Gates of Vienna News Feed 5/13/2021

Hamas continued firing rockets into Israel from Gaza today. In addition, three rockets were launched at Israel from Lebanon, but fell into the sea and caused no damage. Meanwhile, IDF forces began ground operations against Gaza.

In other news, according to a new poll, a large majority of French police support Marine Le Pen in the presidential election.

To see the headlines and the articles, click “Continue reading” below.

Thanks to Dean, DV, JW, László, LP, MC, Reader from Chicago, and all the other tipsters who sent these in.

Notice to tipsters: Please don’t submit extensive excerpts from articles that have been posted behind a subscription firewall, or are otherwise under copyright protection.

Caveat: Articles in the news feed are posted “as is”. Gates of Vienna cannot vouch for the authenticity or accuracy of the contents of any individual item posted here. I check each entry to make sure it is relatively interesting, not patently offensive, and at least superficially plausible. The link to the original is included with each item’s title. Further research and verification are left to the reader.

Financial Crisis
» A Faster Than Expected Recovery Awaits the European Economy, With Czechia Growing by Almost 3.5 Percent
 
USA
» “You Can’t Do That to People”: Virginia Gas Station Charges Almost $7 Per Gallon
» 3 Charged With Vandalizing Former California Home of Derek Chauvin Trial Defense Witness
» AG Merrick Garland Says White Supremacists Are the Biggest Terror Threat to US
» Biden: “Get Vaccinated or Wear a Mask Until You Do”
» Breaking: CBC Loses Major Lawsuit Against Conservative Party
» CDC Embarks on New COVID Cover-Up
» Exposed: Florida’s Health Department Whistleblower Was a ‘Fabulist’
» Facebook Deletes Ohio Group That Supports Legal Exemptions to COVID Vaccine Mandates
» Former News Outlet the Intercept Smears Actual Journalists for Covering BLM-Antifa Violence
» House GOP Introduces Bills to Combat Critical Race Theory
» Mass Shooting Insurance in High Demand as U.S. Emerges From Lockdown
» St. Augustine Man Accused of Supporting ISIS Enters Guilty Plea
» Staff at Stanford Paper Face Forced “Anti-Bias” Training After Godzilla vs Kong Tweet Was Called Racist
» Stevens Point Students Protest Mask Requirement
» Stillwater Corrections Officer ‘No Longer Employed’ By Doc After Videotaped Encounter With Protestors
» Student Club Poster at Glenbrook South Draws Accusations of Racism
» Suspect Arrested and Charged After Brutal Hammer Attack on Asian Women in New York City
» Trans Woman Named ‘Iconic Facce’ Pleads Guilty for Bank Robbery After Plastic Surgery
» Trump Plans Return to Rally Circuit With Three Upcoming Events This Summer
» Video: Rand Paul Continues Fauci Feud; “He Could be Culpable for the Entire Pandemic”
» Video: NY Professor Warns Basic Education Regarding America’s Founding Being Replaced With Globalist Indoctrination
» Watch: Bill De Blasio Treats New Yorkers Like Toddlers by Promising Them Burgers and Fries if They Get Vaccinated
» Watch: DeSantis to Pardon Floridians Charged With Violating COVID Mask and Social Distancing Restrictions
» White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Grilled on Ransom Paid to Pipeline Hackers
 
Canada
» BC Authorities Looking at Denying Drivers Licence Renewals to People Who Don’t Pay COVID Fines
» Breaking: Erin O’Toole Calls on Justin Trudeau to Withdraw Internet Censorship Bill, Pledges to Repeal if Elected
» Breaking: Ford Announces Stay-at-Home Order Extension Until ‘At Least’ June 2
» Canadians Prefer Free Speech Instead of Bill C-10 According to a New Poll
» City of Barrie Files Injunction Against Organizer of Anti-Lockdown Protests
» Guilbeault Uses Statements From Trudeau Government-Funded Campaign Groups to Justify Censorship Bill
» Harding: How I Was Fined $2,800 for Reporting on Regina’s Freedom Rally
» Jordan Peterson Challenges Justin Trudeau Over Social Media Censorship Bill
 
