lewrockwell--2020-02-29--NBC Spreads Dangerous Misinformation and Incites Harassment of a Grieving Mother

Earlier this month , NBC News ran an article titled “ On Facebook , anti-vaxxers urged a mom not to give her son Tamiflu .
He later died.
” The thrust of the piece was that social-media platforms , and Facebook in particular , provide a place where parents an others can “ …trade in false health information.
” The article hints ( and the headline practically screams ) that the ability of parents to share medical information and advice online probably led to the death of a four-year-old boy and perhaps we ought to stamp it out .
Following @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mother was subjected to online harassment and even death threats .
This is nothing new for the piece ’ s author , Brandy Zadrozny , who has made a name for herself for harassing grieving parents and others who question medical orthodoxy .
Inexplicably , Zadrozny has yet to write a piece attacking the parents of children who died after being given Tamiflu or other conventional medical treatments .
It would require more than one article to address all of the falsehoods contained in this one piece , so I will try to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ First , the article ’ s headline suggests that the boy died because members of the Facebook group convinced the mother not to give her son Tamiflu .
In fact , in her post to the group ( which is quoted in the article ) , the mother states that she did not pick up the Tamiflu her doctor had prescribed .
This was not a decision she was led to by anyone in the group , but one she had already made .
Dissolving Illusions : ... Suzanne Humphries MD , ... @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 17.17 Moreover , it is not even clear that she did not eventually give her son Tamiflu .
The mother is quoted elsewhere as saying “ ( w ) e called the doctors .
We called the hospital .
We gave them the medicine we were instructed to give .
We did everything.
” Much more significantly though , the entire article is premised on the presumption that the responsible thing to do for a child who is suffering from the flu ( or “ flu-like symptoms ” ) is to give @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who offer up “ alternative ” ( read : non-pharmaceutical ) treatments are behaving recklessly and putting lives at risk .
In fact , just the opposite is true .
In 2014 , and after spending four years trying to get the data from the companies that produce Tamiflu ( Oseltamivir ) and Relenza ( Zanamivir ) , the Cochrane Review published this comprehensive review of the actual data underlying previous studies .
According to the Cochrane Review : “ It was initially believed that NIs would reduce hospital admissions and complications of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ influenza pandemics .
However , the original evidence presented to government agencies around the world was incomplete , raising questions about the accuracy of these claims… “ …Over the last six years , following publication of the first Cochrane Reviews of oseltamivir and zanamivir , the Cochrane NI Research Group has accessed and reviewed more than 160,000 pages of regulatory documents in order to examine the full evidence picture… “ The review confirms small benefits on symptom relief , namely shortening duration of symptoms by half a day on average .
However , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ belief that use of NIs reduces hospital admission or the risk of developing confirmed pneumonia .
The evidence also suggests that there are insufficient grounds to support the use of NIs in preventing the person-to-person spread of influenza .
“ …Initially thought to reduce hospitalisations and serious complications from influenza , the review highlights that [ NIs are ] not proven to do this , and it also seems to lead to harmful effects that were not fully reported in the original publications.
” ( Bold mine . )
To be completely fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ came out soon after the Cochrane Review found a reduced mortality associated with Tamiflu use in those patients significantly affected enough to be admitted to hospital .
However it also found that “ ( T ) hese associations with reduced mortality risk were less pronounced and not significant in children.
” Meanwhile , Hoffmann La-Roche , the maker of Tamiflu , is being sued by a whistleblower for “ …misrepresenting clinical studies and falsely claiming that its well-known influenza medicine Tamiflu was effective at containing potential pandemics.
” According to the Lanier Lawfirm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s poor efficacy are the “ harmful effects …not fully reported in the original publications.
” These include potentially fatal central nervous system suppression , possible Tamiflu-induced pneumonia , and the well-publicized neuropsychiatric effects that led to the Japanese health ministry issuing a warning against the drug ’ s use in teenagers in 2007 .
Even NBC knew about this .
Indeed , there have been several reports of children and teenagers dying after having been prescribed Tamiflu .
Yet somehow , even with the known risks of the drug , and no @ @ @ @ @ @ @ children , the parents of these children have escaped NBC ’ s and Zadrozny ’ s ire .
But just because the NBC piece is completely wrong about Tamiflu , that doesn ’ t mean it is wrong about everything , right ?
After all , the article says : Surely it is irresponsible for people to recommend non-pharmaceutical flu treatments that are not “ medically recommended ” ?
As it turns out , studies back the use of all three of the treatments mentioned against infection ( two specifically for the flu @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CDC .
The claim that breastmilk can help to protect against the flu virus and other pathogens is not even controversial .
Here is what the CDC has to say on the matter ( bold mine ) : OK but what about this kooky elderberry stuff ?
Surely that must be a bunch of woo-woo hippie crackpot nonsense ?
Jabbed : How the Vaccin ... Brett Wilcox Buy New $ 19.99 A study in 2004 of 60 patients found that those who took elderberry syrup within 48 hours of the onset of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ average of 4 days earlier than did patients given a placebo syrup .
Another study , in 2009 , showed a dramatic improvement in flu symptoms in a group treated with elderberry extract as compared to a placebo group .
And last year , a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods identified some of the mechanisms of action that make elderberry extract effective against the influenza virus .
And what about thyme ?
Studies support the culinary herb ’ s properties as a potent anti-microbial agent , its ability to fight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ even superbugs .
If NBC is truly concerned about the spread of “ medical misinformation , ” then it need look no further than its own reporters .
This ill-informed hit piece not only spreads potentially dangerous misinformation–promoting the use of a drug that has dangerous side effects and that has largely been discredited for use in children–but incites mob hatred against the mother of a child who has died .
No parent grieving the loss of a child should ever be subjected to the kind of abuse that the mother who was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had to endure .
But to incite it under the pretense of promoting responsible medical decision-making , while in fact simply pushing the use of a dangerous and largely ineffective drug and maligning safer and more effective natural treatments , is nothing short of reprehensible .
The Best of Bretigne Shaffer

Earlier this month, NBC News ran an article titled “On Facebook, anti-vaxxers urged a mom not to give her son Tamiflu. He later died.” The thrust of the piece was that social-media platforms, and Facebook in particular, provide a place where parents an others can “…trade in false health information.” The article hints (and the headline practically screams) that the ability of parents to share medical information and advice online probably led to the death of a four-year-old boy and perhaps we ought to stamp it out.
Following the piece’s publication, the mother was subjected to online harassment and even death threats. This is nothing new for the piece’s author, Brandy Zadrozny, who has made a name for herself for harassing grieving parents and others who question medical orthodoxy. Inexplicably, Zadrozny has yet to write a piece attacking the parents of children who died after being given Tamiflu or other conventional medical treatments.
It would require more than one article to address all of the falsehoods contained in this one piece, so I will try to stick to the most pertinent ones:
First, the article’s headline suggests that the boy died because members of the Facebook group convinced the mother not to give her son Tamiflu. In fact, in her post to the group (which is quoted in the article), the mother states that she did not pick up the Tamiflu her doctor had prescribed. This was not a decision she was led to by anyone in the group, but one she had already made. Dissolving Illusions: ... Bystrianyk, Roman Best Price: $38.50 Buy New $21.60 (as of 11:00 UTC - Details)
Moreover, it is not even clear that she did not eventually give her son Tamiflu. The mother is quoted elsewhere as saying “(w)e called the doctors. We called the hospital. We gave them the medicine we were instructed to give. We did everything.”
Much more significantly though, the entire article is premised on the presumption that the responsible thing to do for a child who is suffering from the flu (or “flu-like symptoms”) is to give that child Tamiflu, and that those who offer up “alternative” (read: non-pharmaceutical) treatments are behaving recklessly and putting lives at risk.
In fact, just the opposite is true.
TAMIFLU FAIL
In 2014, and after spending four years trying to get the data from the companies that produce Tamiflu (Oseltamivir) and Relenza (Zanamivir), the Cochrane Review published this comprehensive review of the actual data underlying previous studies. According to the Cochrane Review:
“It was initially believed that NIs would reduce hospital admissions and complications of influenza, such as pneumonia, during influenza pandemics. However, the original evidence presented to government agencies around the world was incomplete, raising questions about the accuracy of these claims… “…Over the last six years, following publication of the first Cochrane Reviews of oseltamivir and zanamivir, the Cochrane NI Research Group has accessed and reviewed more than 160,000 pages of regulatory documents in order to examine the full evidence picture… “The review confirms small benefits on symptom relief, namely shortening duration of symptoms by half a day on average. However, there is little evidence to support any belief that use of NIs reduces hospital admission or the risk of developing confirmed pneumonia. The evidence also suggests that there are insufficient grounds to support the use of NIs in preventing the person-to-person spread of influenza. “…Initially thought to reduce hospitalisations and serious complications from influenza, the review highlights that [NIs are] not proven to do this, and it also seems to lead to harmful effects that were not fully reported in the original publications.” (Bold mine.)
To be completely fair to Tamiflu, a separate study that came out soon after the Cochrane Review found a reduced mortality associated with Tamiflu use in those patients significantly affected enough to be admitted to hospital. However it also found that “(T)hese associations with reduced mortality risk were less pronounced and not significant in children.”
Meanwhile, Hoffmann La-Roche, the maker of Tamiflu, is being sued by a whistleblower for “…misrepresenting clinical studies and falsely claiming that its well-known influenza medicine Tamiflu was effective at containing potential pandemics.”
According to the Lanier Lawfirm:
“Drug company Hoffmann-La Roche (OTCMKTS – RHHBY) bilked U.S. federal and state governments out of $1.5 billion by misrepresenting clinical studies and falsely claiming that its well-known influenza medicine Tamiflu was effective at containing potential pandemics, according to a recently unsealed whistleblower lawsuit. “The lawsuit claims the drugmaker’s scheme involved publishing misleading articles falsely stating that Tamiflu reduces complications, severity, hospitalizations, mortality and transmission of influenza. The company then used those articles to aggressively market the drug to the government for pandemic use. Relying on the supposed truthfulness of Roche’s claims, federal and state governments spent about $1.5 billion to stockpile Tamiflu to combat influenza pandemics, according to the complaint.” (Bold mine.)
Quite apart from the drug’s poor efficacy are the “harmful effects …not fully reported in the original publications.” These include potentially fatal central nervous system suppression, possible Tamiflu-induced pneumonia, and the well-publicized neuropsychiatric effects that led to the Japanese health ministry issuing a warning against the drug’s use in teenagers in 2007. Even NBC knew about this.
Indeed, there have been several reports of children and teenagers dying after having been prescribed Tamiflu. Yet somehow, even with the known risks of the drug, and no good evidence supporting any meaningful efficacy in children, the parents of these children have escaped NBC’s and Zadrozny’s ire.
CRAZY ALTERNATIVE REMEDIES
But just because the NBC piece is completely wrong about Tamiflu, that doesn’t mean it is wrong about everything, right?
After all, the article says:
“The mother also wrote that the “natural cures” she was treating all four of her children with — including peppermint oil, Vitamin C and lavender — were not working and asked the group for more advice. The advice that came in the comments included breastmilk, thyme and elderberry, none of which are medically recommended treatments for the flu.”
Surely it is irresponsible for people to recommend non-pharmaceutical flu treatments that are not “medically recommended”?
As it turns out, studies back the use of all three of the treatments mentioned against infection (two specifically for the flu) and one is explicitly recommended by the CDC.
The claim that breastmilk can help to protect against the flu virus and other pathogens is not even controversial. Here is what the CDC has to say on the matter (bold mine):
“A mother’s breast milk contains antibodies and other immunological factors that can help protect her infant from flu and is the recommended source of nutrition for the infant, even while the mother is ill.”
and:
“When an infant has flu, the mother should be encouraged to continue breastfeeding or feeding expressed breast milk to her infant. Infants who are ill need fluids to stay hydrated and breast milk is the best option.”
OK but what about this kooky elderberry stuff? Surely that must be a bunch of woo-woo hippie crackpot nonsense? Jabbed: How the Vaccin... Wilcox, Brett Best Price: $13.02 Buy New $13.05 (as of 03:50 UTC - Details)
No.
A study in 2004 of 60 patients found that those who took elderberry syrup within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms experienced relief of those symptoms an average of 4 days earlier than did patients given a placebo syrup.
Another study, in 2009, showed a dramatic improvement in flu symptoms in a group treated with elderberry extract as compared to a placebo group. And last year, a study published in the Journal of Functional Foods identified some of the mechanisms of action that make elderberry extract effective against the influenza virus.
And what about thyme?
Studies support the culinary herb’s properties as a potent anti-microbial agent, its ability to fight off bacteria, some viruses, and even superbugs.
DANGEROUS MISINFORMATION
If NBC is truly concerned about the spread of “medical misinformation,” then it need look no further than its own reporters. This ill-informed hit piece not only spreads potentially dangerous misinformation–promoting the use of a drug that has dangerous side effects and that has largely been discredited for use in children–but incites mob hatred against the mother of a child who has died.
No parent grieving the loss of a child should ever be subjected to the kind of abuse that the mother who was the target of this NBC article has had to endure. But to incite it under the pretense of promoting responsible medical decision-making, while in fact simply pushing the use of a dangerous and largely ineffective drug and maligning safer and more effective natural treatments, is nothing short of reprehensible.
The Best of Bretigne Shaffer


