On Wednesday afternoon I checked in with the great John Oakley at Toronto's Global News Radio 640. The main topics of discussion were free speech, the need for so-called conservative parties to stand by their candidates, plus S&M south of the border and corporal punishment north of the border. Click below to listen:
John was kind enough to mention my being honored with the very first George Jonas Freedom Award by Canada's Justice Centre for Constitutional Freedoms. I miss George's insight and wit and moral clarity, and do not, by any means, consider myself any kind of adequate substitute. Nevertheless, it's a great honor and distinction to be given this award, and the big beano on June 15th in Toronto should be a splendid night. It's at the Eglinton Grand, and if you're in Southern Ontario or even Buffalo (it's a zippy 90 minutes up the QEW) I look forward to seeing you there. You can find more information here.
Speaking of Tory parties sticking with candidates who come under fire, Jonathon Van Maren notes the appalling attacks on Andrew Lawton, who's standing in London, Ontario. Londoners already know him well:
Anyone who has met Andrew will tell you that he is a wonderful, fun-loving guy without a mean bone in his body. He's had everybody on his radio show—Stephen Harper, Justin Trudeau, and even Premier Kathleen Wynne has dropped by a few times. They all seemed to have a good time chatting with him.
He has indeed "had everybody on his radio show", but Harper, Trudeau, Wynne doesn't begin to do justice to it. How about Florence Henderson, William Shatner, Maya Angelou, Alan Thicke? All of whom also "seemed to have a good time" on "The Andrew Lawton Show". Can't get more mainstream than Captain Kirk and Carol Brady, right? Wrong:
One news outlet actually published these lines, courtesy of a delusional man named Nawaz Tahir, the chair of a London Muslim advocacy group called Hikma: "In 2016, Lawton published an op-ed for the Toronto Sun which Tahir said praises a controversial book America Alone that called for the ethnic cleansing of Muslims. 'Not only did he praise the book, but he went further and suggested that the author, the infamous Mark Steyn, should get a Nobel Peace Prize for this work,' said Tahir. 'It is incomprehensible how someone that praises a call for ethnic cleansing could be hand-picked by someone who wants to be the leader of this province.'"
This is just malevolent and slanderous garbage. To claim that Mark Steyn's America Alone calls for ethnic cleansing is a defamation that Mr. Steyn should consider taking legal action over, and indicates that the person making the claim did not read the book (I've read it a couple of times), is almost entirely illiterate, or is attempting to twist words out of context in order to smear someone for political purposes. In this case, it appears to be the latter. Andrew can get hammered over a few jokes or unpopular opinions—but his opponents can falsely accuse an author of advocating for ethnic cleansing and apparently get away with it. That, in my opinion, is disgusting.
But we live in disgusting times, in which too many "mainstream" journalists are content to be sock-puppets for any mouthy grievance-monger minded to stick his arm up their butts. In this case, the brain-dead reporter who regurgitated Nawaz Tahir's slander is called Kirk Dickinson, who appears to be not a reporter but simply a stenographer for Mr Tahir. America Alone was a Number One bestseller in Canada, and was read and recommended by President Bush and many prominent Republicans (Mitt Romney) and Democrats (Joe Lieberman) alike. So, no matter how "controversial" it might seem to Nawaz Tahir, it's more "mainstream" than, say, the unreadable sludge of Kirk Dickinson. I'm not usually minded to sue, but the charge that one has "called for the ethnic cleansing of Muslims" is sufficiently damaging to one's life expectancy to give one pause.
~If you enjoy me on the radio, I'll be back with, I believe, two audio specials this weekend. On the other hand, if you're one of that small, brave band who prefer me on camera, I'll be on the telly tomorrow, Thursday, south of the border with Tucker Carlson live coast to coast across America on Fox News.