Europe and the EU
» Ali Agca: “Not Everything Has Been Revealed”
» Army Chief of Staff Calls on French Military Who Warned of “Civil War” To Resign
» European Commission Wants to Fight “Hate Speech” In Latest Project
» France: Le Pen Warns Macron: “Danger of Civil War” Unless Islamist Problem Tackled
» France: Large Majority of Police Support Marine Le Pen for President
» France: Woke City Puts Signs on Streets Emphasising Links to Slave-Era Past
» French Lawmakers Approve of COVID Health Pass
» Hungary Tax Changes Could Attract Crypto Companies
» Romania: Gross: An Arad County Policeman is Suspected of Beating a Woman Bloody for Not Wearing the Mask
» Scotland: Hundreds of Teens Trash Kilmarnock Woods During Debauched Illegal Party
» ‘Socialism is Dead in England, Hurrah!’ — Farage Hails Downfall of ‘Open Borders’ Labour Party
» Sweden: Elderly Woman Brutally Robbed by Gang in Street
» Time to Win War on Woke! Boris Urged to Defend UK From ‘Profound Threat’ — New Manifesto
» UK: Diverse Birmingham Set to Remove “Problematic” Street Signs and Statues
» UK: Government’s ‘Online Safety’ Bill Will Limit Free Speech, Lead to Massive ‘State-Backed Censorship’ Warn Watchdogs
» UK: More Charges Laid After Another Church Gathering in Wheatley
» UK: Man Who Stabbed Mother and Brutally Beat 7-Month-Old Baby Sentenced Just 8 Years in Prison
 
Israel and the Palestinians
» Breaking: Israel Sends Ground Troops Into Gaza After PM Netanyahu Rejects Ceasefire
» How Did Shrapnel Penetrate Apartment and Kill 5-Year-Old Boy?
» Israeli Army Says Rockets Fired From Lebanon Amid Gaza Flare-Up, Clashes in Mixed Jewish-Arab Cities
» The Myth of Disproportionate Israeli Response
» Three Rockets Launched at Israel From Lebanon, No Damage, Says Israeli Military
 
Far East
» Hong Kong Proposes Very Broad “Anti-Doxxing” Law
» LinkedIn Accused of Censoring for Beijing
 
Sub-Saharan Africa
» Facebook to Face South African Lawmakers Over “Misinformation”
 
Latin America
» Explainer: Bloody Protests in Colombia Leave at Least 26 Dead
 
Immigration
» Italy Plans More Migrant Reception Facilities After New Wave of Arrivals
» Italy Pushes EU to Revitalise Scheme to Spread Migrants Across Europe
» Up to 100 More Migrants Arrive in the UK After Crossing English Channel in Torrential Rain Including Group of 15 Who Landed Their Small Boat on Kent Beach
» Watch: Sen. Hawley Brings Receipts When DHS Secretary Mayorkas Can’t Remember Inviting Migrants Across Border
 
Culture Wars
» Disney Pulls Woke Critical Race Theory Training From Website After Public Backlash
» Finland: Top Christian Democrat Lawmakers Charged With Hate Crime Against Gay People After Quoting Bible Verse
» LGBT Activists Call for Ban on ‘Hate Prayer’ For Gay Conversion
» Merriam-Webster Expands Definition of ‘Anti-Vaxxer’ To Include Those Who Oppose Forced Jabs
» Progressives Angered as France Bans Gender-Neutral Words
» Spanish Conservative Professor Suspended on Twitter for Stating: “Men Cannot Get Pregnant”
» The Uglification of the World
» Welsh City Appoints ‘World’s First’ Openly Non-Binary Mayor
» Woke Harry Laments ‘Genetic Pain’ of Upbringing, Brands First Amendment ‘Bonkers’
» YouTube CEO on Anti-Conservative Bias: “We Don’t Have a Political Agenda”
 

A Faster Than Expected Recovery Awaits the European Economy, With Czechia Growing by Almost 3.5 Percent

The European Union’s economy will grow faster than expected this year and next, mainly due to the more rapid easing of anti-pandemic restrictions. The European Commission stated this in its spring macroeconomic forecast, increasing its GDP growth outlook for 2021 to 4.2 percent. The Czech economy will grow by 3.4 percent, while the February forecast predicted an increase of just 3.2 percent.

On the contrary, the Commission expects significantly slower growth for Czechia’s economy next year. Although it originally predicted a 5 percent increase, the new forecast sees growth of 4.4 percent. Last year, the Czech economy fell by a record 5.6 percent due to coronavirus restrictions, according to the latest EC data.