lewrockwell--2020-02-29--Just Raid the Taxpayers, Baby!

Just Raid the Taxpayers, Baby!

The departed Al Davis , who owned the AFL ’ s and then NFL ’ s Oakland Raiders , was famous for saying “ Just win baby.
” The Raiders are now operated by Al ’ s progeny , Mark , whose motto must be , “ Just raid the taxpayers baby.
” After the city of Oakland wouldn ’ t kowtow to Davis the younger ’ s stadium demands , Mr. Davis went east from the East Bay and found a new group of suckers in Nevada ’ s capital .
In 2016 the Nevada Legislature approved $ 750 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is now called Allegiant Stadium .
While numerous academic studies show that professional sports teams provide no stimulus to a local economy , Andy Abboud , the chief lobbyist for Las Vegas Sands , said at the time , “ But this is really about jobs , and I think at the end of the day people saw this as a fantastic economic stimulus package.
” Roger Noll , a Stanford professor emeritus in economics and former senior economist for the President ’ s Council of Economic Advisers , Noll is an expert @ @ @ @ @ @ @ NFL stadiums do not generate significant local economic growth , and the incremental tax revenue is not sufficient to cover any significant financial contribution by the city , ” explained Noll .
What Has Government Do ... Murray N. Rothbard Best Price : $ 7.04 Buy New $ 6.50 With the stadium nearing completion , the Davis organization is not done raiding .
The team ’ s latest money grab comes in Henderson , which adjoins Las Vegas .
The Raiders approached the City of Henderson to purchase a prized property for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 55-acre parcel was appraised for $ 12 million , however , the City of Henderson let it go for $ 6.05 million .
The resolution announcing the sale stated that the City Council , “ believes that the Property is an ideal location for the Headquarters and that the Headquarters will bring significant notoriety and economic investment to the City.
” So ideal , the City had to sell it for half-price ?
Henderson Mayor Debra March bubbled with excitement when the deal was imminent , saying , “ We ’ re only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comes to this proposal , but we ’ re looking to score a touchdown if this sale goes through.
” Yes Madam Mayor , a touchdown has been scored , but the Raiders are doing the scoring .
In fact , they are running up the score .
Eli Segall reported for the Las Vegas Review Journal this week , “ The Raiders have sold their Henderson headquarters for $ 191 million and leased it back , a rapid sale of a project that is still being built by a team that has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Vegas.
” Although we don ’ t know the lease rate , Chicago-based Mesirow Financial purchased the under-construction facility , which stands on 24.6 acres of the Raider property , and leased it back to the NFL team for 29 years , with seven 10-year extension options , according to the Clark County recorder .
The facility was designed to span 323,000 square feet and include indoor and outdoor fields , a gym , a sand pit and offices , city records show , reports the RJ ’ s Segall .
The Raiders @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 acres , but nothing specific .
My guess is they won ’ t be offering the property for half price .
The math on the sale-leaseback is $ 6.05 million for the land plus $ 75 million to build the facility equals $ 81.05 million in costs .
The quick profit looks to be $ 100 million and , again , the Raiders have 3o acres left to sell .
Recently , MGM sold the Bellagio Hotel for $ 4.2 billion and will lease the property back at $ 245 million in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a juicy 5.83 % CAP rate .
Juicy is relative , of course , due to central bank manipulated rates .
If the Raiders command a similar rate , they may be paying roughly $ 11 million a year in rent .
Typically , developers must widen roads to their proposed projects , however , the City of Henderson , approved a $ 300,000 contract to widen Sunridge Heights Parkway to connect with Executive Airport Drive and Bermuda Road , near the site of the practice facility and team headquarters .
The Best @ @ @

The departed Al Davis, who owned the AFL’s and then NFL’s Oakland Raiders, was famous for saying “Just win baby.” The Raiders are now operated by Al’s progeny, Mark, whose motto must be, “Just raid the taxpayers baby.”
After the city of Oakland wouldn’t kowtow to Davis the younger’s stadium demands, Mr. Davis went east from the East Bay and found a new group of suckers in Nevada’s capital. In 2016 the Nevada Legislature approved $750 million in taxpayer funds to build what is now called Allegiant Stadium.
While numerous academic studies show that professional sports teams provide no stimulus to a local economy, Andy Abboud, the chief lobbyist for Las Vegas Sands, said at the time, “But this is really about jobs, and I think at the end of the day people saw this as a fantastic economic stimulus package.”
Roger Noll, a Stanford professor emeritus in economics and former senior economist for the President’s Council of Economic Advisers, Noll is an expert on the economics of sports. “NFL stadiums do not generate significant local economic growth, and the incremental tax revenue is not sufficient to cover any significant financial contribution by the city,” explained Noll. What Has Government Do... Murray N. Rothbard Best Price: $7.04 Buy New $6.50 (as of 05:50 UTC - Details)
With the stadium nearing completion, the Davis organization is not done raiding. The team’s latest money grab comes in Henderson, which adjoins Las Vegas. The Raiders approached the City of Henderson to purchase a prized property for the team’s practice facility.
The 55-acre parcel was appraised for $12 million, however, the City of Henderson let it go for $6.05 million. The resolution announcing the sale stated that the City Council, “believes that the Property is an ideal location for the Headquarters and that the Headquarters will bring significant notoriety and economic investment to the City.” So ideal, the City had to sell it for half-price?
Henderson Mayor Debra March bubbled with excitement when the deal was imminent, saying, “We’re only on the 20 yard line when it comes to this proposal, but we’re looking to score a touchdown if this sale goes through.”
Yes Madam Mayor, a touchdown has been scored, but the Raiders are doing the scoring. In fact, they are running up the score. Eli Segall reported for the Las Vegas Review Journal this week, “The Raiders have sold their Henderson headquarters for $191 million and leased it back, a rapid sale of a project that is still being built by a team that has not yet played a game in Las Vegas.”
Although we don’t know the lease rate, Chicago-based Mesirow Financial purchased the under-construction facility, which stands on 24.6 acres of the Raider property, and leased it back to the NFL team for 29 years, with seven 10-year extension options, according to the Clark County recorder. The facility was designed to span 323,000 square feet and include indoor and outdoor fields, a gym, a sand pit and offices, city records show, reports the RJ’s Segall.
The Raiders say they have plans for the remaining 30 acres, but nothing specific. My guess is they won’t be offering the property for half price. The math on the sale-leaseback is $6.05 million for the land plus $75 million to build the facility equals $81.05 million in costs. The quick profit looks to be $100 million and, again, the Raiders have 3o acres left to sell.
Recently, MGM sold the Bellagio Hotel for $4.2 billion and will lease the property back at $245 million in the first year, which equates to a juicy 5.83% CAP rate. Juicy is relative, of course, due to central bank manipulated rates. If the Raiders command a similar rate, they may be paying roughly $11 million a year in rent.
Typically, developers must widen roads to their proposed projects, however, the City of Henderson, approved a $300,000 contract to widen Sunridge Heights Parkway to connect with Executive Airport Drive and Bermuda Road, near the site of the practice facility and team headquarters.
But, what’s $300,000 after $850 million?
Just Raid the Taxpayers Baby!
The Best of Douglas French


