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Samizdata quote of the day Double-standards – more double-standards: do you remember Stephen Fry and a whole bunch of others railing about the winter Olympics being held in Sochi, in Russia, because of Vladimir Putin’s supposed homophobia? I’ve never taken much of an interest in the Winter Olympics, nor has most of Britain actually, it’s not a hugely popular event. And at the very moment he was ranting about Russia, the cricket world cup, a game we do play a lot of, was getting under way in Bangladesh, where the penalty for same-sex relationships is life imprisonment. In Russia, it’s legal.
The Bangladesh escape censure because it’s an Islamic country, and the lefties never wish to be nasty about Islamic countries. More recently, you will have heard them all screeching about the horrible Democratic Unionist Party and their homophobia and how utterly ghastly they are. But again they make no comment whatsoever about the approach to homosexuality in the Islamic world and within the Muslim communities. That is never mentioned.
– Rod Liddle
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See also: this.
It’s their culcher, innit?
Interesting link, the other rob. Thanks.
It’s Rod Liddle.
The OP quote is one example among many. It’s impossible to take seriously a Joss Whedon or a George Takei or the whole crowd of them who claim their passionate opposition to ‘homophobia’ motivates them to adore Obama and Clinton (who were “one man and one woman” people in 2012) and hate Trump (who was a public “I’m fine with it” guy in 1999). Excusing muslims is merely a recent – and yet more sinister – part of a pattern of prostituting these issues to a virtue-signalling political agenda that couldn’t care less about the very things they scream at you for. Hating the deplorables for social pleasure and political profit is the beginning and end of it.
it is about race. The “anti-racists” hold “white” countries to “higher standards” which is utterly racist because they it is almost like expecting lower standards from the “savages”. These people somehow combine this with finding it totally unacceptable to do anything other than criticise Nineteenth Century types for doing a slightly different form of the same thing. Both regarding the inhabitants of certain parts of the World as intrinsically savage is (C19) is much the same as giving them a bye on their lack of decentness nowadays is it not? It is regarding them as just savages and holding other parts of the World to much higher standards. I think that is racism.
Niall, please. One doesn’t bring it up in polite company of course, but never disparage the allure of Filthy Lucre. /tease
Well said, NickM.
It is pure cowardice.
A flabby faced coward like Stephen Fry knows he can mock Putin all he likes and will never suffer for it. If he takes on islam, sooner or later an attempt will be made on his life.
The reason islam is advancing is because it kills people who oppose it. Everything else is just noise.
Because the left is the enemy of western civilisation. So are the muslims. They are allies of convenience but both wish to see us destroyed for their own reasons.
This is why the wearing of the hijab is the newest form of feminist expression.
The left seems to associate Islam with race – which is absurd as a Muslim can be of any skin or eye colour (Islam is a religion), and Mohammed himself was known for being a very pale man – not an albino or anything like that, just a “white” man who had problems with the level of sunshine in Arabia (hence his need to keep covered up – as sunblock was not on sale at the time).
The left further associate being “non white” with being poor and “exploited” by the “Capitalist West” – in this way the left manage to associate being Muslim with being poor and “exploited” by the “Capitalist West”, even though Muslims may be white, and many non whites are wealthy (not poor) anyway. This is why the left give Islam a pass for “homophobia” and oppressing women (and so on) – remember the left do not really give a damn about homosexuals or women, the “Gay Liberation” and “Third Wave Feminist” stuff is just a way to attack the “Capitalist West” (standard Frankfurt School of Marxism tactics – to be found in most universities and, indeed, most schools for young children now).
There is also “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” – hence the wearing of the hijab and so on that bobby and others. Although they scream “Islamophobe” (in best Frankfurt School of Marxism fashion – although the actual word “Islamophobe” was created by the terrorist front organisation the “Muslim Brotherhood” known as “CAIR” in the United States) the left know that Islam is the enemy of the West – indeed the oldest enemy of the West, and as the left defines itself by its hatred of the West, it sees Islam as an ally in the cause of destroying the West.
The problem is that most of the cultural institutions of the West, the schools, the universities, the media (such as the accursed BBC)…… are controlled by the sworn enemies of the West – the left. Who are dedicated to the destruction of the West and will ally with anyone (even Islam) in order to destroy the West.
