Good morning, Michelle! This was a fairly optimistic round-up. I’m happy to read that they’re not letting in outside agitators at the college in London, since they seem to be the source of much of the trouble here. And like JT, I appreciate your point about “conforming non-conformists.” I’ve long thought the same is true of the ROGD teen girls; at that age, you’re desperate to establish yourself as unique and different, but not SO different that you get ostracized. And hey, here’s something I can do to show my Speshul Youneekniss that’s lionized in cultural currency. If the implications for permanent damage weren’t so alarming, it would be so yawningly predictable.
When I read hubby an excerpt from your alma mater’s response, he also said it reminded him of the SA protests when he was at an extremely liberal Ivy. While I support the right of students to protest, I don’t support their right to be dumbasses who have zero idea of the facts on the ground. Karen Hunt pointed out in a Substack the other day that the students protesting the Vietnam war had a vested interest—THEY (and their friends and relatives) would be the ones drafted and sent to fight. Today’s protestors have no stake in or understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict. They’re just having a grand old time, camping out with the comfort of Wifi and DoorDash, feeling all self-righteous. “I’m helping!” No, you’re not, idiots—other than helping Americans see that the elite institutions whose degrees send people hundreds of thousands into debt, have been captured by insane leftists. God help me, I am beginning to find McCarthy a sympathetic figure. 🤣
So true. I do object to the dumb arsedness of their arguments 9how can anyone who lives in the West be pro Hamas who by their very nature despise all things Western) and the performative nature of the protest. I also think they get a thrill out of being 'edgy' when all they are being is behaving like oppressors.
I keep hoping for v bad weather. Notice no one was camping out in the depth of winter and risking frostbite.
If they really wanted to help, there are plenty of charities to volunteer for. They could see what it is like on the ground but I doubt this will happen. Far easier to be a Pally-Ally for a few weeks and then find the next cause.
McCarthy went too far and preyed on fear. He helped to create conditions of repression which was not good for the US or democracy. Far better to support the counter-subversion efforts like you are doing. In the end counter-subversion is a more effective means of stopping the rot because you are not allowing a Spiral of Silence to develop.
Oh, that’s all very true re McCarthy, of course. I was being tongue-in-cheek—but with all my recent learning about the Russian revolution and seeing the alarming parallels to the students being indoctrinated by Marxist professors has my antennae quivering.
Yes there are and indeed if you look at the rise of Nazi Germany -- they did co-opt the students first. Mao did this as well.
It is a noxious combination. Thankfully these students appear to be v performative and narcesstic. Apparently the ones at Newcastle are asking for hot water bottles etc as it is quite chilly here in the North East, particularly at night. However they feel the experience is allowing them to 'feel the pain'. <eye roll>
Most of them will and then will laugh uneasily at being reminded of their youthful folly. A few will be like the student who went down to Cuba with one of my econ profs just after the revolution. My professor saw the way the wind was blowing and returned, the student ended up being wanted by the FBI.
The real danger is poisonous fugue of anti-Semitism being fanned into something else by Iran. But it looks like Hamas are being defeated as a military force and that might give Iran some pause.
I donot believe the protesters are pro Hamas ; it is about the dead 30,000 plus dead children and women making up the bulk of the dead ! The fact is stark ; I do not adhere to male fascistic bullies whether they profess to be putting women under thumb or under fear of death - I get the sensitivites ; 500 innocent Australians blown up in Indonesia a decade or so ago - Indonesia let the guy go ! Have we got our blood back ? No it is atrocious mongrel men can do such awful acts but the indescriminate responses is why kids are protesting and to say they are supportive of Hamas is just more propaganda or born outta of a false equivalence - Many people dont trust the regime and money and land and fascism on all sides ; women and kids are not dispensible
We simply do not know how many are dead. And every innocent life lost is a tragedy.
Had Hamas put measures in place to protect the civilian population prior to or even at the start of the conflict instead of pursuing a policy of human shields the ultimate death toll within the civilian population might be a lot less. They didn't and I believe that is a basic and fundamental failing of that purported government.