lewrockwell--2020-02-29--The Tiers of Woke Clowns

The Tiers of Woke Clowns

Vivek Ramaswamy is not a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant but he is a man and he did some ‘ splainin .
It ’ s not a good sign that it was necessary on the op-ed page of The Wall Street Journal .
Skepticism tends to be looked on with skepticism these days—popular culture is always ripening the harvest for confidence men .
The subject of Ramaswamy ’ s piece is another enlightened scheme for saving the world—from what we will all find out–as the vision unfolds .
This time it goes by the Newspeak name “ stakeholder capitalism.
” The term @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be raising the stakes above mere profit for shareholders .
What it looks to be saving us from , as Mr. Ramaswamy is wont to point out , is that ever-present peril to democracy known as “ one man one vote.
” A new , improved corporatocracy now has plans to look out for you–a guy with no stake in the company–just like Bill O ’ Reilly does .
What kind of fascist could have a problem with that ?
It ’ s not like the last few generations have been immune @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our broken world .
The question is , if any of them are working , who are they working for ?
People who dare to question high flying priorities—under a banner of noblesse oblige that nobody voted on–are frequently heaved to the political kitchen bin .
Anybody who can ’ t tell the difference between a CEO who stands for goodness itself , and a televangelist making the same claim , might not be employable once Mom and Pop ’ s finally get wiped out .
Where ’ s the downside of that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a CEO himself , be thinking ?
Against the Left : A Ro ... Llewellyn H Rockwell Jr Best Price : $ 13.57 Buy New $ 8.00 “ It is puzzling that stakeholder capitalism is now viewed as a liberal idea .
Many liberals who love stake-holder capitalism abhor the Supreme Court ’ s 2010 ruling in Citizen ’ s United v Federal Election Commission because it permits corporate money to influence elections and thereby implement corporations ’ values .
Stakeholder capitalism is Citizens United on steroids : It advises powerful companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ push .
Society created companies to provide goods and services that consumers want , not to push social values that only a subset of people agree with.
” The trouble with corporate “ values ” , which go above and below the bottom line , is that the process always involves depriving common people of choices .
There ’ s little doubt that a vague commodity known as “ equality ” will be topping the stakeholder agenda .
We have all learned from college that that lofty slice of cake isn ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Paul F. Campos wrote on the pages of the NYT “ If over the past three decades car prices had gone up as fast as tuition , the average new car would cost more than $ 80,000.
” Why ?
Because it seems , it is impossible to make our world more “ equal ” without bossing more and more peasants around every day .
As Campos points out : “ Interestingly , increased spending has not been going into the pockets of the typical professor .
Salaries of full-time faculty members are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they were in 1970 .
Moreover , while 45 years ago 78 percent of college and university professors were full time , today half of postsecondary faculty members are lower-paid part-time employees , meaning that the average salaries of the people who do the teaching in American higher education are actually quite a bit lower than they were in 1970 .
By contrast , a major factor driving increasing costs is the constant expansion of university administration .
According to the Department of Education data , administrative positions at colleges and universities grew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which Bloomberg reported was 10 times the rate of growth of tenured faculty positions .
Even more strikingly , an analysis by a professor at California Polytechnic University , Pomona , found that , while the total number of full-time faculty members in the C.S.U .
system grew from 11,614 to 12,019 between 1975 and 2008 , the total number of administrators grew from 3,800 to 12,183 — a 221 percent increase.
” Imagine then , how much more equal we will be by the next time tuition doubles ?
Is there @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stakeholder capitalism ” as a corporate reflection of this academic trend ?
Mencken told us : “ Whenever you hear a man speak of his love for his country , it is a sign that he expects to be paid for it.
” Do you really want to support a grandiose scheme you aren ’ t even aware of in the price of your widgets or whiskey ?
Are we supposed to believe that gushing corporate execs will be giving up mansions and Maserati ’ s to ensure widespread contentedness and social amity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more likely you ’ ll be charged top dollar to have standards you may loathe shoved down your own throat ?
Meanwhile , corporate powers ever more remote continually dilute the value they deliver .
Anyone mistaking a corporate do-gooder for a parasite might be in for a good , old fashioned doxing and de-platforming .
Stakeholder capitalists have every intention of raising the stakes of free speech so high that they are the only ones left at the microphone .
Consumers will be expected to listen…not be heard .
People obsessed with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ create new intractable castes in society .
I don ’ t trust Bill O ’ Reilly , Lloyd Blankfein , Jeff Bezos , Mark Zuckerberg or Larry Bacow to look out for me .
I ’ ll place enormously more confidence in more avenues of free expression available to the widest possible audiences .
When our material safety is at stake it ’ s our liege lords who persistently merit the utmost scrutiny .
Why is it that the ultra-equalitists always prefer arrangements the other way around ?
The Best of Tim Hartnett

Vivek Ramaswamy is not a white Anglo-Saxon Protestant but he is a man and he did some ‘splainin. It’s not a good sign that it was necessary on the op-ed page of The Wall Street Journal. Skepticism tends to be looked on with skepticism these days—popular culture is always ripening the harvest for confidence men.
The subject of Ramaswamy’s piece is another enlightened scheme for saving the world—from what we will all find out–as the vision unfolds. This time it goes by the Newspeak name “stakeholder capitalism.” The term is supposed to mean that righteous corporations will be raising the stakes above mere profit for shareholders. What it looks to be saving us from, as Mr. Ramaswamy is wont to point out, is that ever-present peril to democracy known as “one man one vote.”
A new, improved corporatocracy now has plans to look out for you–a guy with no stake in the company–just like Bill O’Reilly does. What kind of fascist could have a problem with that? It’s not like the last few generations have been immune to clandestine arrangements—engineered in opaque conclaves—to fix our broken world. The question is, if any of them are working, who are they working for? People who dare to question high flying priorities—under a banner of noblesse oblige that nobody voted on–are frequently heaved to the political kitchen bin. Anybody who can’t tell the difference between a CEO who stands for goodness itself, and a televangelist making the same claim, might not be employable once Mom and Pop’s finally get wiped out. Where’s the downside of that? What could Vivek, who is a CEO himself, be thinking? Against the Left: A Ro... Rockwell Jr, Llewellyn H Best Price: $2.85 Buy New $8.00 (as of 07:59 UTC - Details)
“It is puzzling that stakeholder capitalism is now viewed as a liberal idea. Many liberals who love stake-holder capitalism abhor the Supreme Court’s 2010 ruling in Citizen’s United v Federal Election Commission because it permits corporate money to influence elections and thereby implement corporations’ values. Stakeholder capitalism is Citizens United on steroids: It advises powerful companies to implement social goals their CEOs want to push. Society created companies to provide goods and services that consumers want, not to push social values that only a subset of people agree with.”
The trouble with corporate “values”, which go above and below the bottom line, is that the process always involves depriving common people of choices. There’s little doubt that a vague commodity known as
“equality” will be topping the stakeholder agenda. We have all learned from college that that lofty slice of cake isn’t served on the cheap. In 2015 Paul F. Campos wrote on the pages of the NYT “If over the past three decades car prices had gone up as fast as tuition, the average new car would cost more than $80,000.” Why? Because it seems, it is impossible to make our world more “equal” without bossing more and more peasants around every day. As Campos points out:
“Interestingly, increased spending has not been going into the pockets of the typical professor. Salaries of full-time faculty members are, on average, barely higher than they were in 1970. Moreover, while 45 years ago 78 percent of college and university professors were full time, today half of postsecondary faculty members are lower-paid part-time employees, meaning that the average salaries of the people who do the teaching in American higher education are actually quite a bit lower than they were in 1970.
By contrast, a major factor driving increasing costs is the constant expansion of university administration. According to the Department of Education data, administrative positions at colleges and universities grew by 60 percent between 1993 and 2009, which Bloomberg reported was 10 times the rate of growth of tenured faculty positions.
Even more strikingly, an analysis by a professor at California Polytechnic University, Pomona, found that, while the total number of full-time faculty members in the C.S.U. system grew from 11,614 to 12,019 between 1975 and 2008, the total number of administrators grew from 3,800 to 12,183 — a 221 percent increase.”
Imagine then, how much more equal we will be by the next time tuition doubles? Is there anyone naïve enough not to recognize “stakeholder capitalism” as a corporate reflection of this academic trend? Mencken told us: “Whenever you hear a man speak of his love for his country, it is a sign that he expects to be paid for it.” Do you really want to support a grandiose scheme you aren’t even aware of in the price of your widgets or whiskey? Are we supposed to believe that gushing corporate execs will be giving up mansions and Maserati’s to ensure widespread contentedness and social amity? Isn’t it all the more likely you’ll be charged top dollar to have standards you may loathe shoved down your own throat? Meanwhile, corporate powers ever more remote continually dilute the value they deliver. Anyone mistaking a corporate do-gooder for a parasite might be in for a good, old fashioned doxing and de-platforming. Stakeholder capitalists have every intention of raising the stakes of free speech so high that they are the only ones left at the microphone. Consumers will be expected to listen…not be heard.
People obsessed with equality barely ever notice how enlightened values create new intractable castes in society. I don’t trust Bill O’Reilly, Lloyd Blankfein, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg or Larry Bacow to look out for me. I’ll place enormously more confidence in more avenues of free expression available to the widest possible audiences. When our material safety is at stake it’s our liege lords who persistently merit the utmost scrutiny. Why is it that the ultra-equalitists always prefer arrangements the other way around?
The Best of Tim Hartnett