I do not see how the West (how we) get out of this situation alive. It is checkmate.
To those who deny that it is checkmate….
Why do British Conservatives not get rid of the BBC tax? Then have been long periods of time when they have had a majority in Parliament – and the BBC has been pumping out leftist propaganda since at least the early 1960s. so why n move to get rid of the BBC tax, or even to allow Conservative television and radio stations in the United Kingdom (in the U.K. all television and radio must be “unbiased”, i.e. leftist, by law).
And why do American Republicans (for example the recent increase in the Sales Tax in South Dakota) throw tax money as the government schools? Not that the private schools are always non leftist (far from it), but the government schools are always leftist – they are fanatically dedicated to teaching children to hate and despise everything the Republicans are supposed to stand for (and to get children to hate their parents – if those parents are conservative) so why do Republicans throw tax money at the brainwashing centres of their sworn enemies?
I suspect that many (most?) of the British Conservatives and American Republicans (and German Christian Democrats and on and on) have at least partly “internalised the ideology” of their enemies – they believe a lot of the leftist stuff themselves (hence such things as “Social Justice” at home and “Aid” for other countries).
In a situation where the left control the cultural institutions and are determined (fanatically determined) to use them to exterminate the West, and where “the right” have forgotten what they are supposed to stand for (ask a random British Conservative or American Republican to define the principles of limited constitutional government and the Rule of Law – most could NOT do it), it is hard to see how there is any hope.
True someone like Senator Ted Cruz could define the principles of limited constitutional government and the Rule of Law – but such people are rare now. And have little influence.
Which would include me. That which cannot go on forever, won’t.
There is still far too much slack and prosperity for real change to happen. But every bubble bursts eventually.
The left are very good at jumping in with a narrative at times of change, steering that change in the direction they prefer. Look at how Corbyn has benefitted from Conservative mistakes recently.
Look at the way they have used the tower block fire to make political capital.
They are very good at this. The right do not compete.
Julie near Chicago (July 1, 2017 at 10:58 pm: “never disparage the allure of Filthy Lucre.”
Indeed, and it is good that you remind us, but equally never disparage the allure of being the virtuous one greatly enjoying how virtuously you despise all the deplorables. Michael Mann made the sort of money, fame and career progress that most post-docs can only dream of out of being not statistically competent to work in climate science, but some of his childish behaviour suggests that the allure of virtue-signalling and caressing his own image is very attractive to him, even when it is pure and unalloyed with hope of financial gain.
Absolutely. The right do not compete, not at the moment. But as Margaret Thatcher showed, the right can compete, it just needs people who are actually trying to.
You have to know what the game is before you can win.
Lately, the right plays chess while the left is winning the hockey game. And then the right just looks baffled when the score’s announced.
Perry, the problem there is two-fold. A lot of the top names on the right are not in fact, of the right. They are in it for themselves and will switch sides in an instant for the right coin. And the other problem is that most of the rest won’t fight because they don’t want to fight. They want to win debates held under controlled environments. That isn’t fighting.
As is so often said, Niall, “It is difficult to argue with that.” 🙁 :>)
And it’s not just the muslims. A lot of African countries have laws against homosexuality.
And, before it was legalised by court order, the African-American vote was crucial in the 2008 referendum which rejected legalising gay marriage in California. Afterwards many African-Americans there reported being subjected to racist abuse by gays.
Bobby B,
You are waaay behind the curve. There a number of US feminist academics who praise FGM in Africa. I doubt many of them would be pleased if I came at their vulvas with a broken Coke bottle but one is and one isn’t culturally “authentic”. Seriously! Professors and that. They’d have a shock if they saw the “culturally inauthentic stuff I am. I cook pretty good Mexican and Chinese food (getting into Japanese and Polish/Czech) but I don’t care for quite a few of the delicacies of my native North East or of round here in the North West. Or the bizarre custom of well dressing.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Well_dressing
Even though that is native to round here and should be banned as pagan idolatry. Indeed amedieval pope tried. But it does no harm.
Bizarre may be
If one is thee;
But I am me,
And like th’idee.
😉
There are days when I’d kill for a stottie cake. There was a greasy spoon on the Westgate road that would hollow half of one out and put a full English in it. Magnificent!
