As to the larger point about the EU, I've heard that argument many times, and perhaps the best response would be to simply point out that a "free trade zone with benefits", such as the EC was through the 80s, would have accomplished that goal -- and in fact did. People also point out other positive dimensions of the EU, such as consumer protections, environmental policy, or anti-monopoly measures, which are also undeniable. But the EU of today, anno 2022, is absolutely not the EC of the 80s. A silent slow-motion coup has taken place, and a profoundly anti-democratic technocratic supra-state is being erected. Anyone who resists loss of nation-state and popular sovereignty is depicted as a knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing ethno-centric xenophobe, especially by the woke "Left". However, the internal economic contradictions are growing and it's hard to see how this malignant project can last for much longer. So-called rightwing populists like Victor Orbán are probably our only hope.
I did not know that he was a WEF protege, thank you for pointing that out. All I can say is that Orbán does not appear to be pursuing the Great Reset agenda. He has not brought Hungary into the euro zone and is pursuing clearly nationalistic economic and foreign policies. It would seem he was not Klaus Schwab's best student :)
More than easy to do, for sure. Somewhere along the daily news trawls, I just happen to pick up on Orban. Best to just assume ALL these creatures are rotten and just playing their roles. Those who don't get in trouble, like the African PMs who got offed when they questioned the covid agenda.
It seems like everything was already in place around the world, just waiting for an ignition point like the virus. Then they all had the opportunity to spring into action and clamp down.
Brilliant analysis Colin. Thank you. I would post this as an "article," but must be mindful of not sending too many emails per day. "Malignant project," is the PERFECT phrase.
Thank you Celia! For the record, I voted against the proposed EU Constitution in the referendum held here in 2005, as did a majority of the Dutch, as did a majority of the French in the referendum held there that year as well. This outcome was ignored. A similar outcome could not be ignored in Ireland (it was binding), so the Irish were instructed to vote again to produce the desired outcome. The Constitution was enacted the following year under a different name, the Lisbon Treaty. Popular will be damned!
I was born and grew up in the US, and after living in Europe for more than 30 years I am shocked to realize that our democratic institutions are probably in worse shape than those of the US, as rickety as democracy may be there, as corrupt as Congress is. At the very least, US still has a somewhat independent judiciary and vigorous defense of states' rights. That we in the EU should be so lucky.
If I may add a personal note: been reading you since the late 80s, familiar with your work as a HIV/AIDS "dissident"; saw the piece in Harper's in 2006, then you fell off the radar. Was absolutely delighted to find your Substack last year.
The only reason that any formation of government could enact a "free trade zone with benefits" is because some formation of government limited or prevented that in the first place. If the preexisting conditions had been alleviated, i.e., the reduction of government controls, it would not have been necessary to form additional government to change it.
Now we see where this leads and it should be surprising to nobody. How is it that the simple idea of eliminating the existing restrictions could not have been achieved outside of the formation of additional government?
I like your description of what is depicted. That is indeed the case and it's strange that, at least "once upon a time in America", liberals resisted and fought *against* government. Now they embrace it and have become just as fervent of government evangelists as any neoconservative.
I don't know the politics of Victor Orban but the word "populist" stands out. That's also become a slur against people seeking "less government" in our lives. But I can tell you that the only people that I know about that advocate for "less government" have been roundly shouted down by both sides of the aisle.
Victor Orbán is what might in the US context be described as a small "r" republican, a cultural conservative and a patriotic nationalist, similar to Putin, one who likewise rejects the neoliberal consensus and pursues growth-oriented economic development, something facilitated by the fact that Hungary is not part of the euro zone and retains its own currency. All this brings him into direct conflict with Brussels, which prefers national leaders 100% submissive to the EU integrationist project. Worse from the EU perspective, he maintains cordial relations with Russia. Beyond the pale! Presidential elections are coming up later this year, and the EU will certainly wield its considerable power behind the scenes to try to get him replaced by a more compliant leader. Tucker Carlson traveled to Budapest late last year to interview Orbán, and you can find on YT several segments that were broadcast. These really need to be seen, if you want to know more about him.
I don't know why people can't come to terms with the FACT that the greatest common denominator of human misery has been government for all of history. History professor? Left, right, liberal, conservative, communist, capitalist?! I don't care what side you're on unless you're on the side of human liberty and freedom.
It's actually pretty easy to see where anyone is at. Do you advocate for more of what has caused human suffering or the minimalization of it?
From the very start, there has been, in my humble opinion, a very strong parallel with instigation/response from the civil rights movement. Whether they are using the same playbook and common sense response is causing the same countermovements, I'm not sure. But it has an echo or familiarity to the overall senses. Perhaps that's why some feel so strongly that there's a malevolent undertone in society. I feel that it IS as dire as the abolition or civil rights movements, because I don't feel it's so much about race as it is back to being about class, like the early days. But even simpler, it's about the illusion of class- which has been threatened greatly over the last few decades. If your mind is free, then you can be free, regardless of socio-economic status, to be in charge of your destiny. If your body, is not free (or sick) then because of the psychoneurobiologic connection, you can be enslaved to a constant state of survival mode. Which is when you'll do anything, say anything just to feel better or not feel any thing.
