China's New Social Media App Should Look Familiar

 

China’s Communist government has launched a new app that urges citizens to report anyone expressing “mistaken opinions” on the Internet. The new platform will also target anyone who criticizes the ruling Chinese Communist Party (CCP), disputes the official CCP version of the country’s history, or traffics in “misinformation.” The new website and app was recently unveiled by an arm of the Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC), and authorities called on users to play an “active role” in helping to identify “malicious people distorting facts and confusing” others. CCP authorities stated: “We hope that most internet users will play an active role in supervising society…and enthusiastically report harmful information,” adding that they strongly “encouraged” netizens to report fellow internet users who have the audacity to spread “mistaken opinions” online in order to create a “good public opinion atmosphere.” Particularly egregious offenses would apparently include “distorting” the Party's history, attacking its leadership and policies, and “denying the excellence of advanced socialist culture.”  

This new app is in addition to and augments China’s existing oppressive social credit score system that bans people from traveling and engaging in other basic societal activities and functions if they commit even minor “infractions” such as jaywalking or buying too much junk food.

“Mistaken opinions?” Particularly astute readers of this post will note that this is the third time I have used that term, two of which I’ve hyperlinked. The reason should be obvious. “Opinions” are just that. Two plus two does equal four, regardless of what modern espousers of critical race theory may say, but opinions are, by definition, not immutable truths. That is why they are termed “opinions.” Yet, the CCP, in using the term “mistaken opinions,” is clearly if obliquely asserting that its opinions are facts and those of anyone dissenting from them are false, untrue, lies… calumnious.

This may seem extreme and an attack on cherished God-given freedoms to some in the United States-- or the West in general, but, is it really any different than how Twitter, FaceBook, Google, You-Tube, Instagram, et. al., police their platforms? Or how social media mobs in the west currently conduct preposterously biased witch hunts that often lead to people being ostracized, de-platformed, and unemployed, simply for expressing “mistaken opinions.” Is this really any different than what CNN, MSNBC, ABC, CBS, NBC, the New York Times, the Washington Post, Hollywood, Big Academia, Big Tech, and the hyper-craven-cum-hyper-woke CEOs of giant multi-national corporations are engaging in? It is certainly akin to the actions and policies the Biden administration—and the majority of Democratic leaders/Governors/Mayors—have advocated, embarked on, and instituted.  

So, wear your mask and stay socially distant Westerners. Get vaccinated pronto. Don’t forget to use the pronouns of others’ choice! Don’t question your betters’ leadership, actions or agenda! Experts know best! The science is settled!

And always remember, the elites are only doing what they think is best for you! Don’t question that. Or they’ll have no choice but to punish you. For your own good, of course.

By-the-way, have you jaywalked lately? Denied the excellence of advanced socialist culture as portrayed by The Squad? Purchased too many bags of Cheetos and potato chips?

Don’t plan on travelling anytime soon.

 

The Left Continues Its War On Language

 

The Toronto Regional Real Estate Board (TRREB) is removing the term “master” bedroom from all of its databases and listing services and replacing it with the politically correct phrase “primary” bedroom. According to a TRREB news release, the change was suggested by the organization’s Diversity and Inclusion Task Force (DITV) to better align it with Canadian Real Estate Association (CREA) practices. (WTH?)

The release promised that the change “will also address the negative connotations surrounding ‘master’ bedroom, which many Members, others in the industry, and the public at large associate with terminology rooted in slavery and/or sexism. We also heard some of your concerns about the offensive undertones associated with this term. We know that words matter, and this is a step forward in rethinking outdated terms and modernizing the language used in the real estate industry.”

Note to the TRREB and wokesters everywhere: banning (or bastardizing) language is not progressive, it is regressive…a step backward. When you try to ban words, you are saying one of two things about them: 1) Either the word doesn’t matter at all or 2) The word is so powerful it can overwhelm your ability to rationally process it. In a sane world and to a sane person, neither should be the case.