The Mark Steyn Club is celebrating its first anniversary, and, if you're finally getting round to maybe considering perhaps becoming a member at some point in the course of this second year, please see here - and don't forget our limited-time Gift Membership. In this birthday week, we are grateful for the support of all our friends around the world - from London, Ontario to London, England, via Longueuil, Londonderry, and Long Beach - and look forward to welcoming many more in the years ahead.
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Okay, this is off topic but short.
On The White House YouTube channel there a current video.
"President Trump and Vice President Pence Welcome the Secretary of State and Three American Returnees"
There's an excellent comment that sums things up nicely. I had to pass it along as I'm still laughing about it.
"This president solved North Korea and stl (sic) no wall. Tells you its tougher to make a deal with the Democrats than a dictator."
So true Tom!
Mark, I don't know if you got our message about Isam Zaiem: he is back! On July 21 he will be spreading muslim propaganda at the Sandusky Library: Legacy Of Race and Ethnicity in Ohio: Being a Muslim in America (scroll down to read it: www.sandusky.lib.oh.us/adult_programs/programs.php). We're trying to get local people to act, but despite everything we explained, they don't seem to understand the danger. Can you help us?
This is off-topic everyone, it's about the Inaugural Steyn Club Cruise. I'm looking for a room-mate, as my husband is working and unable to come with me. I'm a Canuck from B.C. and reasonably well-behaved. I'm an avid gardener, Grandmother, Conservative, retired Lab Tech. I can only afford the Ocean-View Stateroom. If anyone wants a room-mate let me know.
Kate or Denyse, Fran? We could have pillow-fights over the topics we disagree on....although we agree on most topics:)) Hopefully there is somebody adventurous enough to room with a stranger but a Kindred Spirit!
Holly
Not sure whether my schedule will fit with cruise dates, Holly, but pillow fights had me laughing for the last 5 minutes! You sound pretty safe (apart from the right-wing views)— perhaps Laura Rosen Cohen can put you in touch with kindred SteynFrau to room with.
Thanks Kate:))
Sounds like fun, Holly. Pillow fights! Haven't had a pillow fight in half a century! Garden talk! Yes! Moi aussi! I'll have to make.a 3-D scan of myself though and send that one to be with the pee wees out on our first mullti-generational family Hawaiian fling happening at same time. If there's a second cruise to Vancouver, Victoria and ports in Alaska, definitely, will take you up on it as my husband gets sea sick. Well, maybe you were referring to Fran Meaney, the other Fran? Do you think the cruise will toast S'mores around some fire pits along the decks? Also, Feline Groovy sing alongs? That would be enough to make me check out of my family vacay early. I'm sick to my stomach I'll miss this. I was meant to be on that ship.
Just watch out for the U-boats crewed by Merkel's migrants. They will be after Steyner's Liner so get it in a convoy. You will need at least 4 corvette's.
I would of loved to of gone but already booked on holiday this year. Hope you all have a great time.
Las Vegas next year !
Holly you sound awesome. I'm sure you'll be a great room-mate and I laughed at your 'reasonably well-behaved' description. HAHAHA. I see below that Diane from the UK (below) booked already, but it doesn't say if she's looking for a bunkie.
Kate, that's funny. I'd love to be the Julie McCoy of the SS Steyn. But if I'm gonna do it, I need the full uniform and especially the clip board.
Steyner's Liner, that's good!
I was definitely referring to you Fran:)) A real bummer you already have a vacation planned, but your "first multi-generational family Hawaiian fling sounds absolutely wonderful, not to be missed!:)) As you say, maybe we can hook up for a future Steyner Liner! I don't know if the Club will toast s'mores, but probably will roast a few Lefty Progressives. And I'm sure Feline Groovy songs will be on the sing-along list. You definitely are meant to be on Steyn Cruises, but there will be more, don't worry:))
Ha Ha Ray! Don't think we need to watch for u-boats crewed by Merkels Migrants, maybe their dinghys or Pirate ships:)) The SS Katz with its motley crew could be lurking though.....Sorry you can't make the Cruise this time, but as I said to Fran, there will be more; but you and Fran will definitely be missed. In this age of technology, I'm sure you'll be sent many videos, hopefully not of me being sea-sick over the ship railing. Or maybe "What happens on Steyne Club Cruises, Stays on Steyn Club Cruises; unless you want to share future Los Vegas shenanagans:))
Thanks for the kind words Laura. Maybe Diane will see my comment and reply, I didn't want to pressure her. Hopefully somebody wants a room-mate; I'd hate to have to be a stow-away:)) !