lewrockwell--2020-02-29--Coronavirus Crisis Is Trump’s Time To Lead

Not until well into the Democratic debate Tuesday night did the COVID-19 coronavirus come up , and it was Mike Bloomberg , not a CBS moderator , who raised it : “ The president fired the pandemic specialist in this country two years ago , ” the former New York mayor said .
“ There ’ s nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing .
And he ’ s defunded the CDC.
” Not 24 hours later , President Donald Trump , home from India , was in the White House briefing room , flanked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ experts , deputizing Vice President Mike Pence to head the task force to lead America ’ s battle against the spreading disease .
Yet , by Thursday noon , the Dow Jones average was down 3,000 points on the week , a 10 % plunge from its recent all-time high .
Trillions of dollars in equity value had been wiped out .
The great bull market of the Trump presidency may be history .
Though only 60 Americans are known to have been infected , and none has yet died , fear has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as the world .
Yet , as of now , the numbers don ’ t justify the emotion .
The Death of the West : ... Patrick J. Buchanan Best Price : $ 2.12 Buy New $ 12.46 The death toll as of Thursday was 2,800 , out of 82,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide .
The great majority of these are in China , where the virus originated , though the disease has spread to every continent , with Italy and South Korea the hardest hit outside of China .
Whatever happens medically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is between 2 and 3 % — it ’ s hard to see how the world averts a recession if COVID-19 is not soon contained and controlled .
Already , Democrats are piling on Trump for cutting funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and failing to reflect the seriousness of the threat .
And the issue does present a challenge to Trump ’ s presidency .
His handling of it may determine his stature as chief executive .
Yet the issue is also tailor-made for Trump .
First , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s China , not Trump ’ s USA .
Second , the president occupies what Theodore Roosevelt called the “ bully pulpit , ” the White House .
He can use that pulpit daily to command the airwaves and inform , lead , unite and direct the nation during what could be a months-long crisis .
And Trump alone has the power to declare a national emergency , should that be needed .
If Trump acts as a leader , urging unity in the struggle to contain the virus and discover a vaccine @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , already begun , can come to be seen as unpatriotic .
Also , Trump ’ s probable opponent this fall , who would be in charge of preventing the coronavirus from spreading like the Spanish Flu of 1918-19 , is Bernie Sanders .
And what are Sanders ’ credentials and plans ?
Under “ Medicare for All , ” Sanders intends to nationalize the entire U.S. heath care system and abolish the private health insurance plans of 140 million Americans who now depend on them .
As for the pharmaceutical industry , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ effort to find a cure for the coronavirus , Sanders will confiscate its profits and put those profiteers out of business .
Churchill , Hitler , and ... Patrick J. Buchanan Check Amazon for Pricing .
Still , given the alarming news coming from countries all over the globe , there is a risk that by November , the U.S. and the world may have tumbled into a recession .
Airlines are already canceling flights to and from Asia .
Cruise ships are pulling into ports and off-loading passengers .
Travel and tourism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Chinese factories that produce essential parts for factories and finished products in the U.S. , Europe and Asia are shutting down .
Supply chains are being severed .
Shortages are cropping up .
The Japanese are talking of canceling the Olympics .
If the virus spreads here , the question arises : Will our two parties still hold their nominating conventions this summer in Milwaukee and Charlotte ?
The chickens of globalization are coming home to roost .
In recent decades , America ’ s economic and political elites of both parties @ @ @ @ @ @ @ globalism , a new interdependence of nations , where we Americans no longer rely on ourselves alone for the vital necessities of our national life .
That decision is now being exposed as the folly against which Hamilton and economic nationalists always warned .
According to The Washington Post , critical ingredients of medicines and drugs , upon which many American lives depend , are made in Chinese factories now in danger of being shut down .
In the ongoing struggle between nationalism and globalism , the globalists are taking a beating .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Americans are not going to be looking to the WHO or U.N. to ensure their health , but to their own nation-states .
And if a pandemic threatens , transnationalism ’ s “ open borders ” ideology is not a policy that will bring universal acclamation .
Like Trump ’ s America , all nations , in this crisis , are going to put their own people first .
As they should .
The Best of Patrick J. Buchanan

Shop all books by Pat Buchanan
Not until well into the Democratic debate Tuesday night did the COVID-19 coronavirus come up, and it was Mike Bloomberg, not a CBS moderator, who raised it:
“The president fired the pandemic specialist in this country two years ago,” the former New York mayor said. “There’s nobody here to figure out what the hell we should be doing. And he’s defunded the CDC.”
Not 24 hours later, President Donald Trump, home from India, was in the White House briefing room, flanked by the nation’s foremost health experts, deputizing Vice President Mike Pence to head the task force to lead America’s battle against the spreading disease.
Yet, by Thursday noon, the Dow Jones average was down 3,000 points on the week, a 10% plunge from its recent all-time high.
Trillions of dollars in equity value had been wiped out. The great bull market of the Trump presidency may be history.
Though only 60 Americans are known to have been infected, and none has yet died, fear has begun to grip the nation as well as the world. Yet, as of now, the numbers don’t justify the emotion. The Death of the West:... Patrick J. Buchanan Best Price: $2.12 Buy New $12.46 (as of 06:40 UTC - Details)
The death toll as of Thursday was 2,800, out of 82,000 cases of coronavirus worldwide. The great majority of these are in China, where the virus originated, though the disease has spread to every continent, with Italy and South Korea the hardest hit outside of China.
Whatever happens medically — the mortality rate of the virus is between 2 and 3% — it’s hard to see how the world averts a recession if COVID-19 is not soon contained and controlled.
Already, Democrats are piling on Trump for cutting funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and failing to reflect the seriousness of the threat. And the issue does present a challenge to Trump’s presidency. His handling of it may determine his stature as chief executive.
Yet the issue is also tailor-made for Trump.
First, the disease comes out of Xi Jinping’s China, not Trump’s USA.
Second, the president occupies what Theodore Roosevelt called the “bully pulpit,” the White House. He can use that pulpit daily to command the airwaves and inform, lead, unite and direct the nation during what could be a months-long crisis. And Trump alone has the power to declare a national emergency, should that be needed.
If Trump acts as a leader, urging unity in the struggle to contain the virus and discover a vaccine, the hectoring from the Democratic left, already begun, can come to be seen as unpatriotic.
Also, Trump’s probable opponent this fall, who would be in charge of preventing the coronavirus from spreading like the Spanish Flu of 1918-19, is Bernie Sanders. And what are Sanders’ credentials and plans?
Under “Medicare for All,” Sanders intends to nationalize the entire U.S. heath care system and abolish the private health insurance plans of 140 million Americans who now depend on them.
As for the pharmaceutical industry, uniquely situated to assist in the crash effort to find a cure for the coronavirus, Sanders will confiscate its profits and put those profiteers out of business.
Still, given the alarming news coming from countries all over the globe, there is a risk that by November, the U.S. and the world may have tumbled into a recession. Airlines are already canceling flights to and from Asia. Cruise ships are pulling into ports and off-loading passengers. Travel and tourism are suffering terribly. Schools are closing.
Chinese factories that produce essential parts for factories and finished products in the U.S., Europe and Asia are shutting down. Supply chains are being severed. Shortages are cropping up.
The Japanese are talking of canceling the Olympics. If the virus spreads here, the question arises: Will our two parties still hold their nominating conventions this summer in Milwaukee and Charlotte?
The chickens of globalization are coming home to roost.
In recent decades, America’s economic and political elites of both parties surrendered America’s economic independence for globalism, a new interdependence of nations, where we Americans no longer rely on ourselves alone for the vital necessities of our national life.
That decision is now being exposed as the folly against which Hamilton and economic nationalists always warned.
According to The Washington Post, critical ingredients of medicines and drugs, upon which many American lives depend, are made in Chinese factories now in danger of being shut down.
In the ongoing struggle between nationalism and globalism, the globalists are taking a beating. Like the Chinese and Japanese and Koreans, Americans are not going to be looking to the WHO or U.N. to ensure their health, but to their own nation-states. And if a pandemic threatens, transnationalism’s “open borders” ideology is not a policy that will bring universal acclamation.
Like Trump’s America, all nations, in this crisis, are going to put their own people first. As they should.
The Best of Patrick J. Buchanan


lewrockwell--2020-02-29--NATO: From Covert Sponsor to Artillery for Terrorists in Syria