“Czechia has been hit hard by the second wave of the pandemic,” states the assessment of the Czech economy.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

“You Can’t Do That to People”: Virginia Gas Station Charges Almost $7 Per Gallon

Hours after Virginia governor Ralth Northam declared a state of emergency, one BP gas station was caught charging extortion-level prices on Tuesday amid the lamest ‘gas crisis’ in recent memory caused by the Colonial Pipeline hack.

One customer, Lether Kerney, wasn’t paying attention when she pulled up to the BP gas station on Williamsburg Road — which was charging $5.99 per gallon — shortly before it jumped another dollar to $6.99 per gallon.

“I had half a tank of gas, so when it got to $25, I started looking to see what was going on. And after I got to $30, I was like, ‘oh my God! I spent $35.45 to fill up my tank. Six gallons of gas for $35. That’s absolutely ridiculous,” she said, adding “Usually, it’s under $3.00. This BP service station has always been the cheapest, and I didn’t even look at the price before I started pumping.”

Another customer who goes by ‘Cha Cha’ told KMOV4 that she lives blocks away from the gas station and watched as the price continued to rise.

“I live two blocks from here, and it was $4.99,” she said. “So, then I drove up the road to get gas at a $2.99 gas station, came back through here, it was $5.99. And now it’s $6.59.”

A few minutes later, it was $6.99.

“You can’t do that to people,” said Cha Cha.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

3 Charged With Vandalizing Former California Home of Derek Chauvin Trial Defense Witness

Police in Northern California have arrested three social activists on charges that they vandalized the former home of a police expert witness after he testified on behalf of fired Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin during his murder trial in the death of George Floyd.

The arrests Tuesday in Santa Rosa were in connection with the targeting in mid-April of the onetime residence of defense use-of-force witness and retired police officer Barry Brodd. Pig’s blood was smeared on the house in Santa Rosa, north of San Francisco, and a pig’s head was left there.

Police were quick to conclude that the thousands of dollars of damage appeared to be in response to the testimony from Brodd, who said Chauvin’s restraint technique late last spring used on Floyd was justified. Chauvin was convicted of second-degree murder and other charges and awaits a June 25 sentencing.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

AG Merrick Garland Says White Supremacists Are the Biggest Terror Threat to US

Merrick Garland told the Senate Appropriations Committee that white supremacist groups constitute the most prominent domestic terror threat for the United States.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Biden: “Get Vaccinated or Wear a Mask Until You Do”

Joe Biden has suggested that Americans who don’t take the COVID-19 could be forced to wear masks indefinitely.

“The rule is now simple: get vaccinated or wear a mask until you do,” tweeted Biden. “The choice is yours.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Breaking: CBC Loses Major Lawsuit Against Conservative Party

The lawsuit, which stemmed from the Conservatives’ use of CBC footage in advertisements during the 2019 federal election.

The decision reads that the court found the Conservatives’ use of the footage was fair.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

CDC Embarks on New COVID Cover-Up

For many months, experts have warned that COVID-19 is not so much a viral pandemic as it is a “casedemic” — a pandemic of false positive tests — and the thing that kept the fraud going was the fact that laboratories were using excessively high cycle thresholds (CTs) when processing the PCR tests.

I detailed this scheme in “COVID-19 Testing Scandal Deepens” and “Astonishing COVID-19 Testing Fraud Revealed.” Tests recommended by the World Health Organization were originally set to 45 CTs, and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend a CT of 40, yet the scientific consensus has long been that anything over 35 CTs renders the test useless, as the accuracy will be a measly 3%. The remainder, 97%, are false positives.

In addition to artificially driving up the case rate, the PCR test fraud also fueled the myth that asymptomatic people posed a potential health threat, and therefore businesses had to shut down and everyone had to stay at home and self-quarantine.

January 20, 2021, the day of Joe Biden’s inauguration as the 46th president of the United States, the WHO suddenly lowered the recommended CT, thereby guaranteeing that the number of “cases,” i.e., positive PCR test results, would plummet.

Now, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has lowered the CT even further, in what appears to be a clear effort to hide COVID-19 breakthrough cases, meaning cases in which fully vaccinated individuals are being diagnosed with COVID-19.