Ahhh:)) I would take a cruise anywhere in the world, come to think of it, Holly, not just BC and Alaska, just as long as it's a Steyner Liner.
Ditto:)))
Enough of fake news, Kirk! What about that centuries-old best seller endorsed by Tahir's co-religionists, explicitly calling for the killing of non-believers in general, and the ethnic cleansing of Jews in particular? Maybe try being an actual journalist and turn your attention to the slow-motion Kristallnacht replay of the 21st century.
Mark writes, "But we live in disgusting times, in which too many "mainstream" journalists are content to be sock-puppets for any mouthy grievance-monger minded to stick his arm up their butts."
It's really a matter of survival for them.
The internet meant, among other things, that no one needs the traditional media anymore except to confirm their prejudices. So traditional media attract people who cater for the progressive prejudices that they have always favoured. *They have no other duty now.*
Younger readers, who seldom look up from their handhelds when on the bus, don't remember the early 1970s. I had to go out and buy a newspaper to find out the weather or sports scores or who won the by-election. Or else I had to wait till a certain quarter hour when the information would be broadcast on radio or TV. Now, it's all only a click away and I can save it and disseminate it for free. Plus, I can read the South China Morning Post's view of any local question it cares to address.
It takes a while to turn a big ship around so many people still do not understand that what the Toronto Star editorial board thinks does not matter anymore. For a while, people will continue to act as if it does. That's too bad.
Canadian media are looking for government bailouts, so as to become like the government broadcaster, the CBC. They can go on fronting progressive propaganda that no one is actually listening to. And I predict that they will become a powerful lobby against the news that people do want to hear. That follows naturally from their position.
Yep. Well said.
" Tone is important. Just saying the things he says is, in fact, an important contribution."
Yes, this is where it's much more difficult to be a writer, particularly a good, witty and controversial one, such as Mark. No one can hear your tone of voice and has to read with their own tone, which can be often quite a different thing altogether. Tone changes meaning far more than one might expect.
My daughter gave a graduation speech which, when she previewed it for the speech panel, came across to them as a bit angry. She asked me, "How do I give the speech and make sure it doesn't come across as angry?" I responded, "You smile while you're speaking." You can't sound angry when you're smiling. She smiled and the speech was a bit hit.
But no one can see you smiling when you're writing, unless perhaps in the moments when there is obviously something to laugh about as one reads. Mark is extremely clever in his writings (as we all know), but even he gets misunderstood, whether by innocence or by deliberate design. It makes authors so much more targeted for criticism, therefore.
On John Oakley you reminded us that an MP is merely a servant (7:30) on.
I'd like to give a plug to the late Royal Galipeau, former MP for Orleans, who described himself thus, and really meant it.
One more observation:
Van Maren writes:
"Andrew Lawton is not a racist, or a "homophobe," or a "phobe" of any kind, for that matter."
Again, so what if he were? These words no longer have any set-in-stone meaning that a normal human being would recognize.
As Dennis Prager has noted, "'Racism' now simply means 'daring to talk about race'" -- for example, musing about black on black crime, or noticing any cultural differences between groups at all.
"Homophobia" as I understand means (at least this week, so far) "daring to criticize or make fun of anything gay people do."
I am, quite proudly, many kinds of "-phobe," as that suffix is currently defined by the elites.
Anyone who is not, or claims not to be, is lying, or possibly comatose.