Julie near Chicago (July 2, 2017 at 9:58 am): “As is so often said, Niall, “It is difficult to argue with that.” 🙁 :>) ”
I only wish this was more often said – but sadly there are those who find it easy to argue with me – and I assure all Samizdata commenters I do not mean them. 🙂
I like your poem (July 2, 2017 at 3:19 pm)
Bizarre may be
If one is thee;
But I am me,
And like th’idee.
A poetic version of ‘I am an individual, you are eccentric, he is weird’ ?
OK, other rob, you got me. I had to go Look It Up. The research turned up the fact that you can fill the “cakes” if desired. Pease Pudding was mentioned. I’ve always been curious about that, so of course I had to follow the trail. Sounds very good. I like split peas & lentils & such, nicely seasoned and served with plenty of Real Butter. But then almost anything is Better with Butter.
Lots of butter.
So now, what do you mean “put a full English in it”? Hungry minds want to know….
“Full English”. Oh, dear. War (s) will now commence.
“Full English” refers to the classic English cooked breakfast. The debates over what this should and should not contain, and how it should or should not be served, rival the controversies surrounding the Virgin Birth and propane vs charcoal.
Suggest you google ‘the fry up inspector’ to get a grasp of the breadth and complexity of this subject.
llater,
llamas
llamas
It’s a good thing that matters in Northern Ireland are less contentious, where there is no ‘Full English’ and any resemblance of it to the Ulster Fry is purely co-incidental.
llamas – I was not familiar with the fry up inspector, but had a look. That led me to The Fry Up Police and hilarity ensued. Thank you for the pointer.
Also, I’m now fucking starving and if SWMBO hadn’t already set out food for grilling, I would be raiding our precious stock of (proper) sausages, bacon, black pudding etc, to make one myself. I think it likely that she’ll get a surprise breakfast, later this week.
Well, thankee, Niall. Maybe Mr. Untermeyer will come back down here to Collect it for the next edition of Modern British and American Poetry. (If that’s the exact title. My paperback copy is around 60 years old, but it’s in one of the boxes that have taken over the house. )
Heh … I remember the “I am an individual, &c.,” and I suppose there’s an element of that, but in the context of NickM’s remark that mentions
:>)!
Yes Tomsmith.
A nine million Pound spending orgy on local government owned tower block turns it into a fire trap – and this is used by (the media and the education system – the Usual Suspects) as an argument for MORE statism.
Perry “the right has to want to compete” – agreed, and they do NOT.
Are Mr Gove and Boris Johnson campaigning for an end to such vile absurdities as government “Pay Review Bodies” – no, they are arguing for their pay demands to be accepted.
We (not just in Britain – but in the Western World generally) do not have an anti statist right – we have a “Me To” “right” supporting endless “Social Justice” (government spending and regulations). And we also have a Nazi “right” – ridiculing the very concepts of the Rule of Law and Limited Constitutional Government.
Mrs Thatcher would not be allowed to make speeches today – not without being forced out of her seat. And as for the Nazi “right” – even I did not suspect that the followers of Carl Schmitt (the Legal Positivists and co) would start winning over some libertarians to their cause.
I think it is desperation – the failure of the right in the election system to argue for real principles, makes people cynical about the whole concept of elections, and embrace dictatorship. One election – and then no more free elections.
Who would have thought that some Jews (of all people) would parrot (as truth) the lies of apologists for Germany in both World Wars (the lies of the de facto supporters of Ludendorff in the first and Hitler in the second) – people such as Harry Elmer Barnes.
Still it goes back to at least the 1960s – with Murray Rothbard writing a eulogy for Harry Elmer Barnes which is basically one-long-lie.
There is no hope in the “me to” Social Justice “right” and there is no hope in the “identity politics” “right” of Paul Gottfried and co.
For limited government (the Rule of Law) to have any chance at all people must ARGUE for it – and where are these people?
well, we know quite well why the idiots want to scrap the Pay ceiling, if “Public workers?” get the increase, the politicians will award themselves at least as much +50%.
I’ve liked Stephen Fry since I’ve “discovered” him on Jeeves and Wooster. And I liked QI because it was funny and even better, witty. But I find it annoying that at least 20% of the “true answers are really wrong.
Paul Marks said, “the left seem to associate Islam with race”.
