Monthly Archives: March 2019

What a dud university Cambridge has become!

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Having been a visiting scholar there myself, I can attest that the finest thing about the place are its buildings. As for its scholars and scholarship, just bear in mind that I was there to do research in the Keynes Archive at King’s where he had written The General Theory. But it is, after all, a university, you know, a place where scholars can meet and discuss issues of all kinds in a calm and reflective manner. Here, then, is a fine modern example of what universities have now become: University of Cambridge Cancels Jordan Peterson’s Visiting Fellowship Because He Is Not ‘Inclusive’. That is, he does not conform to the lock-step far-left views of its academics and students.

Jordan Peterson, the University of Toronto psychologist known for criticizing political correctness, announced Monday that he would be a visiting fellow at the University of Cambridge’s divinity school.

But on Wednesday, Cambridge’s administration announced that they had rescinded the invitation following a public outcry from students and professors.

“[Cambridge] is an inclusive environment and we expect all our staff and visitors to uphold our principles,” a Cambridge spokesperson told The Guardian. “There is no place here for anyone who cannot.”

Philby, Burgess, Blunt and Maclean, all no doubt in high esteem among staff and students today, but Peterson, among the greatest scholars of our generation, is not even welcome to spend time on campus where others might seek out his views, debate what he says, and deepen their own understanding.

MORE HERE: From The Spectator: Cambridge’s shameful decision to rescind Jordan Peterson’s visiting fellowship.

Why socialism cannot work in The Spectator

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I have an article in The Spectator, My Pencil Knows Best, in which I discuss my just-released publication, I, Mechanical Pencil: Why a Socialist Economy Cannot Work. If you are interested in why socialism is inevitably an economic catastrophe, this will explain why. And as I have noted in the past, the arguments are trickier than you might think.

Yet for all that, everyone who has ever looked at any of this seriously knows socialism doesn’t work. You either leave production to the market or you live in poverty. Government direction of the economy will, with certainty, kill off growth and prosperity. Yet here we are, once again: Bernie Sanders: Need To Do ‘Better Job’ Explaining How Socialism Leads to a ‘Vibrant Democracy’.

“I think what we have to do, and I will be doing it, is to do a better job maybe in explaining what we mean by socialism — democratic socialism,” Sanders told National Public Radio’s (NPR) Morning Edition on Monday. “Obviously, my right-wing colleagues here want to paint that as authoritarianism and communism and Venezuela, and that’s nonsense.”…

But despite Sanders’ new twist on an age-old and failed system of government, the presidential candidate admits the bottom line of his ideology is the redistribution of wealth, without using that specific description.

“Second of all, what it means … is that the wealthiest country in the history of the world we can provide a decent standard of living for all … people,” Sanders said. “That’s just the reality.”

“That’s not Utopian dreaming; that is a reality,” Sanders said. “Health care for all can be done, and we can save money doing it.”

“We can have a minimum wage which is a living wage, and I’m delighted to see that, you know, right now, five states already passed $15 an hour minimum wage,” Sanders said. “The House of Representatives is gonna do it.”

“We have got to do that,” Sanders said.

What an ignorant dingbat! Sadly, politicians offer socialist solutions to our economic problems because many people are themselves ignorant enough to believe not only that they can get something for nothing, but that somehow the economic system has been rigged so that they deserve to have the incomes of others diverted towards themselves. What they inevitably get instead are their own pockets picked and often a crash in the economy that surrounds them.

Every socialist running for office is a liar, either to everyone else or to themselves. If they are too ignorant to know that socialism cannot work, then they are too ignorant to be allowed to hold public office.