NATO member Turkey was recently caught out providing artillery support for terror groups in Syria ’ s Idlib province ; now leader of the NATO alliance , the United States , is hinting at Russia and Syria holding dialogue with the terrorists to curb the upsurge in conflict .
As Syria ’ s endgame closes , the protagonists and their proxies are coming more clearly into focus .
NATO ’ s covert shadowy connection with the jihadist insurgents it has sponsored for regime change is being flushed out as the Syrian army and its Russian ally home in on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this week ruled out any mediation with Tahrir Hayat al Sham ( HTS ) , the main terrorist network holding out in Idlib in northwest Syria .
Lavrov was referring to comments made earlier by US envoy James Jeffrey who suggested that HTS was “ not a terrorist organization any more ” and therefore might be included in negotiations for de-escalation .
The top Russian diplomat said the US envoy had previously dropped similar hints about rehabilitating HTS , formerly known as Nusra Front , an offshoot of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Islamic State ( or ISIS ) .
As Lavrov points out , these chameleonic groups are internationally proscribed terror organizations .
They are not exempt from targeting under past de-escalation deals between Russia and Turkey .
War Is A Racket : Origi ... Smedley D. Butler Best Price : $ 3.13 Buy New $ 3.75 It seems astounding that the US – which declares itself to be in a war against terrorism – is flagrantly acting as a mediator to spare these same terrorists from definitive military defeat .
The increasing violence @ @ @ @ @ @ @ result of jihadist militants continuing their attacks against civilians , as well as against the Syrian armed forces and their Russian allies in spite of several de-escalation attempts .
The terrorists have used their areas of control in Idlib and Aleppo countryside to launch rocket attacks on government-controlled areas .
Under the September 2018 deescalation agreement between Russia and Turkey , Ankara was obliged to facilitate a ceasefire by the jihadist groups which it is presumed to have influence over .
But Turkey failed to implement its obligations .
Hence the Syrian government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to go after the culprits .
Turkey ’ s protests about the offensive serves to expose Ankara ’ s association with the terror groups .
President Erdogan ’ s threats of deploying thousands of more troops in Syria ’ s north is in effect an admission of Turkey providing military support for the terrorists .
It gives new meaning for the purpose of Turkish military observation posts along the border ; more like command-and-assist posts .
Syria and Russia have previously accused Ankara of covertly supplying the terrorists with arms and cross-border logistics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ latest conflict phase is how Turkey ’ s state forces are openly participating with the illegally armed militants , as if the latter were a division of the Turkish army .
Given Turkey ’ s NATO membership , the implication here is daunting : NATO , evidently , is in overt league with the terrorists waging war against Syria .
That collaboration was manifest last week on February 19 when Syrian army positions at Nayrab in Idlib came under attack from jihadist militants , believed to be HTS .
The attack was supported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Russian SU-24s were called in to repel the ground offensive .
Two Turk troops were killed in the fighting .
Turkey ’ s Defense Minister HulusiAkar subsequently made an appeal to the US to supply Patriot air defense batteries .
It is not clear if the US will actually take that step which would mark a dangerous escalation against Russian-backed Syrian forces .
The US and NATO envoys have , however , voiced renewed support for Turkey amid growing tensions with Syria and Russia .
It has long been suspected that the US @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the anti-government militants in Syria since the war erupted in 2011 , including known terror groups , such as HTS and its myriad incarnations .
A recent auditing report by the Pentagon found that thousands of US weapons worth over $ 700 million have unaccountably gone missing from its military warehouses across the Middle East and in particular from arms depots in Kuwait and near the Jordanian-Syrian border .
Militants in Syria have been documented as being armed with US-made shoulder-fired missiles ( MANPADs ) and anti-tank TOW rockets .
The linkage to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ War with Russia ?
: From ... Stephen F. Cohen Best Price : $ 5.00 Buy New $ 8.50 But what is emerging is the stark configuration of NATO troops alongside terror cadres on the battlefield .
The suggestion by US envoy James Jeffrey that Syria and Russia should talk terms with the terrorist HTS further demonstrates the allegiance between Washington , its NATO allies and the militants .
Syria , with the full support of Russia , has vowed to take back every inch of its territory from the foreign-backed insurgents who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ state , committing unspeakable atrocities against the nation in the process .
International law mandates the Syrian government to take the battle to the end in order to crush and eradicate its enemies .
No other state would tolerate anything less .
We can only imagine the response by the US towards insurgents in its territory , and if Russia were to somehow call upon Washington to negotiate a truce .
Cornered in Idlib , the NATO powers are moving to salvage their terror proxies , by either giving them military cover or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , cut some slack through ceasefire negotiations .
The views of individual contributors do not necessarily represent those of the Strategic Culture Foundation .

NATO member Turkey was recently caught out providing artillery support for terror groups in Syria’s Idlib province; now leader of the NATO alliance, the United States, is hinting at Russia and Syria holding dialogue with the terrorists to curb the upsurge in conflict.
As Syria’s endgame closes, the protagonists and their proxies are coming more clearly into focus. NATO’s covert shadowy connection with the jihadist insurgents it has sponsored for regime change is being flushed out as the Syrian army and its Russian ally home in on the last stand of the terror groups.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov this week ruled out any mediation with Tahrir Hayat al Sham (HTS), the main terrorist network holding out in Idlib in northwest Syria. Lavrov was referring to comments made earlier by US envoy James Jeffrey who suggested that HTS was “not a terrorist organization any more” and therefore might be included in negotiations for de-escalation.
The top Russian diplomat said the US envoy had previously dropped similar hints about rehabilitating HTS, formerly known as Nusra Front, an offshoot of the al Qaeda terror cartel, related to Islamic State (or ISIS). As Lavrov points out, these chameleonic groups are internationally proscribed terror organizations. They are not exempt from targeting under past de-escalation deals between Russia and Turkey. War Is A Racket: Origi... Butler, Smedley D. Best Price: $4.72 Buy New $3.75 (as of 08:05 UTC - Details)
It seems astounding that the US – which declares itself to be in a war against terrorism – is flagrantly acting as a mediator to spare these same terrorists from definitive military defeat.
The increasing violence in Syria over recent months is a result of jihadist militants continuing their attacks against civilians, as well as against the Syrian armed forces and their Russian allies in spite of several de-escalation attempts. The terrorists have used their areas of control in Idlib and Aleppo countryside to launch rocket attacks on government-controlled areas. Under the September 2018 deescalation agreement between Russia and Turkey, Ankara was obliged to facilitate a ceasefire by the jihadist groups which it is presumed to have influence over. But Turkey failed to implement its obligations.
Hence the Syrian government forces and their Russian ally were entitled to go after the culprits.
Turkey’s protests about the offensive serves to expose Ankara’s association with the terror groups. President Erdogan’s threats of deploying thousands of more troops in Syria’s north is in effect an admission of Turkey providing military support for the terrorists. It gives new meaning for the purpose of Turkish military observation posts along the border; more like command-and-assist posts.
Syria and Russia have previously accused Ankara of covertly supplying the terrorists with arms and cross-border logistics. What is quickly transpiring in the latest conflict phase is how Turkey’s state forces are openly participating with the illegally armed militants, as if the latter were a division of the Turkish army. Given Turkey’s NATO membership, the implication here is daunting: NATO, evidently, is in overt league with the terrorists waging war against Syria.
That collaboration was manifest last week on February 19 when Syrian army positions at Nayrab in Idlib came under attack from jihadist militants, believed to be HTS. The attack was supported by Turkish artillery and tank fire. Russian SU-24s were called in to repel the ground offensive. Two Turk troops were killed in the fighting.
Turkey’s Defense Minister HulusiAkar subsequently made an appeal to the US to supply Patriot air defense batteries. It is not clear if the US will actually take that step which would mark a dangerous escalation against Russian-backed Syrian forces.
The US and NATO envoys have, however, voiced renewed support for Turkey amid growing tensions with Syria and Russia.
It has long been suspected that the US and other NATO members have been arming the anti-government militants in Syria since the war erupted in 2011, including known terror groups, such as HTS and its myriad incarnations.
A recent auditing report by the Pentagon found that thousands of US weapons worth over $700 million have unaccountably gone missing from its military warehouses across the Middle East and in particular from arms depots in Kuwait and near the Jordanian-Syrian border. Militants in Syria have been documented as being armed with US-made shoulder-fired missiles (MANPADs) and anti-tank TOW rockets. The linkage to the Pentagon would therefore seem evident. War with Russia?: From... Cohen, Stephen F. Best Price: $8.99 Buy New $8.50 (as of 02:15 UTC - Details)
But what is emerging is the stark configuration of NATO troops alongside terror cadres on the battlefield.
The suggestion by US envoy James Jeffrey that Syria and Russia should talk terms with the terrorist HTS further demonstrates the allegiance between Washington, its NATO allies and the militants.
Syria, with the full support of Russia, has vowed to take back every inch of its territory from the foreign-backed insurgents who have done their utmost to destroy that state, committing unspeakable atrocities against the nation in the process.
International law mandates the Syrian government to take the battle to the end in order to crush and eradicate its enemies. No other state would tolerate anything less. We can only imagine the response by the US towards insurgents in its territory, and if Russia were to somehow call upon Washington to negotiate a truce.
Cornered in Idlib, the NATO powers are moving to salvage their terror proxies, by either giving them military cover or, as Washington is attempting to do, cut some slack through ceasefire negotiations.
The views of individual contributors do not necessarily represent those of the Strategic Culture Foundation.


lewrockwell--2020-02-29--The Real Reason for the Shocking New Developments in the War on Cash