The very fact that anyone on the "right" even _accepts_ these and other false premises of the Left, and proceeds to fold them into the rest of their argument, is far more troubling than anybody's long ago jokes.
"These words no longer have any set-in-stone meaning..."
That is quite a statement, and acknowledges that the state is willing to override the dictionary. In the UK, the Metropolitan Police comes right out and makes crystal-clear that the individual is completely subject to a whim of accuser and state on its website, under "What is hate crime?":
"Evidence of the hate element is not a requirement. You do not need to personally perceive the incident to be hate related. It would be enough if another person, a witness or even a police officer thought that the incident was hate related."
Kathy, I logged in a second ago to cheer your first comment, but this one is just as poignant. So many buzzwords have ceased to have any real meaning. At the risk of it becoming cliche, I think it's one of the larger reasons why Trump was elected.
Thanks Rich. And I agree with you re: Trump. I still have reservations about him (even though I cried with relief on election night) but he is at his best when he just tells people who deserve it to get knotted.
Mark replies:
Agreed, Kathy. Tone is important. Just saying the things he says is, in fact, an important contribution.
Agreed. That's what I like best about Trump - he calls a spade a spade. And I think his straight non- politically-correct style of communication is why he got elected, despite his blunt way of putting things; and his defiance in the face of " the false premises of the Left" as Kathy Shaidle puts it.
Kathy - That's a brilliant and very original point you've made. These days it takes very little to shut down and silence timid conservatives. These 'phobe' attacks have been hugely successful in tamping down honest debate about the gay movement and especially effective in silencing critics of Islam. Robert Spencer, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Pam Geller and the like rarely appear on Fox these days and any open debate on this religion and it's ultimate goal has pretty much vanished altogether in the media. Few conservatives dare to even speak out about transgenderism as our school children are being brainwashed that they can choose their gender and even their race. This shaming of any ideas they dislike works beautifully for them and with spineless conservatives quickly scurrying away like frightened mice at the first sign of an attack it seems like a very sound strategy. Case in point - Laura Ingram along with Fox caving in and forced to grovel an apology to that nasty vulgar Florida high school kid whom she dared criticize in a tweet. Shameful but par for the course.
... the charge that one has "called for the ethnic cleansing of Muslims" is sufficiently damaging to one's life expectancy to give one pause.> Brilliantly put.
The otherwise outstanding article by Jonathon Van Maren, defending Andrew Lawton, was indeed worth reading, and quoting at length.
But:
A single word he employs gives me pause, and rather mars the entire effort. He describes some of Andrew's "jokes from a few years ago" as "ill-advised."
This is an arresting and perhaps accidentally revealing choice of adjective.
What is an "ill-advised" joke? Well, I know, actually: The word suggests one that one's betters might not approve of said joke, and that one's inferiors may not "get" it (or pretend not to), and which all in all could cause problems down the road.
Which indeed these have. But that's not the point.
I am no unadulterated Andrew Breitbart fangirl. His treatment of Shirley Shirrod was inexcusable, for one thing. However, his preferred response to these sorts of attacks was: "So what?"
I've reviewed the offending tweets and comments (if only because it was repeatedly brought to my attention that I co-star in some of the screenshotted Twitter threads now wending their way around Canadian media.)
In these, Andrew points out, in a fashion that would not have been the least bit out of place in a comedy club as recently as, I dunno, 2005, that promiscuous sex increases one's chances of getting AIDS; that Canada fetishes the Montreal Massacre to a bizarre and mendacious extent; that burqas are ugly and unfeminist; and other things that would make most sane, normal people laugh or at least say, "Well, duh!"
And left unexplored in this article is the even more troubling implication of Andrew's assertion that his mental health issues are reflected in many of these "ill-advised" jokes, and that at the time he made them, he was going through a "reckless" stage and not in his right mind.
An interesting phrase in itself, that, including as it does the word "right." Because as I say, these "offending" comments that are now receiving so much attention reflect views that many "right wing" people reading this website would find agreeable, and amusingly so.