Identity politics at its most absurd

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Australia is by a long chalk the least racist country on the planet. People from everywhere just live here and rub on together. Maybe some tall-poppy syndrome problems, but basically our ethos is “have a go”. No one’s ethnic or racial background is a handicap to getting on in life. Always plenty of luck required, and of course talent, intelligence and the will to succeed. But no one is prevented from having a go. So I was endlessly irritated to find this story at Andrew Bolt: Turkey’s president threats to kill Australians over the Christchurch massacre. And from the Oz:

Mr Erdogan had alleged Australian Brenton Tarrant was targeting Turkey during his attack on two Christchurch mosques, and warned anti-Muslim Australians that if they visit his country they will return home in coffins like their grandfathers did after Gallipoli.

Repulsive and racist. But weird as well. And here is a reply that I find on the mark:

Labor leader Bill Shorten said Mr Erdogan’s “foolish and offensive” remarks stoked disunity and hatred. “Intemperate and regrettable remarks like this only play into the hands of those who seek to divide. They do not protect the peace and security of any nation,” Mr Shorten said.

“Many thousands of Australians and New Zealanders will shortly be heading to Turkey to commemorate the shared sacrifice of our two nations at Gallipoli, and 100 years of friendship since. It is up to all leaders of all countries to stand against hate, to demonstrate that unity makes us stronger, that hope can triumph over fear, and that love is greater than hate.”

Mr Shorten urged Turkey’s leaders to heed to words of the founder of modern Turkey, Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, inscribed at Anzac Cove: “You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace. You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears… After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”

One-twenty millionth of the Australian population carried out a vile attack on a Mosque. It was neither public policy nor supported by anyone anywhere. This is identity politics at its most absurd. It is always absurd, but this has taken the concept to its farthest and most extreme stupidity.

And then this, by a white Australian “sheila”, if you will pardon the expression: The Christchurch Shootings Should Implicate All White Australians. Her final para of a tasteless, inane piece of scumbaggery:

White Australians may not be strictly answerable for Tarrant’s crime, but we have some big questions to ask ourselves. If you’re an Australian and reading this makes you feel defensive, you should ask them now.”

The only question I have asked myself after reading her hideous rant is how did she get to be such an absolute fool?

And you can find more of the same deep analysis from Rachel Withers, for that is her name, right here.

False-flag operation?

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The audio is from New Zealand Mosque Shooting: R. Limbaugh Suggests False Flag.

One of my great interests, going all the way back to having read CIA Diary back in the 1970s, is spy craft which includes false-flag operations. Much too slick for any one person to pull off on his own, specially since he {with three unknown others] attacked two mosques and not just one. This is from the introduction to CIA Diary (1975):

In the past 25 years, the CIA has been involved in plots to overthrow governments in Iran, the Sudan, Syria, Guatemala, Ecuador, Guyana, Zaire and Ghana. In Greece, the CIA participated in bringing in the repressive regime of the colonels. In Chile, The Company spent millions to “destabilize” the Allende government and set up the military junta, which has since massacred tens of thousands of workers, students, liberals and leftists. In Indonesia in 1965, The Company was behind an even bloodier coup, the one that got rid of Sukarno and led to the slaughter of at least 500,000 and possibly 1,000,000 people. In the Dominican Republic the CIA arranged the assassination of the dictator Rafael Trujillo and later participated in the invasion that prevented the return to power of the liberal ex-president Juan Bosch. In Cuba, The Company paid for and directed the invasion that failed at the Bay of Pigs. Some time later the CIA was involved in attempts to assassinate Fidel Castro. It is difficult to believe, or comprehend, that the CIA could be involved in all these subversive activities all over the world.

Just the Deep State in action. So was Tarrant sent in as part of a false-flag operation? Of course not, as he tells you himself in his Manifesto.

Are you a part of any political groups or movements?
I am not a direct member of any organization or group, though I have donated to many nationalist groups and have interacted with many more.

Did the groups you support/are aligned with order or promote your
attack?
No. No group ordered my attack, I make the decision myself. Though I did contact the reborn Knights Templar for a blessing in support of the attack, which was given.

BTW his statement is astonishingly well written, absolutely amazing for a high school grad with no previous evidence of literary abilities. No rambling screed but an articulate well put together document that presents his case as a lawyer’s brief.