International Man : Australia has proposed a law that provides a $ 25,000 fine and two years in jail for those who make cash transactions of $ 10,000 or more .
If passed , the Currency ( Restrictions on the Use of Cash ) Bill could be implemented in 2020 .
Do you see this legislation as Orwellian ?
Jeff Thomas : Oh , yes , very much so .
The claim by the Australian government ’ s Black Economy Taskforce is that the law will help stamp out tax evasion , money laundering and other crimes .
What we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of laws popping up in all the countries that were a part of the post-war prosperity boom – the US , Canada , Japan , Australia , Europe and others .
All those jurisdictions dove headlong into the debt pit that the US created after 1971 .
All of them are now facing an economic crisis as a result .
Consequently , all of them will be creating capital controls .
My belief is that each will host several of these laws , and the others will all adopt them .
Each law @ @ @ @ @ @ @ laundering , terrorism , tax evasion , a rising black market or a combination of those scare tactic focal points .
As such , the populace of each country will welcome them , not understanding that the real purpose is to have the banks determine how much you ’ re allowed to spend .
Currency Wars : The Mak ... James Rickards Best Price : $ 1.76 Buy New $ 6.46 By having each country put forth a portion of the laws , then having all the others copy them , they ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be less draconian .
After all , how bad could they be , if all these countries support them ?
Many of these laws will be based on the assumption that cash will be eliminated and all transactions must be undertaken by the banks .
Banks will also be authorised to examine what you ’ re spending the money on .
At first the oversight would relate to large expenditures , but later , it would be smaller expenditures , that , together , make up larger amounts .
The outcome would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and could be refused by the bank .
Those depositors who had a history of transactions having been in question would find that all transactions would be monitored in future ( as though they weren ’ t already ) .
International Man : How can people combat the laws that are coming ?
Jeff Thomas : Anyone who lives in any of the countries that are most seriously at risk still has time , prior to the passage of the laws , to liquidate his holdings in those countries .
Then he may @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s likely to be safer .
If you own a home , sell it now and rent it back from the new owners .
That way , you get to remain in the house you like , but the value of your house would have been taken out of the country .
That gives you a nest egg elsewhere , in addition to making it easier to walk away from the house after things begin unravelling .
In a crisis , your true net worth consists of the amount of wealth that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So , you liquidate all assets and get the proceeds safely out .
If things don ’ t go so badly , the money can always be repatriated , but if things do go badly , you will have kept your family from becoming casualties .
International Man : Is a cashless society the only way for governments and central banks to continue to wield their power through debt-based paper currency ?
Jeff Thomas : No , there ’ s a host of means which they can employ .
In my belief , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” method – coming at people with a variety of approaches at the same time .
That would make it more likely that when people seek loopholes in the system , those loopholes will already be closed and people resign themselves to their fate .
In normal times , they ’ d be likely to drag the process out in order to be less obvious , but they ’ re running out of time .
The house of cards hasn ’ t collapsed , but it ’ s shaking and they ’ ll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as possible as quickly as possible .
International Man : The trend toward eliminating cash completely is accelerating .
In a cashless society , every transaction can be tracked and centrally controlled .
What does this mean for privacy and freedom ?
Jeff Thomas : It means three things .
First , it means that they can keep tabs on all your transactions .
Your financial privacy is gone .
Second , it means that in future , transactions can be refused if they ’ re “ questionable.
” Maybe your trip to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ powers that be .
Or your transfer to a bank in Singapore has been deemed “ invalid.
” In this way , they ’ ll be able to not only monitor your transactions , but limit your monetary freedom .
Those who repeatedly operate outside of the accepted norm may well go onto watch lists , where they increasingly must seek permission to make transactions .
At first , this won ’ t be as simple as an “ allowed/refused ” programme .
It will be more polite .
You ’ ll receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy reasons , we have been unable to complete this transaction .
Please provide additional documentation as to the purpose of the transaction for our records.
” They ’ ll bury you in requests for documentation .
You ’ ll accept the idea that you must provide them with information , and very soon , you ’ ll become accustomed to pleading with your bank to use your own money as you see fit .
Third , because they have a record of all your transactions , your government can change the method @ @ @ @ @ @ @ payment to a direct debit .
I believe that they would soon announce that they ’ ll be performing direct debits quarterly or even monthly “ for your benefit.
” Their claim will be that they ’ re relieving you of the hardship of the annual big hit and replacing it with a series of smaller ones .
You ’ ll then see a series of debits on your bank statements that are intentionally confusing .
You won ’ t be able to figure out their method for determining the debit amounts , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ become apparent that they ’ re taking more and more .
International Man : What happens once negative interest rates are incurred on deposits ?
Jeff Thomas : Well , once you have no choice but to entrust all your transactions to your bank , negative interest rates will be implemented .
After that , they ’ ll rise , again and again .
My guess is that you ’ ll see rates on your bank statement such as 2.371 % one month , followed by 2.592 % the following month .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll come to think of it as being like the stock market , going up and down each month “ as necessary.
” But it will be a scam .
It will quite simply be the theft of your money on deposit .
International Man : What should people be doing to combat this trend ?
Jeff Thomas : Well , first off , I ’ d expect that this will begin in the US , EU , Canada , etc.
, and then spread outward .
There are those jurisdictions like Switzerland @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are more geared to providing favourable services to their clients than the large powers do .
They ’ ll hold out at first , but once the majority of the world is on board with this scam , they ’ ll jump on board also .
After all , it ’ s a license to skin you each month .
What bank is going to pass that opportunity up ?
So , in the end , it will go global .
International Man : Do you see any hope for either derailing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The Death of Money : Th ... James Rickards Best Price : $ 0.25 Buy New $ 3.50 Jeff Thomas : As long as the current economic system remains as it is , no .
The only escape is to either get out of cash , or move to a country that ’ s likely to continue to use cash .
And the best that will do will be to buy you a bit more time .
Ultimately , this will succeed up until the day comes when there ’ s a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people will try to escape through the use of cryptos .
But if cryptos become the one and only loophole , we can be sure that they will be either taken over or outlawed .
There ’ s zero chance that the powers that be will allow for this massive wealth grab to be thwarted by those who deal in cryptos .
I should mention that , at this point , I don ’ t have any particular vision in mind as to how this might be done , but the Achilles heel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for goods and services at some point .
It will be at that point that a red flag is raised and the trader is exposed and prosecuted for “ economic terrorism , ” or whatever trumped-up term is created at the time .
Cryptos just may be the greatest economic invention of the twenty-first century , and that ’ s just why they can ’ t be allowed to go mainstream .
All on their own , they can defeat the banks ’ most profitable money-maker and that can ’ t be allowed @ @ @

International Man: Australia has proposed a law that provides a $25,000 fine and two years in jail for those who make cash transactions of $10,000 or more. If passed, the Currency (Restrictions on the Use of Cash) Bill could be implemented in 2020.
Do you see this legislation as Orwellian?
Jeff Thomas: Oh, yes, very much so. The claim by the Australian government’s Black Economy Taskforce is that the law will help stamp out tax evasion, money laundering and other crimes.
What we’ll be seeing is a plethora of laws popping up in all the countries that were a part of the post-war prosperity boom – the US, Canada, Japan, Australia, Europe and others. All those jurisdictions dove headlong into the debt pit that the US created after 1971. All of them are now facing an economic crisis as a result.
Consequently, all of them will be creating capital controls. My belief is that each will host several of these laws, and the others will all adopt them. Each law will be justified as protection against money laundering, terrorism, tax evasion, a rising black market or a combination of those scare tactic focal points. As such, the populace of each country will welcome them, not understanding that the real purpose is to have the banks determine how much you’re allowed to spend. Currency Wars: The Mak... James Rickards Best Price: $1.76 Buy New $6.46 (as of 09:55 UTC - Details)
By having each country put forth a portion of the laws, then having all the others copy them, they’ll hope to make the laws appear to be less draconian. After all, how bad could they be, if all these countries support them?
Many of these laws will be based on the assumption that cash will be eliminated and all transactions must be undertaken by the banks. Banks will also be authorised to examine what you’re spending the money on. At first the oversight would relate to large expenditures, but later, it would be smaller expenditures, that, together, make up larger amounts. The outcome would be that all outlays would be suspect and could be refused by the bank. Those depositors who had a history of transactions having been in question would find that all transactions would be monitored in future (as though they weren’t already).
International Man: How can people combat the laws that are coming?
Jeff Thomas: Anyone who lives in any of the countries that are most seriously at risk still has time, prior to the passage of the laws, to liquidate his holdings in those countries. Then he may move the proceeds to a jurisdiction that’s likely to be safer.
If you own a home, sell it now and rent it back from the new owners. That way, you get to remain in the house you like, but the value of your house would have been taken out of the country. That gives you a nest egg elsewhere, in addition to making it easier to walk away from the house after things begin unravelling.
In a crisis, your true net worth consists of the amount of wealth that you have already succeeded in expatriating. So, you liquidate all assets and get the proceeds safely out. If things don’t go so badly, the money can always be repatriated, but if things do go badly, you will have kept your family from becoming casualties.
International Man: Is a cashless society the only way for governments and central banks to continue to wield their power through debt-based paper currency?
Jeff Thomas: No, there’s a host of means which they can employ. In my belief, they’ll use the “shotgun” method – coming at people with a variety of approaches at the same time. That would make it more likely that when people seek loopholes in the system, those loopholes will already be closed and people resign themselves to their fate.
In normal times, they’d be likely to drag the process out in order to be less obvious, but they’re running out of time. The house of cards hasn’t collapsed, but it’s shaking and they’ll want to entrap your wealth as much as possible as quickly as possible.
International Man: The trend toward eliminating cash completely is accelerating. In a cashless society, every transaction can be tracked and centrally controlled.
What does this mean for privacy and freedom?
Jeff Thomas: It means three things. First, it means that they can keep tabs on all your transactions. Your financial privacy is gone.
Second, it means that in future, transactions can be refused if they’re “questionable.” Maybe your trip to Panama has been deemed unjustified by the powers that be. Or your transfer to a bank in Singapore has been deemed “invalid.” In this way, they’ll be able to not only monitor your transactions, but limit your monetary freedom. Those who repeatedly operate outside of the accepted norm may well go onto watch lists, where they increasingly must seek permission to make transactions.
At first, this won’t be as simple as an “allowed/refused” programme. It will be more polite. You’ll receive a notice that says, “For policy reasons, we have been unable to complete this transaction. Please provide additional documentation as to the purpose of the transaction for our records.” They’ll bury you in requests for documentation. You’ll accept the idea that you must provide them with information, and very soon, you’ll become accustomed to pleading with your bank to use your own money as you see fit.
Third, because they have a record of all your transactions, your government can change the method of taxation from an annual voluntary tax payment to a direct debit. I believe that they would soon announce that they’ll be performing direct debits quarterly or even monthly “for your benefit.” Their claim will be that they’re relieving you of the hardship of the annual big hit and replacing it with a series of smaller ones.
You’ll then see a series of debits on your bank statements that are intentionally confusing. You won’t be able to figure out their method for determining the debit amounts, although it will, over time, become apparent that they’re taking more and more.
International Man: What happens once negative interest rates are incurred on deposits?
Jeff Thomas: Well, once you have no choice but to entrust all your transactions to your bank, negative interest rates will be implemented. After that, they’ll rise, again and again. My guess is that you’ll see rates on your bank statement such as 2.371% one month, followed by 2.592% the following month. It will seem very technical and you’ll come to think of it as being like the stock market, going up and down each month “as necessary.” But it will be a scam. It will quite simply be the theft of your money on deposit.
International Man: What should people be doing to combat this trend?
Jeff Thomas: Well, first off, I’d expect that this will begin in the US, EU, Canada, etc., and then spread outward. There are those jurisdictions like Switzerland, the Channel Islands, etc., that are more geared to providing favourable services to their clients than the large powers do. They’ll hold out at first, but once the majority of the world is on board with this scam, they’ll jump on board also. After all, it’s a license to skin you each month. What bank is going to pass that opportunity up? So, in the end, it will go global.
International Man: Do you see any hope for either derailing this system or opting out of it? The Death of Money: Th... James Rickards Best Price: $0.25 Buy New $3.50 (as of 10:20 UTC - Details)
Jeff Thomas: As long as the current economic system remains as it is, no. The only escape is to either get out of cash, or move to a country that’s likely to continue to use cash. And the best that will do will be to buy you a bit more time.
Ultimately, this will succeed up until the day comes when there’s a collapse in the system itself.
Some people will try to escape through the use of cryptos. But if cryptos become the one and only loophole, we can be sure that they will be either taken over or outlawed. There’s zero chance that the powers that be will allow for this massive wealth grab to be thwarted by those who deal in cryptos.
I should mention that, at this point, I don’t have any particular vision in mind as to how this might be done, but the Achilles heel of cryptos is that they are exchanged for goods and services at some point. It will be at that point that a red flag is raised and the trader is exposed and prosecuted for “economic terrorism,” or whatever trumped-up term is created at the time.
Cryptos just may be the greatest economic invention of the twenty-first century, and that’s just why they can’t be allowed to go mainstream. All on their own, they can defeat the banks’ most profitable money-maker and that can’t be allowed to happen.
Reprinted with permission from International Man.


