Hello again and welcome to my Oh Mah Gawd We Are Finally In Stage Two of Reopening in Southern Ontario batch of Laura's Links. Before I hit send on this column you better believe I hit send on a text message to my hairdresser (love ya, Bev). Priorities!
Many things about this lockdown will never be forgiven or forgotten. I'll never forgive China for creating, spreading and lying about this evil virus. I'll never forget the sickening idol-worship of public health officials and the economic and psychological damage done to our economy, and, especially, to our families and loved ones. I'll never forget or forgive the arbitrary and capricious nature of the policies that were forced upon us – the masochistic nature of the lockdowns and how quickly they were politicized and weaponized.
And I will certainly never forgive western leaders like President Donald Trump and Boris Johnson for forcing me to state publicly that French President Emmanuel Macron currently has the biggest stones on the planet. I mean FRANCE! Me saying this about the President of France??? Uchhhhhhhh. You get my drift.
My unwokiest blokiest host Mark Steyn has done his utter, utter utmost over the past week to keep us all informed about the events of the day. He's not particularly happy about the current March of the Morons, about erasing our society's past, and how there is No Tea and No Sympathy around. On the plus side, it was sure nice to see him in the flesh, back on Tucker Carlson's show! Hmm. Where were we?
*ahem*
*composes self*
Right. Blah blah civilizational destruction, blah blah cancel culture, Twitter mobs, leftist terror, etc. Got it. Back on track!
Given the astonishing speed and velocity at which lives, statues and cities are being destroyed nowadays I'd like to suggest that you consider pretty much all of social media, and the internet in general, as rope. Yes, literal rope.
For the left, the rope is essentially a lifeline. If politicians or persons of the left are caught in a compromising or unpleasant light, quote or photograph, they will usually be thrown a lifeline. The mainstream media, Hollywood, and grassroots activists will throw that lifeline out if it is politically expedient and serves the left's goals. Everyone else must view social media as a very dangerous rope and a tool that is most frequently used to strangle careers, social and professional lives and economic prosperity. So use these tools and media under advisement. It's risky business. I myself was almost kicked off Facebook this week for commenting that Orthodox Jews kneeling in subservience were stupid Jews. But I can say that here: stupid Jews. And that's one of the many, many reasons why I love my cozy little In-House Jewish Mom Safe Space right here at SteynOnline so so much.
For other thoughts on current torpedoing of free speech and rioting, do check out Andrew Sullivan, who asks if there is still room for debate (answer: no). Sadly, we keep seeing what people are willing to surrender to. It's ghastly and appalling. The question that lingers is, what are you willing to fight for and how?
Now let's look back at the week that was.
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North America:
It's time to unleash the power of "no".
From Bethany Mandel: letting a child onto a playground shouldn't be a form of civil disobedience, but here we are.
The Mayor of New York City is a despicable Jew-hater, continued.
The protests, the pandemics, and the thirst for meaning.
Here's what it's like to get doxed for taking a bike ride.
Judge orders Michigan Governor Whitmer to stop terrorizing a septuagenarian barber.
Devastating: Chicago aldermen react to the riots and panic, and express sorrow; Mayor doesn't care.
Nothing to see here: Canadian minister owes seven figures worth of mortgage money to the Bank of China.
Great that the government of Canada is now investigating the government of Canada. Very helpful.
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China:
A new, shiny, awesome policy idea for China. What could possibly go wrong?
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Down Under:
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Israel and Jews:
But I thought Gaza was just like Auschwitz?
New Middle East! Talmud Torah (Jewish studies academy) opens up in Dubai.
Also in the new Middle East. Saudi analyst has some thoughts on Israel and the Palestinians.
A new Israeli startup called MINE shows you what data about you is being held on the internet, and how to get it deleted. Basically, it helps you take control of your digital footprint. Very cool and very important in this day and age.
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Middle East:
Behold, the barbarian misogynists of Iran.
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Europe:
Macron may be showing some stones at the moment, but France is still a Jew-hating sh&thole country.
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Formerly Great Britain:
First they came for the statues, and it will be people next.
We love our country, we are not right wing radicals.
Peter Hitchens: the left now controls everything. This is regime change.