Now, I am the first to admit that, as a lightly medicated, agoraphobic, recovering alcoholic Aspy, I am not a poster child for sanity. But frankly, the most NON-insane things about me are any of my deeply held and well-considered political views that counter the prevailing p.c. "progressive" "wisdom."
So if jokes like the ones causing all the fuss are now to be considered evidence of mental illness; hopefully forgiveable lapses in judgement unbecoming of a political candidate; "ill-advised"...
Where does that leave the rest of us?
"that burqas are ugly and unfeminist"
In this discussion the "unfeminist" stuff is a distraction, unless you're laughing at feminists.
The best argument for banning the burqa is one based on Mark's own observations. In an increasing number of European cities, once a critical mass of Muslims is reached in a certain quarter, EVERY woman, whether Muslim or not, has to cover up, or risk serious hounding, from gangs of unemployable youth enforcers.
Add that to the constant drumbeat of preaching that women who do not cover up are sluts and whores, and you've got rather an ...er ... Interesting situation.
Banning the burqa/niqab/hijab could easily be justified under the Charter on those grounds, if lawyers actually wanted to win the case.
That argument often tips a few fence-sitters.
Mark, you've been raising this issue on and off for years, with numerous examples of women personally known to you. Any chance of putting together a compilation of examples?
Thanks in advance!
To answer your question. Kathy, when the bleeding hearts rule the world and their inner Mr. Hydes are free to operate in daylight, they will come to take us away, ha ha, to the funny farms where life is beautiful all the time. If we continue in our attempts to exercise our senses of humor and our inalienable rights while institutionalized they will lobotomize us. And when we become too expensive to house and care for they will implement their final solution which is what their inner Mr. Hydes wanted to do all along.
Exactly, David. You know, the left ARE often correct about some things, but the tragedy is, they don't realize it.
For example, they like to say "people are all the same the world over" and use this to spread/enforce their delusional program de jour: "tolerance" or misguided attempts to "help" others who either don't want their help or for which the "help" isn't a cultural fit.
And I agree: We are all the same -- in that we ALL have prejudices. Sometimes they are irrational; sometimes on the other hand these prejudices are based upon our lived experiences and/or the evidence of our senses.
However, "right wingers" simply tend to be more _honest_ about these prejudices, and about human nature in general.
"Left wingers" on the other hand stifle these observations, project them onto innocent bystanders, construct unhealthy Rube Goldbergian "contraptions" in their minds to manage them...
And they resent us because we refuse to do so.
Never get in the way of the Bleeding Heart bus when it's fully loaded and speeding toward Utopialand!
Well-said Kathy.
Thanks, Holly!
I impulsively booked Mark's cruise on Tuesday. Now slightly panicking as I have to organise flights from UK, hotel and traveling and haven't been away on my own for twelve years, and then only once. I do hope it's good!
Mark replies:
It'll be great, Diane! Don't worry 'bout a thing, nothing's gonna be alright, as the great Ralph Lockwood used to say on 98 CKGM in Montreal. And you won't be on your own, you'll be with a bunch of fellow Steyn Clubbers who'll make sure none of these duplicitous Canucks and wily Yanks put one over on you when you're ashore. Look forward to seeing you in the fall.
Thanks, Mark.
Oh, you lucky Diane. I always wanted to go see the fall colors on a cruise but this cruise happens right when I have to be on shark-watch patrol for my grandkids in Maui. That this is also the inaugural Mark Steyn Club Cruise is eating me alive. Send some comment updates while cruising, won't you? Bon voyage!