The Update

One of the things about new cars that ’ s inarguably fantastic is how they sound .
Not their engines , of course .
For that you need an old car – one without catalytic converters and with a carburetor !
Nothing fuel-injected will ever sound better than the sound of a big a four barrel ’ s secondaries opening up .
Listen my children and you shall hear .
.
.
the sound that makes the entire Persian Gulf stand up and cheer !
But nothing that ’ s old can match the sound of a new car ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a long way in that department .
It ’ s not just the sound , either .
New car stereos usually have Bluetooth capability – which means you can wirelessly pipe your music into the stereo from your phone or an iPod and that way avoid listening to the radio – and three commercials for every song .
Most are set up for SiriusXM , Pandora and other streaming services , too – so you can listen to your playlists and genres rather than their commercials .
It also means no more lugging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the best part is , you don ’ t have to buy a new car to get it – or get rid of it .
Amazon.com Gift Card i ... Buy New $ 10.00 I just installed a new audio rig in my old truck , which came with what was a not-bad stereo by the standards of 2002 .
By today ’ s standards , it sucks dead toads – the audio equivalent of an 8-track player back in the ’ 90s .
No Bluetooth – because there was no Bluetooth back @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to whatever ’ s on the radio – which is mostly commercials – or dealing with my CDs .
If the CD player still worked .
And the four crappy speakers are really three -because the driver ’ s side door speaker is blown .
So I decided to treat myself to an update .
A modern audio system with Bluetooth and ( cue the Emperor from Star Wars voice ) many other things besides .
The Best of Eric Peters

One of the things about new cars that’s inarguably fantastic is how they sound. Not their engines, of course. For that you need an old car – one without catalytic converters and with a carburetor!
Nothing fuel-injected will ever sound better than the sound of a big a four barrel’s secondaries opening up. Listen my children and you shall hear . . . the sound that makes the entire Persian Gulf stand up and cheer!

But nothing that’s old can match the sound of a new car’s audio system. We have come a long way in that department.
It’s not just the sound, either.
New car stereos usually have Bluetooth capability – which means you can wirelessly pipe your music into the stereo from your phone or an iPod and that way avoid listening to the radio – and three commercials for every song. Most are set up for SiriusXM, Pandora and other streaming services, too – so you can listen to your playlists and genres rather than their commercials.
It also means no more lugging around a case of CDs.

And the best part is, you don’t have to buy a new car to get it – or get rid of it.
Amazon.com Gift Card i... Buy New $10.00 (as of 08:25 UTC - Details) I just installed a new audio rig in my old truck, which came with what was a not-bad stereo by the standards of 2002.
By today’s standards, it sucks dead toads – the audio equivalent of an 8-track player back in the ’90s. No Bluetooth – because there was no Bluetooth back in ’02. That means listening to whatever’s on the radio – which is mostly commercials – or dealing with my CDs.
If the CD player still worked.
And the four crappy speakers are really three -because the driver’s side door speaker is blown.
So I decided to treat myself to an update. A modern audio system with Bluetooth and (cue the Emperor from Star Wars voice) many other things besides.
Including an amazingly low price.
Read the Whole Article
The Best of Eric Peters


lewrockwell--2020-02-29--Hey, It’s Not Just Corona Virus

Hey, It’s Not Just Corona Virus

Whatever the Democratic Party is infected with may be worse than covid-19 .
The symptoms presented point to a rare illness known as kuru .
By now , we all understand that diseases easily jump between continents in this era of incessant air travel .
The National Institutes of Health ’ s MedlinePlus bulletin has this to say about it : Does this account for the public ’ s preoccupation with Zombies ?
Is something deeply sinister roiling in the dark interstices of American life ?
The public still doesn ’ t know for sure what was going on in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Information Facility ) deep in the Capitol ’ s sub-basement back in January , where Rep. Adam Schiff ( D-CA ) was busy spirit-cooking impeachment testimony .
Was something else bubbling away on his Coleman stove down there ?
Say , a fricassee of Jeffrey Epstein ’ s frontal lobes ?
Did Nancy Pelosi come back for seconds ?
Her subsequent behavior implicates acute kuru infection , the inappropriate laughter , slurred speech , tardive dyskinesia , paranoia .
Living in the Long Eme ... James Howard Kunstler Buy New $ 24.95 See @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign , nomination , and election cycle .
That is , the symptoms will become more pronounced as the year rolls out , culminating with a cluster of fatalities in early November .
Election fatalities , that is , and then perhaps the death of the old party itself .
Signs and omens abound .
Note , for example , the op-ed column Thursday by New York Times regular Gail Collins .
Take a close look at that photo .
Some analysts might simply see a pooch-faced old biddy exuding the vapors of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ detect prodromes of kuru in the unnatural squint and the inappropriate expression of mirth , considering the grave subject of the op-ed is a high-order threat to global stability , surely no laughing matter .
Manifestations of kuru were clearly evident in this week ’ s Democratic candidates ’ debate .
Joe Biden has been obviously ill for months — though I suspect he remains in the contest solely to avoid being deposed for his money-laundering activities in Ukraine while vice-president .
Mr. Biden shocked the nation Tuesday night , declaring that roughly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people , died as a result of gun violence last year .
Wow , and nobody noticed ?
That would be an event comparable to “ the Rapture , ” and yet somehow the mainstream media missed the story — though , let ’ s face it , they do miss an awful lot these days .
In another strange incident , Mr. Biden introduced himself as a “ candidate for the senate.
” Is there some law against running for two political offices simultaneously ?
Did The Washington Post check with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the former veep just hallucinating ?
The Geography of Nowhe ... James Howard Kunstler Best Price : $ 1.17 Buy New $ 11.88 Judging by his utterances , Bernie Sanders appears to be another advanced case .
( Let ’ s be honest , he ’ s presented symptoms of kuru for decades . )
This week , they were especially florid in the irrepressible rhapsodizing over Fidel Castro and the achievements of his regime in advancing Cuban literacy .
One wonders how many Cuban-American voters in Dade County , Florida , read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Did Bernie ’ s campaign staff tell him that he didn ’ t need Florida to win the election , or are they infected , too ?
Advice to Bernie Bros and sundry supporters : if you attend any of the Super Tuesday meet-and-greets for the candidate , avoid the chopped liver canapes .
They may be somebody ’ s medulla oblongata .
Even Mike Bloomberg seemed to have something wrong with him , as when he virtually bragged to a national TV audience that he paid $ 50-million to “ buy ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There ’ s a sound-bite he ’ ll never recover from !
But my diagnostician ’ s eye suspects another little known and exotic disorder : latah , defined in Wikipedia as follows : Having to suffer the aspersions of all those kuru sufferers lined up against him behind their podiums , Mr. Bloomberg apparently snapped .
Washington DC is a hot zone for many poorly understood diseases of the mind .
Perhaps the White House corona virus team can spare a few NIH clinicians to look into these troubling matters .
@ @ @ @ @ @