Let's definitely let these folks be in charge. Right after I have lunch with Elvis.
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Humourless and Kook Left, Wokestapo and Trans:
Um, yes. This bothers me.
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Human Grace:
Thank you for the smile. Hope you also got the feelz and the happys while watching that or this and I'll see you in the comments!
It's open thread time! As always, Laura's Links serves as SteynOnline's weekly open thread, so comment away on any of the stories Laura's hand-picked for you, or other thoughts from the past week. If you want to join in on the fun, join the Mark Steyn Club, whose many perks include commenting privileges.
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28 Member Comments
Am i losing my mind? All week i have heard about this geared 2nd wave in Beijing. I flip to Johns Hopkins and see 84,494...but on April 26 (when i quit screen shorting the daily totals) China had 83,911. So is there a second waive, is this proof that China has been less than truthful all along, how is it that all the sultans of smart from Wall Street to Oxford don't point to either the subterfuge by China or the world health/media.
I feel like i am being told 2+2=5 and i need to visit the ministry of love before i lose my mind! Or should i just avoid original thought all together. Is there anyway, to take the blue pill after being taught to eat red ones since i was a child?
It's noteworthy that "anti-racists" are always anti-Semites, per the Breitbart link: "Protesters shouted antisemitic chants, including "dirty Jews," at a massive demonstration against racism in central Paris, France, on Saturday."
Who would've guessed?!
(PS. Earlier comment after Ian's has appeared elsewhere as a reply to Josh; not sure how this happened.)
Mere coincidence, silly Kate!!!
:)
I'm with you, Laura, and will never forgive the Chinese government for what they've done. There are still people who look at me when I say that with either eye rolling (conspiracy theorist, don't listen to her) or confusion (You mean it didn't jump from a bat to a human in a wet market?). Not all of this chaos is a result of what happened to George Floyd. That was the catalyst but the match waiting to light it was the frustration and anxiety of being quarantined for weeks that turned into months, watching your job and income disappear, aided by the Democrat run cities. As we've seen for years, the Dems never let a good crisis go to waste. I think George Soros coined that phrase and let them use it. If you're excited and energized by the way the world is evolving then keep voting these people into office....especially in November in America where you have the choice to get more of what you're seeing in the blue states and on social media, or you can regain the prosperity that China temporarily wiped out and restore law and order. The Big Middle Finger to both China and the Democrats.
YUGE middle finger. YUGE.
That first image under the Peter Hitchens comment of the boarded up Churchill statue reminded me of the obelisk in "2001 A Space Odyssey" Ominous and strange!
Thanks for your "never forgive or forget" comments Laura. Extremely well put. It seems a vital component of the new normal is the perpetual threat of renewed violence, whether from the state via lockdowns or from private citizen mobs. The constant tension hobbles our ability to move forward since the next "spike" in Wu Flu cases or viral police video promises only further destruction. Intimidation rules the day (see also Supreme Court, US), the only outcome possible when elected leaders and law enforcement abandon the field.
Peter Hitchens warns we should be as concerned with those statues the Left erects as well as those they destroy. Perhaps there's some hope in that, since telling us what comes after the revolution seems to baffle anyone who's asked. More likely, we'll just continue to careen along, stopping God knows where. As Mark says, nothing good can come of this.
Hi Michael, I think the media and tech monopoly are a big part of the problem. Twitter is not real life, but it is now shaping real life public policy. Censorship is a big issue as well.
Thanks for the selections Laura. I have to admit I look forward to reading them and also dread reading them. Some make me happy, some make me laugh, some infuriate me. The Peter Hitchens read mentions the inflating of the number of virus infections in England, the same thing is going on here in the USA with the media's help, of course. The numbers are going up because of massively increased testing. That idiot who "hasn't met Churchill" and doesn't know if he is racist is a classic! She should be in CHOP (in Seattle). Would love to see Tucker interview her! It sure seems the political class in Canada are under China's thumb, very concerning.
Best regards, and thanks again!
Hi Al, looking forward to and dreading being with me alternately (or sometimes at the same time) is the story of my life.
Good selections, Laura! I have the perfect plan, start at the bottom and work up. I got my weekly dose of "we can do it!" from the little boy taking his first steps and his mom's pride in his accomplishment.
