeks to address specific issues in relation to transgender or gender-questioning children and to redefine the meaning of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010, was scheduled to have its second reading on Friday 15 March.
It is disappointing that MPs did not have the opportunity to debate this Bill on its scheduled date. I had been looking forward to full and free discussion on this issue of significant importance. I am concerned that Opposition members appeared to be filibustering during an earlier debate which meant that parliamentary time ran out before this Bill was called or could be debated.
More broadly, however, although there are valid and legitimate questions about the intended course of delivery for the proposed legislation, the Government does sympathise with the overarching sentiment set out in the Bill, and it is clear that biological sex exists and matters, and is committed to maintaining the safeguards that allow organisations to provide single-sex services. As you may be aware, the Government has already begun addressing these complex issues in a pragmatic and proportionate way and will continue to do so.
In October 2023, the Government announced that it will change the NHS Constitution to clarify patients’ rights to access separate and single-sex spaces in hospitals and address patient concerns about patient choice on intimate and personal care, ensuring that women have the right to access dedicated single-sex spaces.
As you may be aware, the Government has welcomed the decision by NHS England to no longer routinely prescribe puberty blockers at gender identity clinics, which will help ensure that care is based on evidence, expert clinical opinion and is in the best interest of patients. I understand that it is expected the private sector will follow suit, and if a private organisation registered with the Care Quality Commission fails to meet the conditions of its registration, then the regulator can take enforcement action.
Additionally, the Department for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, have introduced guidance, which was developed alongside experts, to support schools both in relation to transgender pupils and those who are questioning their gender. This guidance is categorical that social transition is not a neutral act, and that social transition, in practice, should be extremely rare when the appropriate safeguards are put in place and the child’s best interest taken into account. You will be reassured to know that safeguarding should always remain a priority for schools, and that they have a legal duty to protect single-sex toilet spaces and maintain safety in single-sex sports.
I would like to assure you that the Government does recognise that more can be done in this area, which is why the Minister for Women and Equalities has commissioned detailed policy and legal analysis into the meaning of sex in the Equality Act, which is underway.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours ever,
Guy Opperman
He appears to be v much (now) in the Badenoch camp.
Good morning, Northumberland! I can’t say I’m sad to see the backlash over the new spin on the St. George’s cross. It sounds like more and more people are fed up with wokeness (which word my iPhone refuses to recognize on text-swiping: did you mean weekends? Woolens? Wholeness? Or incredibly, wieners?).
Btw, I read Jews Milk Goats last Shabbos. It was so charming and interesting! Thank you for highlighting it. I’ve passed on the recommendation to my Facebook Jewish women’s book club and I hope Gill sells lots of copies!
Enjoy the spring weekend! <3
You are indeed a blessing Chana. Thank you for doing that. I thought Jews Milk Goats was completely charming.
Lol wokeness meaning wieners.
The Great Escape was one of my favorite movies of all time. I have seen it many times, own a copy and read the book (I want to say the author was Paul Brickhill?). If true, this would be such a sad ending to an already tragic, yet inspiring, story. Thanks for this tidbit, Michelle. Always enjoy your news bits.
It is a great movie. I think from reading it -- it would be impossible to prove. It is a v tragic but inspiring story.
The Masters of the Air's bit within the POW camp was interesting.
Currently the news over here is all about the Princess of Wales and her cancer diagnosis plus the disgraceful way certain people have behaved. I only hope she is given time to recover. It can't be easy for her children or indeed for William.
The chatter around the Princess of Wales has been disgusting here as well.
I think the AP’s reaction to the photo was totally inappropriate. The AP has departed from its long-stated mission of impartial journalism in favor of a prevalence for twisting and omitting facts. Its stories have a low degree of confidence among most Americans, especially among classically trained journalists. It was not necessary to embarrass her the way they did.
I have always thought the Princess a lovely, gracious and amazing representative of the British people. Those who jumped on the opportunity to pontificate on her private life should be ashamed, but I doubt they are.
I wish her success in her treatment and freedom from the opinions of morons and scolds. England is lucky to have such a warm and inimitable woman in her position.
Hello Northumberland!
That was in excellent and educational op-ed by Nick Timothy. Nice catch!
And that was an very interesting article about British EDI. Glad to see somebody sees the farce for what it is.
Paddy looks gorgeous, as always. And I gotta say: "Tempted by Her Forbidden Warrior" sounds really exciting. Here's to wishing You best o' luck on Your writing of the new book.
Thank You for all Your writing, Michelle.
I am glad you thought the op ed by Nick Timothy was interesting. If you look at the whole thing in the context of the Ottoman Empire falling and Ataturk's reforms/secularization which did sweep the Muslim world, the pushback becomes slightly more understandable. However, it appears to have gone too far.
Badenoch is brilliant. She has been remarkably consistent on this and does know her brief.
I did get a reply from my MP re the email I sent last week about the Liz Truss bill being filibustered out.
Dear Michelle,
Thank you for contacting me about the Health and Equality Acts (Amendment) Bill that is being proposed by Liz Truss.
The Private Members’ Bill, which seeks to address specific issues in relation to transgender or gender-questioning children and to redefine the meaning of “sex” in the Equality Act 2010, was scheduled to have its second reading on Friday 15 March.
It is disappointing that MPs did not have the opportunity to debate this Bill on its scheduled date. I had been looking forward to full and free discussion on this issue of significant importance. I am concerned that Opposition members appeared to be filibustering during an earlier debate which meant that parliamentary time ran out before this Bill was called or could be debated.
More broadly, however, although there are valid and legitimate questions about the intended course of delivery for the proposed legislation, the Government does sympathise with the overarching sentiment set out in the Bill, and it is clear that biological sex exists and matters, and is committed to maintaining the safeguards that allow organisations to provide single-sex services. As you may be aware, the Government has already begun addressing these complex issues in a pragmatic and proportionate way and will continue to do so.
In October 2023, the Government announced that it will change the NHS Constitution to clarify patients’ rights to access separate and single-sex spaces in hospitals and address patient concerns about patient choice on intimate and personal care, ensuring that women have the right to access dedicated single-sex spaces.
As you may be aware, the Government has welcomed the decision by NHS England to no longer routinely prescribe puberty blockers at gender identity clinics, which will help ensure that care is based on evidence, expert clinical opinion and is in the best interest of patients. I understand that it is expected the private sector will follow suit, and if a private organisation registered with the Care Quality Commission fails to meet the conditions of its registration, then the regulator can take enforcement action.
Additionally, the Department for Education and Minister for Women and Equalities, have introduced guidance, which was developed alongside experts, to support schools both in relation to transgender pupils and those who are questioning their gender. This guidance is categorical that social transition is not a neutral act, and that social transition, in practice, should be extremely rare when the appropriate safeguards are put in place and the child’s best interest taken into account. You will be reassured to know that safeguarding should always remain a priority for schools, and that they have a legal duty to protect single-sex toilet spaces and maintain safety in single-sex sports.
I would like to assure you that the Government does recognise that more can be done in this area, which is why the Minister for Women and Equalities has commissioned detailed policy and legal analysis into the meaning of sex in the Equality Act, which is underway.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Yours ever,
Guy Opperman
He appears to be v much (now) in the Badenoch camp.
Thank you for the good wishes re the writing.
Fascinating letter. You guys are so far in advance of us over here in the US.
TY for Your reply.