           — Hat tip: MC [Return to headlines]
 

Exposed: Florida’s Health Department Whistleblower Was a ‘Fabulist’

The National Review‘s Charles C.W. Cooke has exposed the story of Rebekah Jones, who worked hard to convince the nation that the COVID death, case, and testing numbers being recorded by Gov. Ron DeSantis were false.

Jones had said that she was instructed to fudge numbers when she uploaded them to the site that was designed to track them. But it turns out that she “was not in a sufficiently senior position” to actually edit the data; all she was doing was uploading it.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Facebook Deletes Ohio Group That Supports Legal Exemptions to COVID Vaccine Mandates

The Facebook group for Ohio Advocates for Medical Freedom (OAMF), a non-profit that supports legislation that would give people exemptions to vaccine mandates, has been banned from Facebook.

The group had 40,000 members and its President, Stephanie Stock said that Facebook banned the group for sharing mainstream news articles.

OAMF describes itself as an advocate for “your right to choose or refuse any medical treatment or procedure.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Former News Outlet the Intercept Smears Actual Journalists for Covering BLM-Antifa Violence

Entitled “Meet the Riot Squad: Right-Wing Reporters Whose Viral Videos Are Used to Smear BLM,” the video is a smear job itself, an effort to frame BLM rioters and Antifa militants as the good guys, and those who cover their mayhem as the the bad ones.

The journalists who are targeted by the intercept were exceptional in their willingness to cover events and circumstances that other outlets would not. Julio Rosas of Townhall, Jorge Ventura of Daily Caller, Drew Hernandez, Shelby Talcott of the Daily Caller, and others, were taking their independent lens to protests. This is not something that CNN, MSNBC, NPR, or The Intercept can claim to have done.

The video claims that Rosas took stories that would have been merely local, and brought national attention to them, as though this is both a problem and something other journalists don’t do—meanwhile, this happens literally all the time, every day, at nearly every major outlet in the country.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

House GOP Introduces Bills to Combat Critical Race Theory

Authored by Li Hai via The Epoch Times (emphasis ours)

Two bills will be introduced to counter critical race theory at the federal level, Rep. Dan Bishop (R-N.C.) announced with some GOP House members at a press conference in front of the Capitol on Wednesday.

One bill is Combat Racist Training in the Military Act, a House companion bill to the bill introduced by Senator Tom Cotton (R-Ark.) in the Senate. The bill prohibits the United States military from promoting critical race theory.

The second bill is called Stop Critical Race Theory Act. Bishop called it “the most comprehensive legislation” to restrict the spread of the quasi-Marxist ideology.

The bill would codify an executive order by former President Donald Trump signed last year, which banned critical race theory from federal agency training. The bill would also ban any federal funds from being used to promote critical race theory.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Mass Shooting Insurance in High Demand as U.S. Emerges From Lockdown

(Reuters) — As normality filters back into American lives after a year of lockdowns, hospitals and other institutions are busy making provisions for one aspect of that old normal they would rather consign to the past — mass shootings.

Last year was the least deadly for U.S. mass shootings in a decade, a Reuters tally shows.

But spring has brought a resurgence and insurers are reporting a jump in demand for protection against such events, at a time when the pent-up traumas and frustrations of living through a pandemic are also re-entering the public domain.

Client inquiries for what the industry calls active shooter policies have risen 50% year on year in the past six weeks, said Tarique Nageer, Terrorism Placement Advisory Leader at Marsh, the world’s biggest insurance broker.

Such policies gained popularity in recent years following a spate of school shootings. They typically cover victim lawsuits, building repairs, legal fees, medical expenses and trauma counseling.

This year, however, even though fatal shootings in U.S. hospitals are comparatively rare and mass ones one-in-a-decade events, Nageer says demand has been particularly strong from the healthcare sector.

That finding is supported by Tim Davies, head of crisis management at Canopius, a Lloyd’s of London global specialty insurer…

           — Hat tip: Dean [Return to headlines]
 

St. Augustine Man Accused of Supporting ISIS Enters Guilty Plea

ST. AUGUSTINE, Fla. — A St. Augustine man arrested in Nov. 2019 has pleaded guilty to charges of attempting to provide material support to ISIS, according to a news release from the Department of Justice.