Whatever the Democratic Party is infected with may be worse than covid-19. The symptoms presented point to a rare illness known as kuru. By now, we all understand that diseases easily jump between continents in this era of incessant air travel. The National Institutes of Health’s MedlinePlus bulletin has this to say about it:
Kuru is found among people from New Guinea who practiced a form of cannibalism in which they ate the brains of dead people as part of a funeral ritual. This practice stopped [allegedly] in 1960, but cases of kuru were reported for many years afterward because the disease has a long incubation period…. Kuru causes brain and nervous system changes similar to Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease… bovine spongiform encephalopathy (BSE), also called mad cow disease. The main risk factor for kuru is eating human brain tissue, which can contain the infectious particles.
Does this account for the public’s preoccupation with Zombies? Is something deeply sinister roiling in the dark interstices of American life? The public still doesn’t know for sure what was going on in the congressional SCIF chamber (Sensitive Compartmented Information Facility) deep in the Capitol’s sub-basement back in January, where Rep. Adam Schiff (D-CA) was busy spirit-cooking impeachment testimony. Was something else bubbling away on his Coleman stove down there? Say, a fricassee of Jeffrey Epstein’s frontal lobes? Did Nancy Pelosi come back for seconds? Her subsequent behavior implicates acute kuru infection, the inappropriate laughter, slurred speech, tardive dyskinesia, paranoia. Living in the Long Eme... James Howard Kunstler Buy New $24.95 (as of 10:56 UTC - Details)
Healthline.com reports:
The name kuru means ‘to shiver’ or ‘trembling in fear.’ The symptoms of the disease include muscle twitching and loss of coordination. Other symptoms include difficulty walking, involuntary movements, behavioral and mood changes, dementia, and difficulty eating. The latter can cause malnutrition. Kuru has no known cure. It’s usually fatal within one year of contraction.
See how this neatly corresponds to the 2020 campaign, nomination, and election cycle. That is, the symptoms will become more pronounced as the year rolls out, culminating with a cluster of fatalities in early November. Election fatalities, that is, and then perhaps the death of the old party itself. Signs and omens abound.
Note, for example, the op-ed column Thursday by New York Times regular Gail Collins.
Take a close look at that photo.
Some analysts might simply see a pooch-faced old biddy exuding the vapors of smuggery, but a trained diagnostician would detect prodromes of kuru in the unnatural squint and the inappropriate expression of mirth, considering the grave subject of the op-ed is a high-order threat to global stability, surely no laughing matter.
Manifestations of kuru were clearly evident in this week’s Democratic candidates’ debate. Joe Biden has been obviously ill for months — though I suspect he remains in the contest solely to avoid being deposed for his money-laundering activities in Ukraine while vice-president. Mr. Biden shocked the nation Tuesday night, declaring that roughly half the US population, 150 million people, died as a result of gun violence last year. Wow, and nobody noticed? That would be an event comparable to “the Rapture,” and yet somehow the mainstream media missed the story — though, let’s face it, they do miss an awful lot these days. In another strange incident, Mr. Biden introduced himself as a “candidate for the senate.” Is there some law against running for two political offices simultaneously? Did The Washington Post check with the Delaware Board of Elections? Or is the former veep just hallucinating? The Geography of Nowhe... James Howard Kunstler Best Price: $1.17 Buy New $11.88 (as of 10:41 UTC - Details)
Judging by his utterances, Bernie Sanders appears to be another advanced case. (Let’s be honest, he’s presented symptoms of kuru for decades.) This week, they were especially florid in the irrepressible rhapsodizing over Fidel Castro and the achievements of his regime in advancing Cuban literacy. One wonders how many Cuban-American voters in Dade County, Florida, read about that on their Apple news-feed. Did Bernie’s campaign staff tell him that he didn’t need Florida to win the election, or are they infected, too? Advice to Bernie Bros and sundry supporters: if you attend any of the Super Tuesday meet-and-greets for the candidate, avoid the chopped liver canapes. They may be somebody’s medulla oblongata.
Even Mike Bloomberg seemed to have something wrong with him, as when he virtually bragged to a national TV audience that he paid $50-million to “buy” the 2018 Democratic Party midterm election victory. There’s a sound-bite he’ll never recover from! But my diagnostician’s eye suspects another little known and exotic disorder: latah, defined in Wikipedia as follows:
Latah…. [A] condition in which abnormal behaviors result from a person experiencing a sudden shock…. Latah is considered a culture-specific startle disorder…. Similar conditions have been recorded within other cultures and locations. For example, there are the so-called Jumping Frenchmen of Maine, imu among women of the Ainu people of Japan, mali-mali or silok among Filipinos, and bat-schi among Thais. Persons with latah make movements reminiscent of behaviors normally peculiar to certain childhood developmental stages. The person is unlikely to remember anything occurring during the episode.
Having to suffer the aspersions of all those kuru sufferers lined up against him behind their podiums, Mr. Bloomberg apparently snapped. Washington DC is a hot zone for many poorly understood diseases of the mind. Perhaps the White House corona virus team can spare a few NIH clinicians to look into these troubling matters.
Reprinted with permission from Kunstler.com.
The Best of James Howard Kunstler


lewrockwell--2020-02-29--Transgenderism: The Great Delusion of Our Time

The recent remark by Dawn Butler , shadow secretary of state for women and equalities , that ‘ a child is born without sex ’ is certainly one of the most bizarre things said by a politician in my lifetime .
It is surprising that it hasn ’ t attracted more derision than it deserves .
Or perhaps it isn ’ t .
The transgender myth – that one ’ s actual sex , not one ’ s gender , is entirely of one ’ s own choosing – is firmly embedded as the definitive popular delusion of the 21st @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of a more rational age to assess it more soberly and explain its origins .
My theory is that it is the consequence of what might be called the Discrimination Dialectic .
Our society is constantly at war with itself between two conflicting imperatives : the need to have an Other ( every culture needs one ) who we can define ourselves against and be mean about , and our more contemporary , and culturally specific , progressive imperative to ceaselessly end discrimination against minorities and erstwhile Others .
This dialectic involves identifying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ next Other in order to emancipate them .
When I was very young it was still acceptable to be a misogynist – television comedians still made jokes about wives and mothers-in-law – and it was acceptable in certain circles to be racist .
Homophobia was even more mainstream well into the 1980s , when ‘ poof ’ and ‘ homo ’ were unremarkable playground insults .
Left of Bang : How the ... Patrick Van Horne , Jas ... Best Price : $ 12.13 Buy New $ 14.63 Going back further , misogyny @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mainstream in the 1960s .
They are all taboo today .
Most people under 30 probably don ’ t even know that Irish jokes were commonplace until the 1980s .
So what discriminated Other should our society campaign for now ?
What minority can we be progressive about now ?
Trans people , it transpires .
It is owing to our culture ’ s cult of progress , and the liberal-left ’ s compulsion of forever ending discrimination , that the trans movement has captured the Labour Party so virulently .
While Butler @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a recent statement by the London mayor , Sadiq Khan , raised none , when he asserted that ‘ Trans women are women .
Trans men are men.
’ Another transparent falsehood .
A trans woman is a trans woman .
Trans is a powerful myth , which explains how it demands some curious mental gymnastics and strange doctrines .
First was the notion that by having cosmetic surgery you can change your sex .
( You can ’ t , because you can ’ t change your chromosomes or biology .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ give birth . )
Then came the idea that you can change your sex through performative utterance , by merely declaring you have done so .
And now comes the literally – literally – unreal dogma that babies have no sex .
Most people , especially those of a woke persuasion , like to ridicule Christian creationists who believe the Earth is only 6,000 years old .
They are certainly irritating , such is their wilful , wanton resistance to accept the overwhelming scientific evidence for evolution .
True trans believers have become @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their flight from reality and denial of not just science , but also what is staring them in the face .
You don ’ t even need a doctor to tell what sex a baby is .

The recent remark by Dawn Butler, shadow secretary of state for women and equalities, that ‘a child is born without sex’ is certainly one of the most bizarre things said by a politician in my lifetime. It is surprising that it hasn’t attracted more derision than it deserves. Or perhaps it isn’t. The transgender myth – that one’s actual sex, not one’s gender, is entirely of one’s own choosing – is firmly embedded as the definitive popular delusion of the 21st century. It will take future historians of a more rational age to assess it more soberly and explain its origins.
My theory is that it is the consequence of what might be called the Discrimination Dialectic. Our society is constantly at war with itself between two conflicting imperatives: the need to have an Other (every culture needs one) who we can define ourselves against and be mean about, and our more contemporary, and culturally specific, progressive imperative to ceaselessly end discrimination against minorities and erstwhile Others. This dialectic involves identifying, or maybe even inventing, the next Other in order to emancipate them.
When I was very young it was still acceptable to be a misogynist – television comedians still made jokes about wives and mothers-in-law – and it was acceptable in certain circles to be racist. Homophobia was even more mainstream well into the 1980s, when ‘poof’ and ‘homo’ were unremarkable playground insults. Left of Bang: How the ... Patrick Van Horne, Jas... Best Price: $12.13 Buy New $14.63 (as of 08:15 UTC - Details)
Going back further, misogyny, racism and homophobia were all pretty mainstream in the 1960s. They are all taboo today. Most people under 30 probably don’t even know that Irish jokes were commonplace until the 1980s. So what discriminated Other should our society campaign for now? What minority can we be progressive about now? Trans people, it transpires.
It is owing to our culture’s cult of progress, and the liberal-left’s compulsion of forever ending discrimination, that the trans movement has captured the Labour Party so virulently. While Butler’s remark raised some eyebrows, a recent statement by the London mayor, Sadiq Khan, raised none, when he asserted that ‘Trans women are women. Trans men are men.’ Another transparent falsehood. A trans woman is a trans woman.
Trans is a powerful myth, which explains how it demands some curious mental gymnastics and strange doctrines. First was the notion that by having cosmetic surgery you can change your sex. (You can’t, because you can’t change your chromosomes or biology. I never have and never will menstruate or give birth.) Then came the idea that you can change your sex through performative utterance, by merely declaring you have done so. And now comes the literally – literally – unreal dogma that babies have no sex.
Most people, especially those of a woke persuasion, like to ridicule Christian creationists who believe the Earth is only 6,000 years old. They are certainly irritating, such is their wilful, wanton resistance to accept the overwhelming scientific evidence for evolution. True trans believers have become intolerable for exactly the same reason: their flight from reality and denial of not just science, but also what is staring them in the face. You don’t even need a doctor to tell what sex a baby is.
Read the Whole Article