I personally blame Hamas for the vast majority of the dead as they started this current phase of the conflict. They could have allowed the ordinary Gazans into the tunnels etc but did not. They should have done once they realised the Israelis were going to do what they had not done before -- namely actually go into Gaza. They also could have released all the hostages in order to spare their people more pain.
Having read Whispered in Gaza -- which is ordinary voices in Gaza pre 7 October https://www.peacecomms.org/gaza I have come to the conclusion that the ordinary Palestinians, particularly the women, are the ones who have suffered the most under the totalitarian regime. They do deserve much better.
If you want to see the latest in the humanitarian aid effort, the best place to find accurate figures is COGAT. The infrastructure repairs are not getting the coverage they should. It is also interesting to see where the bulk of the aid is coming from. https://govextra.gov.il/cogat/humanitarian-efforts/home/
I think the policies of 'containment as well as keep them divided' failed. And the one of ' we can control Sinwar even though we know he is murderous psychopath who enjoys watching people being buried alive with a teaspoon' failed. There does need to be a reckoning for that. Hopefully the ordinary Israelis will provide that reckoning much as they did with Golda Meir after the Yom Kippur War.
I also blame Iran and the way it has exported the takfiri movement, particularly using asymmetric organizations like the 3 H's (Hamas, Hazbollah and Houthi) . Much of this has been a power play. If you do not regularly read the daily updates from the Institute for the Study of War. It does make for interesting reading. https://www.understandingwar.org/
Hopefully out of this terrible dirty war, something sustainable will emerge which allow a proper two state solution to develop. But there are many players including Iran who do not want to see this happen.
And stop infantilizing the protestors - -they are adults. If they are old enough to vote, to die for their country etc, they are enough to be called adults and to take the responsibilities for their actions.
sorry I am not sure you are a little bit captured - the fact i care deeply about the murders of 2 Aussie boys and thieir American friend today in Mexico - I know 2 against a million other deaths; we feel it personally - this is emotional stuff I get it ; it is said to be related to the treachery of these Mex/ Us crime gangs - however it does not mean I can simply ignore reality or the financial causes of said corruption or tar all Mexican people or those which support fairness to poor displaced - How many deaths lookin at the many blown up - Can you know ? With a brush or a post ; history tells us that the stuff happening whilst the King and his mistress accoomodated mongrel fascists ; well we would all do well to get the joint cleaned up ! yeah - stop the mindless propaganda
And all ways of doing business(particularly government business) are flawed, but it is trying to find the least flawed. I happen to believe democracy is the least flawed but it also demands the most from its citizens, including the understanding of how systems work and why it is important for everyone who has reached adulthood to participate.
I agree and one of the bastions of our dying 2 party democracy is the free right to protest ! Well Vietnam marches were also met with batons and how'd that go ! Devo came outta the deaths and beatings of young uni protestors ; I hope each protestor is there understanding the whole history of what is supposed to be a land whereby the inhabitants were agreed to live side by side - as the movement of peoples across the world is ever contested - and share a democratic life together - I need to empathise with you and your biases too ; there are always 2 sides and I understand family and our countrymen naturally come first- Displacing and impoverishing people will create extremes and he wanted to get rid of a Court challenge to his orthodoxy too -How to overcome and make profits and powerful men secondary to women and children and support women rights ? Mm I wonder how we do that ?
I am glad you voted as well. Apparently because of the fossil fuel vote, they were v confident about winning the res 3. Marnie gave a fab speech apparently.
Ah yes... Good point about the conforming "non-conformists." And many interesting links You've provided. You're very lucky to have the NHS reassert the validity of biological sex. Nothing like that over here across the pond.
I'm sorry to hear about Your bees. Good luck on creating a new hive. And I'm overjoyed to hear the new manuscript is almost done. That's just great.
Thank you. It has been hard work by many unsung people to get where we are now. I think the tide is turning but it always could be a false dawn. There are a great many people who have invested a lot in the propelling gender ideology forward. It is why it is important for the consultations etc to be completed before Labour take over.