I guess “Masterpiece Theatre” will have to go, too. Sorry, PBS. As will “The Masters Tournament,” and “Mastercard.” The terms master chef, masterful, and mastermind will all soon be verboten, as well. And please do not speak of Masters and Johnson!

But why stop there? There are a great many synonyms of “master,” all of them as pernicious and dangerous as “master” itself…perhaps more so, as their racist connotations are deliberately obscured by the fact they are spelled differently. Think about that. Could anything be a clearer sign of systemic racism? Here is what a Bing search for “master” synonyms revealed.

Noun/adjective-- lord, overlord, lord and master, ruler, sovereign, monarch, liege,  liege lord, suzerain, overseer, superintendent, director, manager, controller, leader, governor, commander, padrone, captain, head, headman, boss, principal, employer, foreman, chief, top dog, honcho, head honcho, Big Chief, Big Daddy, gaffer, guv'nor, kahuna, sachem, expert, adept,  genius, past master, maestro, virtuoso, professional, doyen, authority, pundit, master, hand, prodigy, grandmaster, champion, star, ace, pro, wizard, whizz, wiz, hotshot, ninja, dab hand, maven, crackerjack, original, archetype, prototype.

Verb-- learn, learn thoroughly, become proficient in, know inside out, know backwards, become expert in, acquire, pick up,  grasp, understand, get the hang of, get clued up about,  get off by heart, overcome, conquer, beat, quell, quash, suppress, control, repress, restrain, overpower, triumph over, subdue, vanquish, subjugate, hegemonize, prevail over, govern, curb, check, bridle, tame, defeat, get the better of, get a grip on, get over, gain mastery over, lick.

The term “Lord” is particularly egregious as it gives the false impression that there could be a higher power than government. But all of these words must be canceled and relegated to the ash heap of history in the interest of diversity. Only by eliminating words—and by extension thought—can we truly express our tolerance and inclusiveness, right?

As progressives continue in their inexorable-- and thus-far successful-- attempt to dumb society down, more and more people are succumbing to bellyfeel. Any word, term, or phrase that represents competence, effort, intelligence or proficiency is purported to be nothing but a dog whistle for white patriarchic supremacy. Newspeak has become the order of the day. Say the wrong thing or use the wrong pronoun to describe or greet someone and you may quickly become an unperson.

The left’s attack on language is part of its master plan to control thought, thereby limiting freedom. When people are deprived of knowledge and the ability to persuasively communicate, they are dramatically easier to subjugate. Which is why the vast majority of Democrats in power today support the assault on words and reason.

Turns out, the new Democratic slave masters aren’t much different from the old Democratic slave masters.

Lord help us.

 

 

Fools' Overture

 

It hasn’t taken long.

Gas prices are rising. As are the prices of other durable and consumer goods, such as timber. Crime is soaring. China is making threatening gestures and Russia is massing troops on the border of Ukraine. There is a crisis on our own southern border, which even President and Lid-Caller-in-Chief Biden accidentally admitted recently, causing White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki to claim that’s not what he really meant to say.

This was all eminently predictable because, as any rational human being knows, actions have consequences. Banning the Keystone Pipeline, printing and spending trillions upon trillions of dollars and threatening to implement preposterous environmental policies, defunding the police and coddling criminals have had the effects that similar actions have always had. They are the only possible results of actions such as these. Likewise, pretending that China isn’t a serious and imminent threat to U.S. national interests-- while simultaneously proclaiming that Russia is, even as you have no stomach to back up your assertions— was almost certain to result in the present crises situations.

But being a progressive means never having to worry about consequences because: 1) you will be too busy blaming everyone else for the devastation you have wrought 2) the national media is your bitch and 3) most Americans are ignorant of history. These facts also mean you never have to say you’re sorry. Not that you would anyway.

Hell, you can make half of the country believe that it is effective to fight racism with racism, sexism with sexism and intolerance by being intolerant. You can make them believe that dividing people into ever smaller groups, pitting them against each other and demonizing people of a particular skin color will somehow pave the way to an ideal, equitable society. You can make people think that President Trump’s call for “peaceful” demonstration outside of the Capitol in Washington, D.C., was inciting riot and insurrection while Maxine Waters’ urging already violent protesters in Minneapolis to get “more confrontational” and “stay on the street” was a great moment in the divine fight for civil rights. You can even make people believe there are an infinite number of sexes or genders.