To them, I remark that most Muslims are south east Asian, not Arab and not Persian, (As if they would know the difference between Arab and Persian). That leaves them dumbfounded and therefore blessedly silent.
Realize that the Left consider Leftist violence to be free speech, and Right-Wing free speech to be violence. And it’s more complicated than them simply being hypocridiots.
Why?
Why is that young girl in front of University screaming like someones ripping her soul out of her body…because someone disagrees on some subject?
Ayn Rand knew why, and hell, she died in ’82. It’s because of altruism, or rather, basing one’s ethics on altruism, Auguste Comte’s Otherism.
Leftism is a secular religion, and a cultish one at that, and the practitioners take The Narrative on faith because one isn’t permitted to think independently and question. Judgment and to discriminate is wrong in their world perspective. If you offer me an opposing opinion, I’ll evaluate it, but it’s not going to threaten my very being and essence. But these people have no self esteem. That is, esteem is to estimate, to assess. A good and healthy self esteem means that one has evaluated one’s own character based on standards, values, principles and actions. Relativism doesn’t allow standards, merely compulsory compliance.
But members of Generation Snowflake, being true collectivists, base their self-views on the (random) opinions of others who are, like they, “Keepers and Defenders of The Narrative”. Any argument that threatens The Narrative is literally an attack on their essence, their sense of being. This is why they consider non-conformity to their views an aggressive attack. This is why they can only exist in an echo chamber. This is why Donald Trump wants to throw gays in prison camps…or so they must believe. This is why rational explanations on the fallacies of the Left, like the “unfair” wage gap, goes ignored as if you’ve never proved it false…because it’s not an argumentative point, it’s religious dogma.
They must believe these things because their existence as an Otherist, an Altruist, depends on it. They are not concerned with facts, merely survival.
Well said, Thailover.
“the Left consider Leftist violence to be free speech, and Right-Wing free speech to be violence.”
This.
Paul Marks wrote:
Who would have thought the Jews would support the political Left in America when the Left hate Israel, lie about it continuously, and LOOOVE the Arab Palastinians. The same Palastinians the other Muslim nations don’t help, but use as political pawns.
Laird said, “well said Thailover”.
Thanks.
Gentlepersons*,
Thanks a lot for the information on “the Full English,” and adding more on a proper Irish breakfast. I see that in Ulster they like their blood pudding at breakfast. I have no problem with the idea, being delighted with a good blood-and-tongue sausage (“good” being the operative word), sadly not really available hereabouts. And there was once a place in one of the suburbs that specialized in Irish and British food. I tried their blood sausage, figuring I’d probably like it (if it’s food, I’ll try it, but Eyeball Stew isn’t food). I didn’t, so much, but it wasn’t because of the blood).
No. The problem with the Ulster Breakfast is that the blood pudding has an oatmeal filler.
I hate oatmeal. In fact I don’t like any cereal fillers in my sausage, which leaves knishes and also Real German Bratwurst right out. Blast!
*I hope you folks see the lengths to which I will go *g* in search of PC-friendly terms of address. In this case I refer to llamas, Mr Ed, and the other rob. It would be sexist to assume that any of these persons are men (in fact llamas has confessed to being an old granny living in Queens, except when there are 12′ of snow to be shovelled in Michigan), and also to assume that one or more are female.
In fact, I suppose I’m being speciesist to assume that they are human at all. But at least the ptarmigans aren’t on our case about it yet. Unlike several termagants of whom we’re unfortunately aware….
I see that in Ulster they like their blood pudding at breakfast.
No, that’s the south of Ireland. In Ulster, at least in Belfast, it’s always potato farls and soda bread along with the usual fried meats and eggs.
Julie:
Dr Samuel Johnson:
Quite where that leaves the good folk of Ulster…
In Scotland, what I was informed was a “Full English Breakfast” included haggis (but no potatoes). I enjoyed it very much (except for the blood pudding: not a fan). Julie, you probably wouldn’t like haggis, as its main filler is oatmeal, but I like it a lot (and there’s nothing in it which has the “mouthfeel”: of ordinary cooked oatmeal, although I like that, too). Unfortunately it’s impossible to get Scottish haggis in the US; our beneficent government has banned its importation (apparently on some spurious health-related claims), although I seem to recall reading recently that this ban might be lifted, or at least relaxed. I certainly hope so; at present the only haggis I can get here is canned in Texas!