I've been keeping bees since 2000 and every year brings something different. You do learn patience and humility.
I am so relieved for friends who have stayed in the SoA that the res did not pass. Marnie spoke for a group of frightened Jewish authors who were dismayed at the naked anti-Semitism. She was v brave to do that and I am proud to call her a friend.
Based on your description a few issues ago, I downloaded and watched last evening Mr. Bates vs the Post Office. What a tale of corruption, abuse, corporate and governmental depravity. But also of some amazingly resourceful and unyielding individuals - especially Bates. It truly is an appalling tale of the powerful crushing the ordinary, save a rather extraordinary individual was in that mix of victims. The fools at the Post Office had a foreshadowing of the future when Bates refused to sign the accounts from the get go!.
I see that a public inquiry is ongoing. I'd appreciate updates as material developments occur. Has anyone thought to pursue Fujitsu directly for damages? They'd have made billions on a faulty system.
Many thanks. Good luck with the writing and with the dog-in-training (I've got a Golden who is happy just to be with his peeps, bark at other dogs on the TV, and roll in deer droppings out back!
And I meant to add that the Bates v PO matter so reminds me of the 2008 financial scandals with sub-prime mortgages here. No one went to jail for that, many got wealthy, and many lost much. The more things change, the more they are the same. Power begets corruption but leaves many in its wake. The human condition.
Yes I will give updates as and when. Paula Vennellis is due to give her evidence soon. Fujitsu have finally said that they will contribute (appropriately) to the damages and that they are v sorry for what happened. They were about to be forbidden from bidding for more work....
It is so rare for a tv show to really galvanize public opinion like Mr Bates v the Post Office has done. I mean the sub postmasters were all vetted before they were given the posts....but suddenly there was a huge outbreak of lawlessness...
By happenstance the other day watched some Canadian millenial woman do a sorta naff reaction to song classics ; brought it home how things never change ; corruption power and the human struggle to be free - women at the bottom
It is how things subtly alter and how the battles have to be fought over and over again. Shifting baselines if you will. The erasure of women's achievements in order to keep certain status quo interests me. For example there were more women who held licenses to print money in England at the start of the 19th century than there were women running banks in the UK at the start of the 21st century. Or that the main reason why English kings stopped consulting abbesses was down to one woman --Elfrida who want to consolidate her power as queen but whose husband had a habit falling in love with nuns. Of course, there were many men who thought it great to keep women away from power as it gave them more opportunities and move became -- oh that's how it is always going to be. Then there is the whole 'from fighting Germans to germs' thing which happened after WW2 and the rise of the corporation as opposed to family businesses thus draining women, particularly older woman of power and position.
Good morning, Michelle! This was a fairly optimistic round-up. I’m happy to read that they’re not letting in outside agitators at the college in London, since they seem to be the source of much of the trouble here. And like JT, I appreciate your point about “conforming non-conformists.” I’ve long thought the same is true of the ROGD teen girls; at that age, you’re desperate to establish yourself as unique and different, but not SO different that you get ostracized. And hey, here’s something I can do to show my Speshul Youneekniss that’s lionized in cultural currency. If the implications for permanent damage weren’t so alarming, it would be so yawningly predictable.
When I read hubby an excerpt from your alma mater’s response, he also said it reminded him of the SA protests when he was at an extremely liberal Ivy. While I support the right of students to protest, I don’t support their right to be dumbasses who have zero idea of the facts on the ground. Karen Hunt pointed out in a Substack the other day that the students protesting the Vietnam war had a vested interest—THEY (and their friends and relatives) would be the ones drafted and sent to fight. Today’s protestors have no stake in or understanding of the Israel-Palestine conflict. They’re just having a grand old time, camping out with the comfort of Wifi and DoorDash, feeling all self-righteous. “I’m helping!” No, you’re not, idiots—other than helping Americans see that the elite institutions whose degrees send people hundreds of thousands into debt, have been captured by insane leftists. God help me, I am beginning to find McCarthy a sympathetic figure. 🤣
So true. I do object to the dumb arsedness of their arguments 9how can anyone who lives in the West be pro Hamas who by their very nature despise all things Western) and the performative nature of the protest. I also think they get a thrill out of being 'edgy' when all they are being is behaving like oppressors.