Open borders lead to an ever more unstable society. Excusing or rewarding crime while punishing self-discipline and success can have only one outcome.

 All of history clearly shows this. But we don’t know history anymore. At least not accurate history. Many don’t believe it is as important as, like, you know, the Bachelorette or Cardi B’s new song. In reality, if we are ignorant of history, we are ignorant of everything. And unprepared for what the future will bring. Which is precisely why progressives try so hard to rewrite or erase it.

The classic rock band Supertramp released a song in the late 1970s called “Fool’s Overture.” It was nominally about Winston Churchill. The opening lyrics read:

History recalls
How great the fall can be

While everybody's sleeping
The boat's put out to sea

 

Anyone familiar with World War II will recognize the probable reference to Dunkirk.

 

The song continues:

 

Too late the prophets cried

The island's sinking
Let's take to the sky

 

The liberal politicians refused to listen to Churchill, and England, but for the valiant efforts of the RAF in the Battle of Britain (“Let’s take to the sky”) was nearly sunk forever.  

 

My guess is that the members of Supertramp consider themselves good progressives. They probably don’t fully grasp the relevance of their words to the situation the West is in today. If that is indeed the case, more is the pity.

The song continues:

 

Called the man a fool
Stripped him of his pride

Everyone was laughing
Up until the day he died

 

Although the wound went deep
Still he's calling us out of our sleep

My friends, we're not alone

He waits in silence to lead us all home

 

Trump 2024?

 

“OUCH! That Stereotype Hurts” Training Offered At The University Of Arkansas

 

The University of Arkansas recently paid a minimum of $40,000 for a training program that teaches students, faculty and staff to communicate "OUCH! That Stereotype Hurts,” according to Campus Reform. The training, provided free to all, is intended to teach participants how to identify and respond to stereotypes in today’s society. It consists of five parts, including a basic concept review, video on the impact of stereotypes, practice training with vignettes, methods to shut down hurtful conversation, and a final assessment. That is just what is needed today, instruction on how to “shut down hurtful conversation.”

 

The training posits that "Ouch communicates a lot with little effort," while introducing the idea of “Ouch and Educate.” The University’s news site notes that the training is “not required but highly encouraged," and adds that the school hopes participants will “gain communication skills for promoting inclusion and respect.” Yes, nothing promotes inclusion and respect like shutting down conversation.

 

The training program also helpfully illustrates a situation where bellowing “OUCH!” could be instrumental in resolving a stereotypical slight. The edifying vignette is as follows:

 

“So, about the holiday schedule.” 

“Let Jenny work the holiday shift. She’s single; she doesn’t have family.” 

“Ouch!”

 “What do you mean?” 

 “I know that you’re trying to help out the other employees, but is that fair to Jenny?”

 Poor Jenny.

This sounds fun though, let me try:

“Helping out someone just because they have a family with whom to spend a holiday? Ouch! What about childless single women?”

“Childless single women? Ouch! What about atheist transgenders?”

 “Atheist transgenders? Ouch! What about pan-gendered peoples of color (POCs) named Karen?”

 “Pan-gendered peoples of color (POCs) named Karen? Ouch! What about Tibetan-American non-binary bisexuals?”

"Tibetan-American non-binary bisexuals? Ouch! What about those in the mulatto, transexual, polyamorous, bestiality community?”

“Those in the mulatto, transexual, polyamorous, bestiality community? Ouch!...”

                                 [Ad Infinitum…Fade]

Biden Administration To Allow LGBTQ Pride Flags At U.S. Embassies, Consulates

 

Secretary of State Antony Blinken recently announced that the Biden administration has given blanket authorization allowing U.S. embassies and consulates around the world to fly LGBT pride flags …on the same official flag poles that fly the Star-Spangled Banner. Yes, the “rainbow” flag — a symbol of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender pride — will henceforth be permitted to proudly wave from the very same staffs that display the American flag.

