Blazingcatfur – Page 5280

The truth about Afghan women – The media has focused on a few feminists in Kabul

When I think about the West’s project to liberate Afghan women, my mind conjures a line from T.S. Eliot: “The last temptation is the greatest treason/to do the right deed for the wrong reason.” In Afghanistan, we engaged in a twenty-year, deliciously self-righteous, tragically ill-designed mission best expressed by flipping that sentence.

We did the wrong thing, perhaps for the right reason. We wanted to develop that country and rescue Afghan women. Their lives were hellish, girls banned from school, women forbidden to leave their homes except in the company of a male guardian, vigilantes beating them with sticks if their burqa was too short. We wanted them to enjoy the pleasures of modernity and live full, happy lives.

Start rubbing the Malala Totem that’ll fix it!

by Blazingcatfur•September 18, 2021September 17, 2021•0•Afghanistan

Will Aukus lead to conflict with China?

Tensions were already building in the Indo-Pacific.

The Indo-Pacific region has emerged as the global hub for wealth creation and innovation since China joined the World Trade Organisation in 2001. Since then, there have been plenty of geopolitical disputes in the area. Yet even in this tense context, we were all taken by surprise on Wednesday with the launch of Aukus, a new security pact linking Australia, the UK and US.

by Blazingcatfur•September 18, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"China - Communist Slave State"

Men Are Bypassing College, and That’s Fine

A Wall Street Journal story earlier this month explained how a generation of young men is abandoning college.

America’s universities now enroll roughly three women for every two men, the largest gender gap in the history of higher education, and it’s getting even wider.

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"Worse Than Hitler", "You're A Nazi"

CA county to ban 911 calls “based on bias”

Out in Santa Cruz County, California, the Board of Supervisors has passed a new municipal ordinance involving 911 calls. They want residents to know that they are free to call the emergency services line if they see something suspicious, but if it involves a person of color, the caller may wind up getting hit with a fine of up to $1,000.

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•WTF?

GUNTER: Erin O’Toole playing the fool

If he doesn’t believe in his platform, why believe in him?

Want to know why Stephen Harper won three elections (even though two were just won minorities) and Erin O’Toole likely will not win this one?

It’s because, when the liberal establishment — political and media — squawked about some right-of-centre Conservative policy, Harper stood his ground. He ignored the liberal carping and whinging and paid voters the respect of explaining why his ideas would work.

The “We let the CBC tell us how to be the good conservatives party”

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"Another Damn Election"

How China Exports Authoritarianism

Beijing’s Money and Technology Is Fueling Repression Worldwide

… China’s international efforts to subvert democracy fall into three broad categories. The first includes its attempts to shape the narrative about China in developed countries. In nations ranging from Canada and Germany to Australia and Japan, Beijing aims to silence critics of China and amplify the voices of individuals and institutions that promote closer ties with Beijing or a more positive portrayal of China. Beijing wields both threats and inducements to this end, rewarding positive portrayals and punishing criticism. As the Chinese ambassador to Sweden admitted in 2019, “We treat our friends with fine wine, but for our enemies we have shotguns.”

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"China - Communist Slave State"

Insiders fear Conservatives are losing the election as party makes a last-minute appeal for help

OTTAWA—The Conservative campaign is making a last-minute appeal for more volunteers as the federal election heads into a crucial weekend for mobilizing supporters and getting out the vote.

But senior party sources are concerned about an “enthusiasm gap” among the party faithful, particularly in the GTA, that could cost the Conservatives in tight riding contests.

“I certainly see a lack of enthusiasm amongst the people I talk to,” said one Tory source, discussing the situation on the condition they not be identified.

It is the Star so take it with a grain or three of Salt.

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"Another Damn Election"

Diane Francis: Justin Trudeau’s track record of failure

The Trudeau Liberals have a track record of dismal leadership, yet this country has so much talent and potential

As Canadians go to the polls, it’s important to remind ourselves why Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau should never be prime minister again. Here are my picks, though this is far from a complete list of his government’s botch-ups and scandals.

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"Another Damn Election"

WTF?

Of all the things that never happened, this never happened the most pic.twitter.com/KRxJheDbFo

— Libs of Tik Tok (@libsoftiktok) September 15, 2021

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•WTF?

Yes, Covid Vaccines Seem to Be Working. But…

What we really need is a vaccine that targets part of the COVID virus that never mutates.

Many aspects of the COVID pandemic have been politicized, not least among them vaccines and specifically the issue of coercion. I know. Where I live some major municipalities including mine are requiring vaccine cards for everything from gyms to grocery stores; yet only 12% of the population qualifies, with those most likely to shop or use the gym least likely to be vaccinated. Idiocracy. But public policy should be based on science; not the other way around even as cognitive bias makes us perceive data to fit our worldview. So yes, it’s important to know if vaccination programs do seem to be impacting COVID breakouts regardless of whatever camp you’re in. And the answer, for now at least, appears to be yes.

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"China eats weird animals disease"

Papers can be served on Andrew’s US lawyer – judge

A judge has ruled that Prince Andrew’s US lawyer can be served with legal papers in a sexual assault case filed by Virginia Giuffre in New York.

It follows a dispute over whether the prince has been formally notified of the civil claim against him.

New York judge Lewis Kaplan ruled Ms Giuffre’s lawyers could take the US route to serve papers on the prince.

Ms Giuffre, 38, claims she was sexually assaulted by the prince at three locations including New York City.

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"Woke Royals"

The Theranos stories they don’t tell you about

Outrageous fraud is common in the world of venture capital

With so much media focus on Elizabeth Holmes — currently on trial for fraud — you might think that cases like these, of outright fraudsters raising huge money from gullible venture capitalists, are few and far between. But as a VC myself I can tell you: most venture funds have their own Theranos story — they just prefer to keep them quiet.

I admit to a fascination with the Theranos trial. This is an interesting report from a “Secret VC.”

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•Crime

Trudeau’s China record becomes security concern

There’s no clear reason for Canada not being part of a new defence and intelligence alliance by our three closest allies — the U.S., U.K. and Australia — as a check on China’s power.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says it’s mainly a deal to supply Australia with nuclear subs, of no interest to Canada.

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"Another Damn Election"

Biden Administration Blocks Rescue of Persecuted Christians from Afghanistan

The Biden administration is preventing the rescue of persecuted Christian minorities from the Islamic Emirate of Afghanistan, where they face certain and likely gruesome death.

This information surfaced on August 26, during an interview between Glenn Beck and Tucker Carlson on Fox News. Through his charity, the Nazarene Fund, Beck had chartered planes to airlift 5,100 Christians out of Afghanistan and into neighboring nations. Before long, however, U.S. officials intervened and prevented the escape of a group of 500 Christians, mostly women and children, who were ordered outside of Kabul airport’s protected area: “I have pictures of them pleading to get back through the gate,” Beck continued

by Blazingcatfur•September 17, 2021September 17, 2021•0•"Joe Sleazebag Biden", Afghanistan