This is Northumberland Calling 23.6.23
Do you identify as a boy, girl, horse, cat or gay male hologram? Edition
Biden has decided to snub America’s closest ally and blocked the appointment of the very able Ben Wallace, the British Defence Minister to the Head of NATO. Who knows why but I think it is a mistake as Wallace is actually competent. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/06/22/ben-wallace-nato-blocked-britain-us-joe-biden/ or https://archive.is/WNsL7
After a recording which has been authenticated, Britain has discovered an epidemic of students identifying as cats, horses, dinosaurs and even in one case as a gay male hologram. The Department of Education is conducting an urgent investigation. Political leaders have pointed out that children should be identifying as children. It is the dehumanizing aspect which is troublesome. And lots of stories are slithering out. Mainly it appears to be a case of children undermining adult authority. And stories coming out get stranger by the day. Some of this will be students taking the mickey and trying for attention, and some will be students in dire need of mental health assistance, something they are not getting if people simply indulge. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/22/katharine-birbalsingh-child-identifies-hologram-move-school/ or https://archive.is/cDq59
This article gives further details on the initial story where two intrepid students recorded a teacher who attempted to brainwash them about a cat identifying student. https://thecritic.co.uk/ryes-classroom-rebels/
The MP Miriam Cates gives her reasons why she believes the new school guidance should ban all social transition. https://thecritic.co.uk/saying-no-to-school-transition/
Skullduggery at the Cambridge Student Union where the current president has had to resign after allegations of ballot box stuffing in order to help his chosen successor. The prize for the president of the Union is normally an internship at Westminster and a stepping stone to a life in politics. Some might say that the person in question was on track to go far… https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/cambridge-union-president-quits-after-vote-rigging-allegation-rvk0gpzk8 or https://archive.is/rsvcB
An RAF officer never put his balls on the bar because he is not flexible enough and his dress uniform is too tight to allow for such movement is the defence in a court martial case. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/06/22/raf-officer-testicles-on-the-bar-drunk-flexible/ or https://archive.is/C8b5y
The oldest book. First there were scrolls and then there was this new fangled thing called a codex. Researchers at the University Gratz have discovered pages for a codex dating from 260 BCE, pushing the start date for actual books back by about 500 years. But now that people know what to search for, they might find even older ‘books’ which were reused as mummy wrappings. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/oldest-book-identified-in-material-from-260bc-xr0bw56xf or https://archive.is/HE58S
The National Portrait Gallery reopened this week after a three year revamp. The Princess of Wales attended the opening ( she did art history at St Andrews) . Most importantly the captions are in plain English not woke-speak. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/national-portrait-gallery-reopening-review-magnificent-facelift-with-the-permanent-collection-at-its-centre-9qbbrxg2n or https://archive.is/n3oOj
Glastonbury is on this weekend. The big highlight for me is normally the singalong at Sunday tea time. This year it is the singer who was once known as Cat Stevens. And it will be Elton John closing on Sunday night. The weather remains hot and it is doubtful that it will rain (heavy rain and mud is often a feature). And as tickets are hard to come by, people have been tunnelling in, trying to scale the fence and in one case using the jet powered rocket…Glastonbury’s security is supposedly up to the task. And the BBC do full coverage… https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/glastonbury-2023-gatecrashers-tunnels-great-escape-q93p2qjwq or https://archive.is/detxn
Finally, I just finished Unfair Play The Battle for Women’s Sport by Sharron Davies which is about the state of women’s sports, particularly at the Olympic level. She covers the scandal of the East German women swimmers and the basic corruption which still exists as well as the science behind why sport needs to be made safe and fair before one can even start thinking about inclusion. There is a significant amount about the fight in the US to save women’s sports and it should be read by everyone who has an interest including everyone in Congress. https://www.amazon.com/Unfair-Play/dp/1800752806/ref=sr_1_1?crid=34QZIF558H9Z2&keywords=unfair+play+the+battle+for+women%27s+sport&qid=1687514045&sprefix=Unfair+Play%2Caps%2C166&sr=8-1
And this just in: Kemi Badenoch has written to the Inspector of Schools and requested a snap inspection of Rye College on grounds of violating the Equality Act and teaching contested ideas as fact. It is very much Go Kemi! https://twitter.com/FamEdTrust/status/1672183630041423872
Haha! Another *great* roundup, Ma'am. And, yeah. That Max Ghose of the Cambridge Union is a boy who is marked as having everything he needs to go far in politics. Sheesh! From that article in The Critic on social transition:
"Giving a child whatever they think they want is not love. Love is wanting what is best for a child and telling them the truth even if it’s hard to hear. Love is setting boundaries that keep children safe, and then patiently and kindly enforcing them. Love is defending children against ideologies that mean them harm, even when as adults we may pay a price for doing so."
I never had any kids, but even I know this much. How is it that teachers and school administrators don't? It's impossible, but so.
I had "Unfair Play" on my list, but I highlighted it to move it up.
Thanks, Michelle, as always. For everything. Enjoy Glastonbury!