I don't know, I feel that we are indeed under that Chinese blessing- "may you be lucky enough to live in interesting times".
Very true but there are also those who know what they have done and continue to do it. There victims of their nefarious plans. Varying degrees of being victimized by the planners. Some of those victims lost their lives due to the suppression of early treatments.
I live in Amsterdam and was at that protest last Sunday. It was prohibited in advance by our (ugh) Green Party mayor. The police presence was massive. At precisely 1pm, like clockwork, a massive phalanx of riot police, with two water cannon trucks, cleared the park (Museumplein), kettled some protesters, whereupon the ugly but brief skirmishes took place, then, like clockwork, they packed it up and all drove off in their trucks and vans, leaving the huge crowd further in peace. It all had a theatrical quality to it. This isn't to trivialize the police violence, only to emphasize that they were basically just going through the motions. Who knows what is going on behind the scenes...
In the USA the left screams about "defund the police" while having zero interest in implementing any way to reduce the ability of police to intrude into our lives. In fact, when politically convenient the left here takes every opportunity to *increase* their ability to do so.
Meanwhile, on the right, they react with "nothing is wrong with police" and let's do the opposite of what the left demands, let's increase police power and presence... for our "safety".
So, once again, I am baffled at how anyone cannot see the common denominator. What we see in Austria, Australia, Germany, France, UK, USA, is massive oppression using the police... for our "safety".
Here in the USA we have an additional "insult" to bear in that regard. Our police take an oath to defend our constitution and to not follow illegal orders. That has been clearly demonstrated to be a farce for anyone that cares to see it.
Wow, a cartoon character in the comments section, spitting out clichés and virtue signaling with the best of ‘em. "Hate speech"? Give us a break, please.
I'm not even "bashing the police", I'm pointing out observations of the situation that have been well covered in cases too numerous to count. Call what you'd like. In any event, we cannot conduct a civilized society without them, so maybe the real solution -- to which neither side of the aisle has any interest -- would be the reduction of their ability to intervene in our lives in so many ways?
It's not "certain police" either. Rather it is department, city, county and state wide policies that enable the ease of intervention. Of course it doesn't help that individual officers take advantage of that power very enthusiastically.
But again, it is the policies, the law and the precedent that allows the abuse to continue and is precisely not on anyone's list of things to address.
You seem to know more than everybody here, John H, while making loud and obnoxious pronouncements about others and their observations, including those who witnessed events live in person. Why don’t you write more than two sentences for once and tell us all the specifics of what you know. We’ll expect many more clichés and virtue signaling while you’re at it, since those are clearly your forte.
This has never been about public health, it has always - from the outset - been a cat's paw for the imposition of totalitarian rule. And the governments engaged in it must be overthrown and driven from power, and never again be allowed to get into a position to do anything like this, period.
I wonder what you friend believes now Celia after witnessing the myth of his original perception?
The EU was the formation of the Fourth Reich according to many who had the insight to realize the dangers of an unelected body taking control and removing the sovereinty of it's members.
This is horrifying. And yes, some of us have good common sense and listen to our gut, and end up being way more aware of events than even the most studied History PhDs. They can't apparently see the forest for the trees, or something.
Across the board. I was working at a community college, among PhDs etc. Not a one questioned the narrative from day one. Now they are all covid death culters.
It's like dealing with a stalker. That same energy. But there are too many of us to enforce harassment on all. Or, rather, we will find ways to weave and dodge.
John, I see no other way out of this except for the Lord's intervention. I pray and seek His guidance and His will for me during this time. But He is sovereign over history, and so I watch, repent and pray...
As to the larger point about the EU, I've heard that argument many times, and perhaps the best response would be to simply point out that a "free trade zone with benefits", such as the EC was through the 80s, would have accomplished that goal -- and in fact did. People also point out other positive dimensions of the EU, such as consumer protections, environmental policy, or anti-monopoly measures, which are also undeniable. But the EU of today, anno 2022, is absolutely not the EC of the 80s. A silent slow-motion coup has taken place, and a profoundly anti-democratic technocratic supra-state is being erected. Anyone who resists loss of nation-state and popular sovereignty is depicted as a knuckle-dragging, mouth-breathing ethno-centric xenophobe, especially by the woke "Left". However, the internal economic contradictions are growing and it's hard to see how this malignant project can last for much longer. So-called rightwing populists like Victor Orbán are probably our only hope.