And there is this as well: New Zealand shooting suspect’s worldwide trips investigated.

The Australian accused of the deadly shooting at two mosques in New Zealand traveled around the globe, including Eastern Europe, Turkey, Pakistan and probably North Korea. Authorities in several countries are probing his trips.

Before his shooting spree left 50 worshipers dead and 40 people injured in Christchurch on Friday, Brenton Harrison Tarrant published a manifesto where the 28-year-old mentioned visiting Pakistan, North Korea, Turkey, France, Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Iceland, Argentina and many other countries. Now, some of these states are investigating what he might have done there and whether he picked up his radical ideas during his travels.

Even to North Korea and never picked up by any security agency! That is truly travelling below the radar, unless, of course, the radar had in this case been turned off.

AOC: a hired actress with socialist handlers

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12

I have put this up before but think of this as one of the creepiest stories I know. It was listed #3 among 12 HUGE Bombshells in One Week – But, “Nothing’s Happening?”

#3 Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez: A Hired Actress with Socialist Handlers
Mr. Reagan, published a video on social media, breaking down how Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was one of many actresses auditioning for ‘Justice Democrats’ – an organization that recruits actresses to run for political positions, so they can fulfill their agenda. Titled ‘The Real Brains Behind Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,’ he reveals that Justice Democrats held auditions in 2017 for potential congressional candidates they wanted to run on their platform. They put out a casting call in 2016 and AOC’s brother submitted her for the “nomination”.

Alexandra Rojas, Executive Director for Justice Democrats conveyed that “they had received over 10,000 nominations, and out of those, they found Alexandria.” They don’t even try to hide this. AOC has no political background whatsoever. So, who’s running the show and pulling the strings for her social media platforms, interviews, and documents being drafted up?

AOC is a puppet congresswoman with dangerous handlers including Saikat Chakrabarti, and the mastermind behind it all – Cenk Uygur. This video is packed full of evidence, and anyone who has followed AOC can easily make these connections. Her staff has an extremely socialist agenda.

This video spread like wildfire, reaching over 1.5 million views in under a week, as well as mainstream news. This is a MUST WATCH:

AOC’s chief of staff Saikat Chakrabarti saw this video for himself and responded in a twitter thread, claiming that AOC writes her own speeches, controls her own social media, isn’t coached, and is a very intelligent woman who can talk about policy issues in depth for hours because “she really knows what she’s talking about.”

As Chakrabarti makes these claims, he is facing an FEC complaint filed against him alleging that he funneled nearly $1 million in contributions from political action committees that he established to private companies that he also controlled.

The other eleven are also worth paying attention to.

It feels like a Jeffrey Archer novel

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New Zealand shooting suspect’s worldwide trips investigated.

The Australian accused of the deadly shooting at two mosques in New Zealand traveled around the globe, including Eastern Europe, Turkey, Pakistan and probably North Korea. Authorities in several countries are probing his trips.

Before his shooting spree left 50 worshipers dead and 40 people injured in Christchurch on Friday, Brenton Harrison Tarrant published a manifesto where the 28-year-old mentioned visiting Pakistan, North Korea, Turkey, France, Poland, Bulgaria, Ukraine, Iceland, Argentina and many other countries. Now, some of these states are investigating what he might have done there and whether he picked up his radical ideas during his travels.

Even to North Korea and never picked up by any security agency! That is truly travelling below the radar, unless, of course, the radar had in this case been turned off.

And how professional and lethal it all was in spite of this:

It’s not clear if Tarrant was looking for a target during his travels and why Christchurch mosque eventually became the venue of the attack. New Zealand Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern said that the gunman stayed in the country for “sporadic periods of time.” He wasn’t a resident of Christchurch when the massacre took place, being “based in Dunedin,” she added.

And while in Dunedin:

The post, from November 2017, talks about members of the rifle club and how “one in particular had me really worried”.

News.com.au has confirmed the man being referred to is Brenton Tarrant.