I keep hoping for v bad weather. Notice no one was camping out in the depth of winter and risking frostbite.
If they really wanted to help, there are plenty of charities to volunteer for. They could see what it is like on the ground but I doubt this will happen. Far easier to be a Pally-Ally for a few weeks and then find the next cause.
McCarthy went too far and preyed on fear. He helped to create conditions of repression which was not good for the US or democracy. Far better to support the counter-subversion efforts like you are doing. In the end counter-subversion is a more effective means of stopping the rot because you are not allowing a Spiral of Silence to develop.
Oh, that’s all very true re McCarthy, of course. I was being tongue-in-cheek—but with all my recent learning about the Russian revolution and seeing the alarming parallels to the students being indoctrinated by Marxist professors has my antennae quivering.
Yes there are and indeed if you look at the rise of Nazi Germany -- they did co-opt the students first. Mao did this as well.
It is a noxious combination. Thankfully these students appear to be v performative and narcesstic. Apparently the ones at Newcastle are asking for hot water bottles etc as it is quite chilly here in the North East, particularly at night. However they feel the experience is allowing them to 'feel the pain'. <eye roll>
The upside is that they have the attention span of goldfish, so they'll move on to something else soon enough.
Most of them will and then will laugh uneasily at being reminded of their youthful folly. A few will be like the student who went down to Cuba with one of my econ profs just after the revolution. My professor saw the way the wind was blowing and returned, the student ended up being wanted by the FBI.
The real danger is poisonous fugue of anti-Semitism being fanned into something else by Iran. But it looks like Hamas are being defeated as a military force and that might give Iran some pause.
I donot believe the protesters are pro Hamas ; it is about the dead 30,000 plus dead children and women making up the bulk of the dead ! The fact is stark ; I do not adhere to male fascistic bullies whether they profess to be putting women under thumb or under fear of death - I get the sensitivites ; 500 innocent Australians blown up in Indonesia a decade or so ago - Indonesia let the guy go ! Have we got our blood back ? No it is atrocious mongrel men can do such awful acts but the indescriminate responses is why kids are protesting and to say they are supportive of Hamas is just more propaganda or born outta of a false equivalence - Many people dont trust the regime and money and land and fascism on all sides ; women and kids are not dispensible
You are quoting numbers from pro Hamas sources about the numbers of women and children dead. They have been shown to be unreliable in the extreme. For example see https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/gaza-fatality-data-has-become-completely-unreliable for where the problems lie.
We simply do not know how many are dead. And every innocent life lost is a tragedy.
Had Hamas put measures in place to protect the civilian population prior to or even at the start of the conflict instead of pursuing a policy of human shields the ultimate death toll within the civilian population might be a lot less. They didn't and I believe that is a basic and fundamental failing of that purported government.
I personally blame Hamas for the vast majority of the dead as they started this current phase of the conflict. They could have allowed the ordinary Gazans into the tunnels etc but did not. They should have done once they realised the Israelis were going to do what they had not done before -- namely actually go into Gaza. They also could have released all the hostages in order to spare their people more pain.
Having read Whispered in Gaza -- which is ordinary voices in Gaza pre 7 October https://www.peacecomms.org/gaza I have come to the conclusion that the ordinary Palestinians, particularly the women, are the ones who have suffered the most under the totalitarian regime. They do deserve much better.