Agree with your basic point. But as to rightwing/populists Orban, consider that he is one of Schwab's/WEF's Young Global Leaders:
https://rairfoundation.com/exposed-klaus-schwabs-school-for-covid-dictators-plan-for-great-reset-videos/
Looks like classic controlled opposition. Left wing, right wing, same bird. Hard to know who you can ever actually trust.
I did not know that he was a WEF protege, thank you for pointing that out. All I can say is that Orbán does not appear to be pursuing the Great Reset agenda. He has not brought Hungary into the euro zone and is pursuing clearly nationalistic economic and foreign policies. It would seem he was not Klaus Schwab's best student :)
So it seemed for awhile. But now recently we see things like this:
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/hungarian-pm-orban-promotes-covid-vaccine-says-unvaxxed-will-die/
Looks suddenly like the Great Reset is going down in Hungary after all.
Oh dear. Missed that :(
More than easy to do, for sure. Somewhere along the daily news trawls, I just happen to pick up on Orban. Best to just assume ALL these creatures are rotten and just playing their roles. Those who don't get in trouble, like the African PMs who got offed when they questioned the covid agenda.
It is remarkable that this has happened globally - red team, blue team, same coach.
It seems like everything was already in place around the world, just waiting for an ignition point like the virus. Then they all had the opportunity to spring into action and clamp down.
Brilliant analysis Colin. Thank you. I would post this as an "article," but must be mindful of not sending too many emails per day. "Malignant project," is the PERFECT phrase.
Thank you Celia! For the record, I voted against the proposed EU Constitution in the referendum held here in 2005, as did a majority of the Dutch, as did a majority of the French in the referendum held there that year as well. This outcome was ignored. A similar outcome could not be ignored in Ireland (it was binding), so the Irish were instructed to vote again to produce the desired outcome. The Constitution was enacted the following year under a different name, the Lisbon Treaty. Popular will be damned!
I was born and grew up in the US, and after living in Europe for more than 30 years I am shocked to realize that our democratic institutions are probably in worse shape than those of the US, as rickety as democracy may be there, as corrupt as Congress is. At the very least, US still has a somewhat independent judiciary and vigorous defense of states' rights. That we in the EU should be so lucky.
If I may add a personal note: been reading you since the late 80s, familiar with your work as a HIV/AIDS "dissident"; saw the piece in Harper's in 2006, then you fell off the radar. Was absolutely delighted to find your Substack last year.
The only reason that any formation of government could enact a "free trade zone with benefits" is because some formation of government limited or prevented that in the first place. If the preexisting conditions had been alleviated, i.e., the reduction of government controls, it would not have been necessary to form additional government to change it.
Now we see where this leads and it should be surprising to nobody. How is it that the simple idea of eliminating the existing restrictions could not have been achieved outside of the formation of additional government?
I like your description of what is depicted. That is indeed the case and it's strange that, at least "once upon a time in America", liberals resisted and fought *against* government. Now they embrace it and have become just as fervent of government evangelists as any neoconservative.
I don't know the politics of Victor Orban but the word "populist" stands out. That's also become a slur against people seeking "less government" in our lives. But I can tell you that the only people that I know about that advocate for "less government" have been roundly shouted down by both sides of the aisle.
Victor Orbán is what might in the US context be described as a small "r" republican, a cultural conservative and a patriotic nationalist, similar to Putin, one who likewise rejects the neoliberal consensus and pursues growth-oriented economic development, something facilitated by the fact that Hungary is not part of the euro zone and retains its own currency. All this brings him into direct conflict with Brussels, which prefers national leaders 100% submissive to the EU integrationist project. Worse from the EU perspective, he maintains cordial relations with Russia. Beyond the pale! Presidential elections are coming up later this year, and the EU will certainly wield its considerable power behind the scenes to try to get him replaced by a more compliant leader. Tucker Carlson traveled to Budapest late last year to interview Orbán, and you can find on YT several segments that were broadcast. These really need to be seen, if you want to know more about him.
I don't know why people can't come to terms with the FACT that the greatest common denominator of human misery has been government for all of history. History professor? Left, right, liberal, conservative, communist, capitalist?! I don't care what side you're on unless you're on the side of human liberty and freedom.
It's actually pretty easy to see where anyone is at. Do you advocate for more of what has caused human suffering or the minimalization of it?
Excellent observation.
Other people just did it wrong, before. It'll be _different_ this time! They pinky swear!
Reminded me of Birmingham, Alabama in May 1963 when dogs were used to attack civil rights protestors.
