Society's ChildS


Bizarro Earth

Ryan Anderson: Having Genital Preferences Is Now 'Transphobic'

Jonathan V. Last
The Weekly Standard
Tue, 06 Feb 2018 00:00 UTC
Transgender
© Drew Angerer/Getty Images
Ryan T. Anderson talks about the "transgender moment," the difference between people with gender dysphoria and transgender activists, and how it's now bigoted to prefer one set of genitalia over another.

Ryan T. Anderson is the Heritage Foundation's William E. Simon Senior Research Fellow and one of my favorite writers in Washington. He's got an uncanny ability to combine razor-sharp arguments with kindness and good faith. He's the best kind of public intellectual: One who tries to clarify ideas that are clouded with illogic without ever trying to score points, or grab any weapon at hand.

His new book on the transgender political project is titled When Harry Became Sally: Responding to the Transgender Moment and it's the most important book yet written on the subject. I talked with him about it over email recently. Here's a transcript of our conversation.

Comment: When the world was surprised at this transgender activism phenomenon, Prof. Jordan Peterson stood up to challenge the phenomenon and the political, educational establishment that mindlessly supports it. The battle is not yet over, but the irrational nature of the extremist demands of the transgender activists is being exposed more and more each day.

See also:

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Bad Guys

It's time to admit the US war in Afghanistan is total nonsense

Jonathan Marshall
Consortium News
Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:00 UTC
US troops in Afghanistan
© Omar Sobhani / ReutersUS troops in Afghanistan July 7, 2017.
Whatever happened to the Donald Trump who tweeted in 2013, "Let's get out of Afghanistan ... we waste billions there. Nonsense!"

And whatever happened to the reality TV star who used to tell under-performers, "you're fired"?

Today, as commander in chief, President Trump is indefinitely extending the Afghan war's record as the longest in U.S. history. He's wasting $45 billion to wage it this year alone. And he's not even thinking of firing his huckster generals who claim that sending a few thousand more troops and stepping up the bombing will be a "game changer."

Much like the Vietnam War, every day's news of war from Afghanistan puts the lie to optimistic claims of a military solution. A recent BBC study concluded that Taliban forces are now active in 70 percent of the country, more than at any time since the end of 2001. Unofficial U.S. estimates of their strength have soared from about 20,000 in 2014 to at least 60,000 today.
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Bullseye

A leftist who comes in from the cold of leftist culture

Bailey Lamon
Medium
Tue, 20 Feb 2018 00:00 UTC
freedom
I will always believe in "The Revolution". But I am becoming very frustrated with modern "activist" culture.

First of all, I'm tired of watching people turn into pretentious assholes who think their activism makes them better than everyone else, even those oppressed and marginalized groups with whom they claim "allyship".

If you've ever worked in the shelter system, or any field that serves those deemed as oppressed or marginalized in any way, such as abuse victims, the homeless, or people who struggle with addictions and/or mental illness (just a few examples)...one of the first things you learn is that they usually do not frame their worldviews in terms of academic theories you learned in gender studies classes in University. For the most part, they tend to not analyze their experiences in terms of systemic power and privilege, concepts such as "the patriarchy", "white privilege", or "heteronormativity". While many of these folks are directly impacted by class inequality and do realize it, they are likely not spending their days and nights reading Karl Marx, educating themselves on the intricacies of capitalism. They do not sit around pondering the effects of "problematic behaviours" in radical communities. They are not concerned with checking their privilege. No. They are busy trying to survive. Getting through the next day. Meeting their basic needs such as food, shelter and hygiene. They do not bother with policing their language and worrying about how their words might unintentionally perpetuate certain stereotypes. They are more concerned with their voices being heard in the first place.
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Russian Flag

Team Russia wins hockey gold at Olympics for first time in 26 years - Players and fans defy IOC by singing national anthem


RT
Sun, 25 Feb 2018 22:45 UTC
russia gold hockey olympics
GOLD! This one's for you, John McCain!
The Russian hockey squad, which won Olympic gold in a tight, nerve-racking overtime game against Germany, defied the IOC ban at the awards ceremony and sang the words of the national anthem over the Olympic Hymn.

The Olympic hockey final turned out to be a real thriller, with the Russians winning on an overtime goal by Kirill Kaprizov - now hailed as a national hero. The Russian hockey players, who competed in South Korea under a neutral flag, beat Germany 4-3.

The Olympic flag, with its five interlocked rings, was raised in honor of the Olympic Athletes from Russia (OAR) team as the players were awarded their gold medals. But the whole squad along with fans in attendance sang the Russian national anthem, drowning out the Olympic Hymn, despite the IOC banning the country's athletes from any public activities associated with the national flag, anthem, and other symbols at the Olympics in PyeongChang.


Comment: Butt-hurt ultra-liberals everywhere be spitting mad! Slava Rossiya!

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Gear

Progress? Kurdish SDF forces to relinquish control over Manbij to Syrian Army


Sputnik
Sun, 25 Feb 2018 13:12 UTC
Kurdish SDF Forces
© REUTERS/ Rodi Said
Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic forces (SDF) have agreed on the transfer of control over the northeast city of Manbij in the Aleppo province to the Syrian army that will enter the city in the coming days, a Kurdish security source told Sputnik on Saturday.

"The agreement was reached, under which the Syrian Arab Republic's army will enter the city of Manbij, controlled by the SDF," the source said.