If you want to see the latest in the humanitarian aid effort, the best place to find accurate figures is COGAT. The infrastructure repairs are not getting the coverage they should. It is also interesting to see where the bulk of the aid is coming from. https://govextra.gov.il/cogat/humanitarian-efforts/home/
I think the policies of 'containment as well as keep them divided' failed. And the one of ' we can control Sinwar even though we know he is murderous psychopath who enjoys watching people being buried alive with a teaspoon' failed. There does need to be a reckoning for that. Hopefully the ordinary Israelis will provide that reckoning much as they did with Golda Meir after the Yom Kippur War.
I also blame Iran and the way it has exported the takfiri movement, particularly using asymmetric organizations like the 3 H's (Hamas, Hazbollah and Houthi) . Much of this has been a power play. If you do not regularly read the daily updates from the Institute for the Study of War. It does make for interesting reading. https://www.understandingwar.org/
Iran's latest crackdown on women which started about the same time it sent the drones towards Israel should be getting greater coverage. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/03/female-iranians-spying-women-enforce-regimes-strict-rules/ or https://archive.ph/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2024/05/03/female-iranians-spying-women-enforce-regimes-strict-rules/
Hopefully out of this terrible dirty war, something sustainable will emerge which allow a proper two state solution to develop. But there are many players including Iran who do not want to see this happen.
And stop infantilizing the protestors - -they are adults. If they are old enough to vote, to die for their country etc, they are enough to be called adults and to take the responsibilities for their actions.
sorry I am not sure you are a little bit captured - the fact i care deeply about the murders of 2 Aussie boys and thieir American friend today in Mexico - I know 2 against a million other deaths; we feel it personally - this is emotional stuff I get it ; it is said to be related to the treachery of these Mex/ Us crime gangs - however it does not mean I can simply ignore reality or the financial causes of said corruption or tar all Mexican people or those which support fairness to poor displaced - How many deaths lookin at the many blown up - Can you know ? With a brush or a post ; history tells us that the stuff happening whilst the King and his mistress accoomodated mongrel fascists ; well we would all do well to get the joint cleaned up ! yeah - stop the mindless propaganda
It depends on what you mean by captured.
And all ways of doing business(particularly government business) are flawed, but it is trying to find the least flawed. I happen to believe democracy is the least flawed but it also demands the most from its citizens, including the understanding of how systems work and why it is important for everyone who has reached adulthood to participate.
I agree and one of the bastions of our dying 2 party democracy is the free right to protest ! Well Vietnam marches were also met with batons and how'd that go ! Devo came outta the deaths and beatings of young uni protestors ; I hope each protestor is there understanding the whole history of what is supposed to be a land whereby the inhabitants were agreed to live side by side - as the movement of peoples across the world is ever contested - and share a democratic life together - I need to empathise with you and your biases too ; there are always 2 sides and I understand family and our countrymen naturally come first- Displacing and impoverishing people will create extremes and he wanted to get rid of a Court challenge to his orthodoxy too -How to overcome and make profits and powerful men secondary to women and children and support women rights ? Mm I wonder how we do that ?
Thanks for writing, Michelle. The EGM vote was closer than I thought it would be and I’m glad I voted.
I am glad you voted as well. Apparently because of the fossil fuel vote, they were v confident about winning the res 3. Marnie gave a fab speech apparently.
Hello Northumberland! Good morning!
Ah yes... Good point about the conforming "non-conformists." And many interesting links You've provided. You're very lucky to have the NHS reassert the validity of biological sex. Nothing like that over here across the pond.
I'm sorry to hear about Your bees. Good luck on creating a new hive. And I'm overjoyed to hear the new manuscript is almost done. That's just great.
TY, Michelle, as always. Appreciate Your efforts.
Thank you. It has been hard work by many unsung people to get where we are now. I think the tide is turning but it always could be a false dawn. There are a great many people who have invested a lot in the propelling gender ideology forward. It is why it is important for the consultations etc to be completed before Labour take over.
I've been keeping bees since 2000 and every year brings something different. You do learn patience and humility.
I am so relieved for friends who have stayed in the SoA that the res did not pass. Marnie spoke for a group of frightened Jewish authors who were dismayed at the naked anti-Semitism. She was v brave to do that and I am proud to call her a friend.