From the very start, there has been, in my humble opinion, a very strong parallel with instigation/response from the civil rights movement. Whether they are using the same playbook and common sense response is causing the same countermovements, I'm not sure. But it has an echo or familiarity to the overall senses. Perhaps that's why some feel so strongly that there's a malevolent undertone in society. I feel that it IS as dire as the abolition or civil rights movements, because I don't feel it's so much about race as it is back to being about class, like the early days. But even simpler, it's about the illusion of class- which has been threatened greatly over the last few decades. If your mind is free, then you can be free, regardless of socio-economic status, to be in charge of your destiny. If your body, is not free (or sick) then because of the psychoneurobiologic connection, you can be enslaved to a constant state of survival mode. Which is when you'll do anything, say anything just to feel better or not feel any thing.
I don't know, I feel that we are indeed under that Chinese blessing- "may you be lucky enough to live in interesting times".
It certainly is interesting times, an historical era for sure.
Very true but there are also those who know what they have done and continue to do it. There victims of their nefarious plans. Varying degrees of being victimized by the planners. Some of those victims lost their lives due to the suppression of early treatments.
They would probably feel right at home there.
I live in Amsterdam and was at that protest last Sunday. It was prohibited in advance by our (ugh) Green Party mayor. The police presence was massive. At precisely 1pm, like clockwork, a massive phalanx of riot police, with two water cannon trucks, cleared the park (Museumplein), kettled some protesters, whereupon the ugly but brief skirmishes took place, then, like clockwork, they packed it up and all drove off in their trucks and vans, leaving the huge crowd further in peace. It all had a theatrical quality to it. This isn't to trivialize the police violence, only to emphasize that they were basically just going through the motions. Who knows what is going on behind the scenes...
In the USA the left screams about "defund the police" while having zero interest in implementing any way to reduce the ability of police to intrude into our lives. In fact, when politically convenient the left here takes every opportunity to *increase* their ability to do so.
Meanwhile, on the right, they react with "nothing is wrong with police" and let's do the opposite of what the left demands, let's increase police power and presence... for our "safety".
So, once again, I am baffled at how anyone cannot see the common denominator. What we see in Austria, Australia, Germany, France, UK, USA, is massive oppression using the police... for our "safety".
Here in the USA we have an additional "insult" to bear in that regard. Our police take an oath to defend our constitution and to not follow illegal orders. That has been clearly demonstrated to be a farce for anyone that cares to see it.
Wow, a cartoon character in the comments section, spitting out clichés and virtue signaling with the best of ‘em. "Hate speech"? Give us a break, please.
thank you! my thoughts as well! he has demonstrated himself to be a person not worthy of serious debate.
I'm not even "bashing the police", I'm pointing out observations of the situation that have been well covered in cases too numerous to count. Call what you'd like. In any event, we cannot conduct a civilized society without them, so maybe the real solution -- to which neither side of the aisle has any interest -- would be the reduction of their ability to intervene in our lives in so many ways?
It's not "certain police" either. Rather it is department, city, county and state wide policies that enable the ease of intervention. Of course it doesn't help that individual officers take advantage of that power very enthusiastically.
But again, it is the policies, the law and the precedent that allows the abuse to continue and is precisely not on anyone's list of things to address.
Ok, let's not have any more argumentation. Please! Thank you gentlemen.
You seem to know more than everybody here, John H, while making loud and obnoxious pronouncements about others and their observations, including those who witnessed events live in person. Why don’t you write more than two sentences for once and tell us all the specifics of what you know. We’ll expect many more clichés and virtue signaling while you’re at it, since those are clearly your forte.
Those who allow them selves to be propagandized will often learn a hard truth in the end. The EU is a burnt toast just waiting to pop up.
This has never been about public health, it has always - from the outset - been a cat's paw for the imposition of totalitarian rule. And the governments engaged in it must be overthrown and driven from power, and never again be allowed to get into a position to do anything like this, period.
I wonder what you friend believes now Celia after witnessing the myth of his original perception?
The EU was the formation of the Fourth Reich according to many who had the insight to realize the dangers of an unelected body taking control and removing the sovereinty of it's members.
This is horrifying. And yes, some of us have good common sense and listen to our gut, and end up being way more aware of events than even the most studied History PhDs. They can't apparently see the forest for the trees, or something.
Across the board. I was working at a community college, among PhDs etc. Not a one questioned the narrative from day one. Now they are all covid death culters.
That's it in large part - but they also spent their lives in academia, which has become indoctrination central for the powers that be.
Oh you made my day!!! I want it to feel like a favorite pub. Heidi I am still formulating my reply to your question.
You can read a whole book on the subject, Liberal Fascism, by Goldberg.
It's like dealing with a stalker. That same energy. But there are too many of us to enforce harassment on all. Or, rather, we will find ways to weave and dodge.
John, I see no other way out of this except for the Lord's intervention. I pray and seek His guidance and His will for me during this time. But He is sovereign over history, and so I watch, repent and pray...
Either it is Apocalypse, or it is not. If not, we will find the way out. Otherwise He will. I am in two minds about it.
Clif is doing alright for the moment, but he has also mentioned shooting any undesirable intruders. so there is that as projection for the future.