According to court documents, Romeo Xavier Langhorne, 31, pledged his allegiance to ISIS at some point in 2014, knowing that ISIS was a designated terrorist organization, the news release states.

The DOJ said that throughout 2018 and 2019, Langhorne posted his support for ISIS on social media accounts and posted ISIS-produced videos to his YouTube account.

In December 2018 and January 2019, the DOJ said, Langhorne was in a chat room where he shared an interest in creating a video that would demonstrate the making and use of an explosive.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Staff at Stanford Paper Face Forced “Anti-Bias” Training After Godzilla vs Kong Tweet Was Called Racist

All members of the staff of the Stanford University student newspaper, The Stanford Daily, will have to undergo “anti-bias training” because of a tweet posted on one of its accounts that was seen by some as racist.

The tweet was posted in the context of a heated student government race that involved two black students and compared the election and the conflict between the candidates to the movie “Godzilla vs. Kong.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Stevens Point Students Protest Mask Requirement

Stevens Point (WAOW) — Just over a dozen Stevens Point students and parents stood outside SPASH Thursday morning protesting a mask requirement.

The students say it should be their choice whether or not to wear masks.

Protests over mask requirements have been a growing trend in North Central Wisconsin with other area districts experiencing walkouts.

Several area school boards have recently voted on mask requirements, several opting to keep them through this school year.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Stillwater Corrections Officer ‘No Longer Employed’ By Doc After Videotaped Encounter With Protestors

Sgt. Paul Gorder, a 30-year employee of the Stillwater correctional facility, clashed with protestors in the video, during which his wife used a racial slur.

STILLWATER, Minn. — A veteran corrections sergeant is no longer employed by the state of Minnesota following a videotaped clash with demonstrators outside a Stillwater home last month.

An email from Minnesota Department of Corrections spokesperson Sarah Fitzgerald says simply that Paul Gorder “is no longer employed by the DOC.” Fitzgerald says an investigation into complaints against Gorder is complete, but that the results or discipline against the Minnesota Correctional Facility at Stillwater sergeant will not be made public until the arbitration process is complete.

Gorder was placed on leave in late April after a video clip circulated on social media showing him and his wife shouting at protestors outside the home of Washington County Attorney Pete Orput, who was appointed as special prosecutor to handle the case of Kim Potter. Potter is the former Brooklyn Center police officer charged with second-degree manslaughter for shooting Daunte Wright during a traffic stop.

Activists who are demanding murder charges against Potter, and the removal of Orput from the case, staged a protest at Orput’s Stillwater home April 25. Gorder is a neighbor of the county attorney, and came to confront demonstrators. In a video later posted on Twitter, Gorder and his wife were heard shouting obscenities at the activists, and at one point Gorder’s wife uses the n-word…

           — Hat tip: DV [Return to headlines]
 

Student Club Poster at Glenbrook South Draws Accusations of Racism

Posters placed on message boards at Glenbrook South High School recruiting students to join a conservative school government activity drew accusations of racism and a response from state legislators.

A May 7 Facebook item of a poster for the school’s chapter of Turning Point USA included the caption, “China Kinda Sus,” underneath a character from the online game, “Among Us.”

The character, which on the poster bears the hammer and sickle symbol representing the former Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, is described on the game creator’s website as an “alien impostor.” The word, “sus,” is a colloquial expression for “suspicious.”

[Comment: I don’t find the poster racist. Further, the student should be commended for knowing about the evils of communism.]

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Suspect Arrested and Charged After Brutal Hammer Attack on Asian Women in New York City

The New York Police Department Hate Crimes unit announced Wednesday they have arrested the suspect who violently assaulted two Asian women with a hammer outside Hell’s Kitchen earlier this month.

The suspect in custody is 37-year-old homeless woman Ebony Jackson, NYPD confirmed to the New York Post.

NYPD Hate Crimes unit charged Jackson with multiple felonies, including felony assault, felony criminal possession of a weapon as well as menacing.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Trans Woman Named ‘Iconic Facce’ Pleads Guilty for Bank Robbery After Plastic Surgery

A trans woman by the name of Iconic Facce pleaded guilty to two counts of bank robbery on Monday and was sentenced by Circuit Judge Randi Peresich Mueller to 15 years in prison for each count, to be served simultaneously, Fox 10 reports.