The only other time I've been on a cruise ship was a small one from Rotterdam to England, and that trip changed my tune about certainties when traveling. Some friends and I winged it through six other countries, finding hotels and hostels each time, but when we got to Cambridge, the friend-of-a-somebody who owned a boarding house turned out not to have been expecting us like we'd thought. It was graduation weekend in June and there was not one room in town. We got so desperate, we took someone's advice to go to a church, which let the homeless sleep there. They were full, and I remember my friend begging, "We'll sleep on the pews." It was not to be, so we spent a cold night huddling with jeans and t-shirts from our backpacks and doing push-ups trying to stay warm on a Cambridge University dormitory lawn. None of us slept a wink, and when the sun came up we took the first train out.
Thanks, Fran. I'll try!
I think this beats your travel tale about leaving your bike at the front of the Library of Congress and then being ushered straight out the back, then heading to Reagan National on the Metro and getting the call about a bomb being found in your bike. Being turned away because the church was full of the homeless must have been a tough pill to swallow. Was it that cold in June? Guess that was when the planet was heading towards the Ice Age.
Both of these incidents involved a train as the final mode of transport. And also a bike as the penultimate mode of transport. We were traveling around Europe with bikes. It actually wasn't all that cold in June, but it was damp and chilly. Speaking of the ice age, everyone seems to like this story told in person when I get to the part when one of my friends had a meltdown, Clark Griswold-style, against another friend. After reaching a boiling point, he finally blurted out, "You planned this. You wanted us to spend the night on the lawn," and our other friend just sat there in disbelief staring into his face saying, "I'm thinking you're out of line."
Bwa ha ha! "you planned this..." , that must have been the low point of an uncomfortable night. You are no stranger to adventure Sol; you'd be a hoot on the inaugural Club Cruise, if you go. If you're riding a bike on deck, careful where you leave it.
I have booked my tickets and am looking forward to the cruise!
Looking forward to meeting you, if I go:))
Good stuff Mr. Steyn.
I'm of the belief that Canada is over and all that remains is for the life-long citizens to realize it. With about a third of a million people immigrating here every year and almost no real oversight of who they are, plus a government that's actively encouraging people to enter the country illegally and incentivizing it further by granting them work permits, a federal police service that's employed to assist the illegal immigrants and keep citizens away from the process, the very foundations have been completely kicked out from the nation. These illegals will get pregnant or get someone pregnant then go on welfare and never be deported for 'compassionate' reasons. All of the political parties are still endorsing full throttle immigration despite all of this and the immigrant lobby blocs get stronger every year as they import more of their culture and squeeze out the locals. Official government policy at all levels is to favour anyone but old stock Canadians when it comes to jobs or government programs or even work for government contractors but those same old stock people are expected to pay the taxes to fund their replacement.
I'm optomistic about the US with the changes that President Trump is bringing, but I believe that the last chance for Canada came and went with Bernier. There are now no signs of any potential change of course on the federal level. Canada is well on its way to becoming a third world country but unlike Mexico it won't have a cohesive culture but instead a collection of imported cultures fighting over the carcass. Formerly foreign cultures have realized that there's an entire country up for grabs and that its government will help them replace the locals so they're moving fast to get as much of it as they can before it's taken by someone else.
Not sure why I'm writing this here. I mean, you literally wrote the book on the subject so it's not really news. Well it's too much tablet typing to delete now.
Is there still time for entries about the meaning behind Cary Katz's "Poker After Dark"?
Sol, I misread that earlier today as "the meaning of [the kitsch painting] Cats Playing Poker."
I need to switch over to even stronger coffee...
OT Kathy (and Mark), but when trying to access the + read more + pages on your '5 feet of fury' website, the pages never come up. I wonder if it's my browser (Chrome).
Hi Roy, this is a persistent bug. I'll address it with Dreamhost et al again. Sorry about that! Although to be honest, "read more" should really read "more of the same" in my case so you aren't necessarily missing much :-)
Thanks, Kathy. I will keep trying. By the way, you were one of my favorite Takimag contributors.
Thank you Roy. I just couldn't manage the weekly obligation due to other work demands, plus frankly I felt I'd run out of things to say. But who knows? One day I may be back!