Blinken sent out a cable reversing his predecessor’s policy and granting "blanket written authorization ... to display the Pride flag on the external-facing flagpole, for the duration of the 2021 Pride season," according to a report by ABC News. The authorization came five weeks before Pride Month is celebrated in June and about three weeks before the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHTB) on May 17^th.

It is in no way homophobic, transphobic or biphobic to note that the American flag itself is supposed to represent all Americans, regardless of race, gender or sexual preference. Blinken would never think of allowing a “Proud Boys” flag to grace the same official pole as Old Glory. Nor should he. There is no reason to do so, much as there is no need to fly a White Pride, Heterosexual Pride or Christian Pride flag at U.S. diplomatic facilities around the globe. It would be just as ridiculous to allow an AFL-CIO banner, a Dallas Cowboys pennant or a streamer proclaiming “Electricians Do It Better” to share space with the flag that symbolizes the nation to which so many gave the last full measure of devotion.

Don’t like traditional gender roles or sexual preferences? We’re all happy for you. But many of the rest of us have some pride, too. And dignity.

 

Democrats To Americans: Screw You

 

A serious question: How is it that any Democrats ever get elected to national office? Cheating now leaps to mind, but, other than that? Their policies fly in the face of the beliefs and values of a distinct and measurable majority of Americans. But they don’t even care about the poll numbers.

           Most Americans are adamantly against defunding the police, African-Americans included. Most Americans are against Democrat plans to pack the Supreme Court. Most Americans are against leaving their border(s) open and rewarding those who choose to come here illegally by giving them free goods and services. Most Americans are against the concept and practice of unlimited immigration. At least a slight majority of Americans realize that abolishing the oil, gas, and coal industries and enacting the Green New Deal will destroy their nation’s economy and dramatically worsen their lives-- and those of their descendants. And most Americans do not believe man-caused global warming/climate change is an existential threat to their country or the planet as a whole.

            The large majority of Americans are against late-term and “after-birth” abortions.

 Etc., etc., etc.

 And Democrats reply, “Frankly, Americans, we don’t give a damn!”

 And they somehow end up in office, anyway.

 Who should be “pushing back,” Maxine? Who should be taking to the streets in protest, Kamala?

 

China Demands Visitors Take Its Own Vaccine

 

Want to go to China? Do you have to travel to China for business reasons? So sorry! If you found the thought of an anal-swab COVID test unpleasant, you aren’t going to like the latest news from the Middle Kingdom. China will allow foreigners to enter the country, but apparently only if they have gotten a COVID-19 vaccine that was made in China. China has directed its embassies around the world to issue visas only to travelers who comply with that mandate.

Nicholas Thomas, an associate professor in health security at the City University of Hong Kong, told CNN that the policy is “Very much at the sharp end of vaccine diplomacy.” (Very punny.) This is especially unfortunate since no Chinese-made vaccine has yet been approved for human use in the U.S., and likely will not be in the near future. Nor have any of the five different Chinese vaccines been approved by the WHO, partially due to the fact that the Chinese government steadfastly refuses to release the results of Stage 3 trials — a necessary requirement for vaccine approval in the United States and other western nations.

Sinovac, one of the Chinese vaccines, was touted as having an effectiveness rate of 78 percent, but a stage 3 trial conducted in Brazil found it to be only 50.39 percent effective, a rate lower than any other vaccine on the market. As even CNN noted, this means China can’t realistically claim its desire to have all visitors agree to be injected with a Chinese vaccine is due to its effectiveness.

City University’s Thomas is among those that see China’s new visa rules as a “power move” designed to pressure individuals-- and nations-- to accept the vaccines. Sarah Chan, a reader in bioethics at the University of Edinburgh’s College of Medicine, states the obvious: if someone’s livelihood depends on traveling to China for work, they will almost certainly feel that they must take one of the vaccines, despite their limited and unimpressive track record.