It reads: “He was complaining about skateboarding kids at the uni saying if they can carry their boards then he should be allowed to carry a gun.”

A Facebook respondent in the same forum replied, “I’d make a call to the arms officer the guy sounds like a fruit loop”.

The hunter updated the post on Saturday, saying, “I’d warned the police about the rifle club where he trained … un f***ing believable.”

Unbelievable indeed. There were also supposedly four murderers. Who were the other three? Have not heard a word about them. And was he sent on behalf of some other organisation. Absolutely not, as he had the presence of mind to ensure us in his documental screed.

Are you a part of any political groups or movements?
I am not a direct member of any organization or group, though I have
donated to many nationalist groups and have interacted with many more.

Did the groups you support/are aligned with order or promote your
attack?
No.No group ordered my attack, I make the decision myself. Though I
did contact the reborn Knights Templar for a blessing in support of the
attack, which was given.

What more evidence would you need that he acted absolutely alone than that? He even specifically and emphatically denies that it was a false-flag operation so how can you now doubt that he acted absolutely alone and with no outside help?

Compare and contrast Jeffery Archer’s The Eleventh Commandment always bearing in mind that truth is stranger than fiction.

Clueless lambs in a world of wolves

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Let me begin with one of my favourite quotes from JS Mill. Only useful if the aim is to discover the truth to the extent that truth can ever be known. It is not for those whose aim is to grab hold of some emotionally satisfying intellectual crutch and then hang on for dear life. This is what should be taught to all students (and their teachers).

“He who knows only his own side of the case knows little of that. His reasons may be good, and no one may have been able to refute them. But if he is equally unable to refute the reasons on the opposite side, if he does not so much as know what they are, he has no ground for preferring either opinion… Nor is it enough that he should hear the opinions of adversaries from his own teachers, presented as they state them, and accompanied by what they offer as refutations. He must be able to hear them from persons who actually believe them…he must know them in their most plausible and persuasive form.”

It actually both astonishes and terrifies me as well that not one of my friends from School and University has changed their minds on any major political issue since those times. This even includes as close a friend as I ever had who ended up a Vice President of Canada Life Insurance, but has remained a committed Marxist through it all right into the present. So when I see how warped our present batch of students are, it really does make me fear for their future. Clueless lambs they are in a world of wolves.

Craig Kelly goes into the climate lion’s den to deal with the miseducated who will never examine the other side just in case they might find out how wrong they are: CLIMATE STRIKE DEBATE: TEEN ACTIVISTS VS. POLITICIANS.

You can watch Craig’s conversation at the link. And below is a copy of his facebook page discussing these same issues. I apologise for the small print.

 

image1.jpeg

“We have abandoned the enlightenment values that built Western civilisation”

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Linked to by Rafe, but I have a more positive take. Watch it for yourself. Liked all the comments, but this one from Antipostmodernism was more complete.

Jordan Peterson would say something like this. We should focus more on our own personal development and worry less about out tribal affiliations which can represent the road to hell. Excessive tribalism is like an arms race where we fall into the trap of letting envy and resentment overwhelm our agency to shape our lives, and on a larger scale civilisation is doomed if we can’t accommodate each others needs and wants to a reasonable degree. Individualism is selfish but that’s more good than bad because it means that we have a more depoliticised environment which means less conflict. We become wise enough to blame ourselves or nature for our failures and are energised to learn and be productive. Liberal democracy and capitalism are objectively the best preconditions for us to thrive and the identity politics that has taken hold in the West is childish decadence that abandons enlightenment rationality and casts us back onto a pathway to hell as both individuals and collective humanity.

Liked this comment as well.

The White Man’s Burden is being laid down, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the end of Western Civilisation.

Custody of its values simply being handed over to Asians. Tiger mums understand well the value of Western Civilisation, and are installing its values in their children. In response, the enemies of Western Civilisation are already attacking them, e.g. “Asian privilege”. But I doubt these attacks will get very far, and that gives me hope.