On January 20, the Turkish General Staff announced the beginning of the Operation Olive Branch, aimed against certain Kurdish forces, in Afrin. Ankara considers the Democratic Union Party (PYD), a Kurdish political party in northern Syria, and Kurdish People's Protection Units (YPG) militia affiliates of the Turkish Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) listed as a terror organization in Turkey.

Comment: It is quite possible that the Kurds are beginning to see the futility of acting as a proxy force for the US and making enemies of two nations that it is literally surrounded by: Syria and Turkey.

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People

Bad idea: UK home secretary announces plans to increase migrant numbers, vows to open borders


RT
Fri, 23 Feb 2018 15:38 UTC
refugees coming to the UK
© Neil Hall / ReutersNumber of refugees coming to the UK should be increased according to Amber Rudd
The UK could take in thousands more refugees after an initial 20,000 from Syria, according to the home secretary. So far, 10,538 people have been housed in the UK but the government is planning to double that figure by 2020.

An expansion of the Syrian Vulnerable Persons Relocation Scheme (VRPS) could prove controversial for the May administration, and would be surprising after the government refused to honor the Dubs Agreement pledge to take 3,000 migrant children.

However, after a trip to Lebanon, Amber Rudd claims she will consider upping that figure to welcome many more. Ms. Rudd said: "20,000 is definitely achievable by 2020, and I hope that we may get there earlier than that in fact. At the moment I am consulting with stakeholders and really engaging with other departments to decide what we should have to replace that when we go forward after 2020."

Comment: You'd think by now that more English and European leaders would see the sense of helping those in need where they are - instead of trying to 'integrate them' into a society that has its own problems. Or, better yet, stop financing and executing the wars that even creates the migrant and refugee problem in the first place.

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Russian Flag

Financial Times: Moscow in #6 slot of top 10 European cities

Ed Peters
Russia Insider
Thu, 22 Feb 2018 00:00 UTC
Moscow
Moscow has grown into a very pleasant city to live and work in, believe us, we live here

Based on economic opportunities, quality of life, transport and Internet accessibility, Moscow is rated sixth best in Europe and number one in Eastern Europe.

The following clip taken from Russian nightly news, with transcript below describes the perks of living in Moscow.


Comment: So Moscow has seen improvements in infrastructure, social services, education, healthcare, esthetic beauty and, overall, it seems, quality of life. What a concept. Maybe the US can take a lesson or two from the policies and intentions of Russian governance that actually seek to make life better for its people.

See: Russia's remarkable renaissance (and why the West is seeking to crush it)

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Attention

Helicopter carrying fuel cargo is wrecked after emergency landing in Siberia but all five on board escape alive (PHOTOS)


The Siberian Times
Sun, 25 Feb 2018 21:08 UTC
Helicopter attempts emergency landing in Siberia and all five escape alive
Mi-8 emergency landing at Cape Arctic, extreme north of Krasnoyarsk Krai
Helicopter suffers extensive damage and blades snap off - but only one injury.

Pictures show the devastating damage to the KrasAvia helicopter at Cape Arctic in the extreme north of Krasnoyarsk region.

The Mi-8's tail hit an obstacle as it landed in the remote outpost, carrying a cargo of fuel barrels from Khatanga.

Comment: Other aircraft incidents which have occurred in just the last few months: Others which have happened in the last few years:

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Bad Guys

'Attack against Christians': Jerusalem church closes in protest of new Israeli tax, land policies


RT
Sun, 25 Feb 2018 17:08 UTC
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
© Kristina Afanasyeva / SputnikThe Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.
The Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, where Jesus is believed to have been crucified and buried, shut down indefinitely on Sunday in protest against a new Israeli tax policy and draft law on land expropriation.

The leaders of Roman Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Armenian churches announced the closure of the holy site in a joint statement, accusing Israel of a "systematic and unprecedented attack against Christians in the Holy Land."

A bill which would allow the authorities to expropriate land that was sold to private firms by churches in Jerusalem since 2010 was to be considered by the Israeli government on Sunday. The Jerusalem city authorities have also recently cancelled tax exemptions granted to church-owned commercial properties and are now demanding back payments.
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Rainbow

Gay rights group boycotts London Pride because it isn't "diverse" enough


RT
Fri, 23 Feb 2018 20:40 UTC
london pride
© Neil Hall / ReutersPeople in Soho relax following the annual Pride in London Parade, in London, Britain
Gay rights group Stonewall has pulled out of London's biggest LGBTQ event over claims there is not "enough diversity" at the march. The group says it will march instead with UK Black Pride.

Every year, the gay community in London - and many from further afield - come together to celebrate being able to live openly as homosexuals. In 2017, more than 26,000 people attended the event which attracts singers and performers, as well as attractions and partying across the UK capital.

However, Stonewall has entered a spat with the Pride organizers over claims they were ignored when they called for changes. Pride's organizers rejected concerns raised by its advisory board last year that non-white communities were not included enough.

Now, Stonewall said it will pull support from Pride and march instead with UK Black Pride. A Stonewall spokeswoman said: "We know this is an event that's important to many in our communities and very much hope to attend in future years. However last year, Pride in London's community advisory board again raised concerns about the lack of diversity and inclusion at Pride in London - particularly of black and minority ethnic communities.

Comment: What exactly is the issue here? The complaint is vague. Did Stonewall just take a look around not see enough black and brown people? Maybe that's just because there are more white LGBT people in London in general. Regardless, this is still a priceless example of the "diversity" camp eating its own. It's the inevitable result of identity politics: ever in conflict, ever fracturing, and never achieving what it claims to want - diversity.

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