This from Peter Hitchens's piece gave me extra food for thought: Sometimes I think the radical Left are more nostalgic for the British Empire than any retired Indian Army colonel ever was.
They need it, to hate it. Its utter deadness is a nuisance to them.
Not down with MINE, as the first step allows one's entire inbox to be viewed. Must be another way.
Hi Laura,
A couple of fairly obvious "early morning and just read your article" thoughts.
1. Yes the Mayor is a Jew hater yet these palpably stupid* Jews will continue to vote democrat until hell freezes over.
2. It's not just Orthodox Jews, no-one who is not an atheist should "take a knee" other than before God. If you don't believe in God then by all means prostrate yourself before whoever or whatever you like. The enormous number of pastors, bishops and I'm pretty sure a few rabbis unable to resist showing off in this way concerns me.
3. That phrase, take a knee. Did anyone seriously use it before Game of Thrones?
* I am Jewish and therefore allowed to say stupid. It can be our own "N word" even if disqus says otherwise.
Hi John. Agree with you on number 1 and number 2 and there's definitely a "showing off" element of this behaviour. Didn't read or watch Game of Thrones but the entire phrase makes me sick.
Hi Laura,
In Game of Thrones taking the knee was pretty much the central theme. Numerous characters lost their lives, most memorably by being toasted by a dragon, for refusing to do so thereby swearing allegiance to one or another contender for the throne. The phrase became such an integral part of the series that I'm convinced it has become embedded in the psyche of a whole generation.
It's ironic but the previous outbreak of taking the knee, or Tebowing as it became known, was roundly condemned by all the same people now literally falling over themselves. Strange times.
FEH.
I know we're expected to post our own thoughts at the MSC but I feel like pulling that statute down for a moment to post a quote from Stanislaw Lec:
"When smashing monuments, save the pedestals - they always come in handy."
Plinth, not pedestal, dear boy.
Way to get the point, J. If that's all you got, stuff a socle in it.
What a kick in the buttress! I didn't come here to get pillar-ied. Other dais, perhaps, but not today. I don't know if Laura approves, but pilaster.
Can't. Stop. Laughing
Thanks for the great wrap-up, Laura - I haven't yet read the longer pieces, but *the* take-home message is that link to Karlyn Borysenko: "You know why the right always loses to the left? BECAUSE YOU DON'T FIGHT".
PS. The little boy walking... what a joy!
Yah, when I saw that Tweet I was like DUH. I know the little guy with CP, just all the feeeeeeelzzzz.
I was appalled by the Australian snippet. Dumbstruck.
Apparently this was just garden-variety "bullying". (Apart from the fact that the boy and his mother were subsequently stalked by an older Muslim student: "Teen charged with threatening to kill bullied Jewish student, boy's mum." - Adam Carey, Oct 24, 2019. The Age.)
#NothingToSeeHere
I fear your next post under "Humourless and Kook Left, Wokestapo and Trans" will have to include a link to Neil Gorsuch. If you have to depend on the Supreme Court to defend your position, you already have lost the argument.
Hi David, apropos to your comment, Tucker Carlson recently included some thoughts about this in a recent monologue. He thinks that the "conservative" judges got the memo from the mob when the Kavanaugh hearings were happening. His theory is that the mob left knew they weren't going to stop the appointment, but were being used as a "hey nice life you got there, would be a shame if how you voted made something happen to it". Thus, the "conservative" judges have crumpled.
I'm a lawyer myself, around long enough to have seen this act before. A friend of mine who was a friend of Justice Kennedy's told me Kennedy used to flip off the portrait of Earl Warren hanging in the Pasadena 9th Circuit chambers when he was a judge there. Gorsuch will now have an interlude of what NR used to call "Strange New Respect" in DC. Watch for new fawning bios in the MSM. No "Kavanaughing" was needed, just lifetime swamp-dwelling and listening to your clerks. Thomas continues to think for himself, a lonely position.
Right. Strange new respect is also for dead Republicans/conservatives. Kind of reminds me of the deep/sad/mournful/prayerful respect for dead Jews at Holocaust memorials, ceremonies, etc..and how it contrasts so starkly with views about live Jews and Israel.