But, hey, what could go wrong? Queue up travelers! Present arms! Take that Chinese vaccine deep into your bloodstreams. So what if China loosed the virus on the world, the same virus for which it is now ostensibly vaccinating you. So what if China is our biggest adversary?

Would Americans in World War II have agreed to receive “vaccinations” from the Japanese military or the Nazis? I am not accusing the Chinese Communist government of anything here. I’m just saying this is an odd and unreasonable request.

But forget the vaccines. China could send out a new and deadly virus every other year or so in perpetuity…and likely be cheered on by the Democratic Party, which will continue to see its power enhanced by keeping “deplorables” locked down until the sun expires.

 

Cheese Is Racist!

 

English environmentalists in Brighton and Hove are attempting to get schools to serve more plant-based school meals by citing the environmental impact of animal agriculture and fishing industries… and, you guessed it, the inherent racism of dairy products.

The petition, started by Alison Plaumer of Extinction Rebellion (sounds like the lead singer of a hard rock band), claims that “Animal agriculture and fishing industries are leading causes of deforestation, ocean dead zones, water pollution, biodiversity loss and species extinction. Not only that, intensive animal farming poses a significant threat for the development of new pandemics and for furthered antibacterial resistance to emerge.”

And the racist diary products?

Speaking to the city council in March, Plaumer said: “Arguably, there is a racist element to serving dairy too much because 65 percent of the world’s population are lactose intolerant, many from the BAME (black, Asian and minority ethnic) community.” He noted, “Loads of parents around here give lots of support to this.” (“Scads?” “Tons?” “Great heaping gobsful?”)

Plaumer added, “What do children want? They want action. They want it now.” Really? They may want action, but not plant-based meals. They want more Velveeta and a glass of chocolate milk.

But Plaumer does have a point. I mean, cows are mainly raised in rural areas, right? And who lives in rural areas and raises cows? White people, of course! It’s no use trying to butter them up, because all white people are racist…and butter is, too! Do you really think it’s a coincidence that milk is white?

The highway system is racist, syrup is racist, math is racist, and dairy products are racist? Ignorance such as this appalls and saddens me, but no longer shocks me. It does cheese me off, however.

So, the next time someone asks, "Who cut the cheese?" you will know the answer. "A racist. A racist cut the cheese."

I’ll close now. I’ve milked this story for all it’s worth.

They're Coming For You, Too

 

Then they came for Jesus.

It was not enough for Black Lives Matter types and assorted other thugs and vandals to deface and/or topple statues of America’s founders last summer. They then decided to cancel Jesus, too. They defaced a statue of the Lord in Whitefish, Montana, and decapitated another outside a Catholic church in Miami, Florida. In addition, many Christian churches around the country have been the victims of vandalism and malicious attack. These domestic terrorists have been aided, abetted and praised by leading Democrats at every step. Democrats who believe those who wish to conserve America’s statues, history and traditions are the real domestic terrorists.

Democrats, who believe that calling the coronavirus the “Chinese Virus” is a cardinal sin but that calling their Republican colleagues the “enemy” is perfectly acceptable, seem to be avidly following Communist China’s model for how to treat political opponents and subdue a citizenry. To Democrats, the coronavirus was a gift of unprecedented proportions, affording them another crisis to utilize in their unceasing attempts to permanently control the previously uppity populace over which they reign.

To put it mildly, many Democrats are not big fans of God. Competition, you know. The same goes for the CCP (Chinese Communist party), whose leaders have recently mandated that all citizens who have received any benefits from the government due to the coronavirus pandemic must take down any crosses, pictures or statues of Jesus in their homes, and replace them with statues or pictures of President Xi Jinping or Chairman Mao.

So, my fellow Americans, the way things are going under Chairman Joe, don’t be surprised if there is a knock on your door sometime soon, and you see a member of the Deep State standing on your doorstep.

You didn’t really need that picture of Jesus—or mom and dad—hanging above the couch, did you? Wouldn’t a picture of Biden, Harris, or Pelosi look better there, comrade? Hmm? Be careful how you answer.