Michelle,
Based on your description a few issues ago, I downloaded and watched last evening Mr. Bates vs the Post Office. What a tale of corruption, abuse, corporate and governmental depravity. But also of some amazingly resourceful and unyielding individuals - especially Bates. It truly is an appalling tale of the powerful crushing the ordinary, save a rather extraordinary individual was in that mix of victims. The fools at the Post Office had a foreshadowing of the future when Bates refused to sign the accounts from the get go!.
I see that a public inquiry is ongoing. I'd appreciate updates as material developments occur. Has anyone thought to pursue Fujitsu directly for damages? They'd have made billions on a faulty system.
Many thanks. Good luck with the writing and with the dog-in-training (I've got a Golden who is happy just to be with his peeps, bark at other dogs on the TV, and roll in deer droppings out back!
You asked about Fujitsu. The Sunday Times are reporting they have quietly injected £200 million in to the UK arm which gives an idea of the sort of sum they consider Fujitsu will have to pay in compensation. Fujitsu have confirmed the figure but declined to say what it is for. https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fujitsu-sets-aside-200m-as-calls-mount-for-post-office-scandal-payout-xfmwchfxh or https://archive.ph/https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/fujitsu-sets-aside-200m-as-calls-mount-for-post-office-scandal-payout-xfmwchfxh
And I meant to add that the Bates v PO matter so reminds me of the 2008 financial scandals with sub-prime mortgages here. No one went to jail for that, many got wealthy, and many lost much. The more things change, the more they are the same. Power begets corruption but leaves many in its wake. The human condition.
Yes I will give updates as and when. Paula Vennellis is due to give her evidence soon. Fujitsu have finally said that they will contribute (appropriately) to the damages and that they are v sorry for what happened. They were about to be forbidden from bidding for more work....
It is so rare for a tv show to really galvanize public opinion like Mr Bates v the Post Office has done. I mean the sub postmasters were all vetted before they were given the posts....but suddenly there was a huge outbreak of lawlessness...
Teminds of "The Who's lyric; "I wont get fooled again" ;
We'll be fighting in the streets
With our children at our feet
And the morals that they worship will be gone
And the men who spurred us on
Sit in judgment of all wrong
They decide and the shotgun sings the song
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Change, it had to come
We knew it all along
We were liberated from the fold, that's all
And the world looks just the same
And history ain't changed
'Cause the banners, they all flown in the last war
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
No, no
I'll move myself and my family aside
If we happen to be left half-alive
I'll get all my papers and smile at the sky
For I know that the hypnotized never lie
Do you?
Yeah
There's nothing in the street
Looks any different to me
And the slogans are effaced, by-the-bye
And the parting on the left
Is now the parting on the right
And the beards have all grown longer overnight
I'll tip my hat to the new Constitution
Take a bow for the new revolution
Smile and grin at the change all around
Pick up my guitar and play
Just like yesterday
Then I'll get on my knees and pray
We don't get fooled again
Don't get fooled again
No, no
Yeah
Meet the new boss
Same as the old boss
I love the Who and their music. It is a great song and the lyrics are v apt.
By happenstance the other day watched some Canadian millenial woman do a sorta naff reaction to song classics ; brought it home how things never change ; corruption power and the human struggle to be free - women at the bottom
It is how things subtly alter and how the battles have to be fought over and over again. Shifting baselines if you will. The erasure of women's achievements in order to keep certain status quo interests me. For example there were more women who held licenses to print money in England at the start of the 19th century than there were women running banks in the UK at the start of the 21st century. Or that the main reason why English kings stopped consulting abbesses was down to one woman --Elfrida who want to consolidate her power as queen but whose husband had a habit falling in love with nuns. Of course, there were many men who thought it great to keep women away from power as it gave them more opportunities and move became -- oh that's how it is always going to be. Then there is the whole 'from fighting Germans to germs' thing which happened after WW2 and the rise of the corporation as opposed to family businesses thus draining women, particularly older woman of power and position.
Doh!