Some hotels here offer a full Scottish, which is full English with maybe Scottish options like haggis, but if the haggis came regardless, not as an “and you can also add some haggis” option, then calling it “Full English Breakfast” is a bit weird.
Originally, haggis was a delicacy (believe it or not!) and not for breakfast. The authentic Scottish breakfast is porridge.
Haggis must be well-cooked to be tolerable. Restaurant haggis can be good – since you like it, maybe try orchard haggis (repeated layers of haggis, thin-sliced apple and cream). However the “haggis and bashed neaps” that my school served every Burns night is still seared into my memory.
But, but … but — Matra and Laird — I have this on the authority of The Belfast Telegraph, via Mr Ed’s link to The Ulster Breakfast above. The column discusses the proper elements of (its idea of) an Ulster Breakfast, including this excerpt:
.
As for haggis, I’ve always been curious to try that too. And I’m still willing to try it, Laird, since by your account I might conceivaby be unable to detect the oatmeal.
Now, as for the law and Texas-canned haggis: Somewhere I have a recipe for the stuff, I think. If so, and if I can find it, I would be happy to send it to you. It will be up to you, of course, to provide the sheep’s stomach. Let me know when you are going to make it, and Samantha Misty SlipperKitty and I will tootle right on down there. (Just in case, please also include properly roasted duck in the meal, with plenty of nice crisp skin, and mashed or mashed sweets, or both, of course with plenty of butter. I can supply the World’s Best-Ever Southern Pecan Pie. Which my Dad always made at Christmas, The recipe is also included in the Farm Journal’s Complete Pie Cookbook.)
Thank you. You’re very kind. :>)))
Mr Ed,
Quite.
:>))
Julie, much as I like duck (and I do), as far as I know it’s not properly served with haggis. At least not on Burns Night. But if I should try my hand at making some (unlikely, to be honest, but who knows?) you’d certainly be welcome to join me in eating it.
But not my wife. She hates haggis, and won’t allow me to cook it while she’s in the house. People can be so unreasonable! (She feels the same about kidneys, by the way. Go figure.)
See, I told you it would start wars.
Historical question – when did the term “full English” come into common usage? In the gritty Sarf London caffs of my youth, the term ‘English’ for breakfast was unknown – there was only one form of breakfast and everyone knew what it was, even the guy making it although he was like as not a Maltese or Cypriot.
My first recollection of the term “Full English” is of hotel menus in the 80s, presumably to differentiate from the effete and inadequate ‘Continental’ variety.
Who has earlier references?
llater,
llamas
Laird,
You have my sympathy, that’s offal.
I’m picturing some poor herder who has just finished butchering one of his lord’s cattle. All the edible parts have been packed off to the castle for the lord’s consumption, and the gaunt herder looks over to the steaming pile of guts left on the ground.
I cannot fathom the raw hunger that would have led that first haggismaker to think “if I chop up the slithery parts, clean out the stomach, and pack the chopped stuff inside, we could eat it”.
Maybe it’s a noble testament to man’s will to survive.
Of course, I’m about to leave for a “Brexit 1776” party where I’ll eat roasted pig’s butt and drink beverages full of yeast-pee, so I suppose it’s all relative.
But, still . . .
Well, I don’t think you should stick on side, young bobby. Up by you, they eat lutefisk & think it a treat!
Bobby wrote:
As the name implies, my weakness is Thai food, which requires fish sauce. Indeed, fish sauce is fundamental to all south east Asian cooking, and like sausage making, to enjoy fish sauce one mustn’t look into how it comes about. Something like, toss fish onto salt, wait for it to utterly rot and collect the slimy brown liquid which oozes and bleeds forth…
There are good fish sauces and poorer quality fish sauces, whereby the good ones involve exposure to the hot sun and elements during putrefaction. Makes ones mouth water, doesn’t it?
There is always the emulsified-high-fat offal tube, of course, which sustains not only the British.
Unless one doesn’t mind giving up food altogether, perhaps one should occupy one’s mind with more congenial topics than its origins and preparation. Even the vegans should take heed. Especially if they are organic vegans. So to speak. :>))