Iconic Facce was indicted on charges connected to a March 22, 2019 robbery of a BancorpSouth location on Cowan Road in Gulfport, Mississippi.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Trump Plans Return to Rally Circuit With Three Upcoming Events This Summer

He was infamous for his different modes of public speaking. Many of his supporters preferred the rally version of Donald Trump.

The Daily Mail reports that the former President is returning to the rally trail. Trump is planning to return with two events in June and another event “around July 3” in time for Independence Day.

Late last month President Biden threatened to cancel the fourth of July on the grounds that enough people weren’t getting the vaccine. A seemingly empty threat as just today the CDC announced new rules saying that fully vaccinated people don’t need to wear masks or socially distance anymore, whatsoever.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Video: Rand Paul Continues Fauci Feud; “He Could be Culpable for the Entire Pandemic”

Senator Rand Paul continued to slam White House medical advisor Thursday, saying that Anthony Fauci could be culpable for the entire coronavirus pandemic.

Paul was attacked by leftist media Wednesday for merely questioning Fauci’s extensive role in granting funding to the Wuhan Institute of Virology at a Senate hearing.

CNN’s Anderson Cooper declared that Paul should “have more respect at least for medical science.”

Paul hit back, noting that Fauci is lying about the NIH’s involvement in funding of the Wuhan lab.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Video: NY Professor Warns Basic Education Regarding America’s Founding Being Replaced With Globalist Indoctrination

A Suffolk County College Professor has warned that basic facts about The Constitution are being skipped over in the classroom in favour of an ‘Anti-American’ globalist theory based on the ‘past sins’ of their ancestors.

During an interview with Tucker Carlson, Nicholas Giordano warned that “This whole devaluing of America — and that’s probably the biggest problem, because with the citizenship exam and the Constitution exercise I do, it got me curious as to what students are actually learning.”

“You’ll find that they are not really learning about our government; they’re not learning about the Constitution, the roles and responsibilities of the institutions,” the professor continued.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Watch: Bill De Blasio Treats New Yorkers Like Toddlers by Promising Them Burgers and Fries if They Get Vaccinated

New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio ate a snack at a morning press conference on Thursday to promote the city’s vaccination program, which is seeing a lower-than-expected turnout as infections continue to rise in the Democrat-run city.

In an unironic attempt to convince New York City residents to take the jab, de Blasio announced that the city would be giving out free fries with every shot.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Watch: DeSantis to Pardon Floridians Charged With Violating COVID Mask and Social Distancing Restrictions

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis said that he would grant pardons to anyone who had been charged with violations of COVID regulations. Anyone who is facing charges for not wearing masks, or not socially distancing, will receive clemency from a governor who has consistently come down on the side of citizens’ rights as opposed to COVID-inspired limitations on freedoms.

[Comment: Governor Ron DeSantis is awesome!]

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki Grilled on Ransom Paid to Pipeline Hackers

“Does the fact that Colonial Pipeline paid a ransom, make you concerned that this could happen over and over again, these types of hacks?” asked Reuter’s Steve Holland.

“Let me say that I would refer you to the company for any confirmation or comment on that particular question,” stated Psaki. “It continues to be the position of the federal government, the FBI, that it is not in the interests of the private sector for companies to pay ransom because it incentivizes these actions leading to your point.”

Psaki added that a lesson to be learned from this incident is the importance of hardened cyber security.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

BC Authorities Looking at Denying Drivers Licence Renewals to People Who Don’t Pay COVID Fines

The province of BC is eyeing measures that would prevent people from renewing their driver’s licenses if they still owe outstanding fines for breaking the city’s numerous lockdown regulations.

The changes to the Motor Vehicle Act are now being studied by the provincial legislature. If passed, it will mean that a “RTI” or “Refuse to issue” will come up in the system for anybody who had an unpaid fine given out under the Emergency Program Act or the COVID-19-Related Measures Act, according to Global News.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Breaking: Erin O’Toole Calls on Justin Trudeau to Withdraw Internet Censorship Bill, Pledges to Repeal if Elected

The Leader of the Conservatives and the Official Opposition Erin O’Toole announced on Thursday that is is calling on Justin Trudeau to withdraw Bill C-10, the controversial social media censorship bill. If the bill is not repealed, O’Toole pledged to repeal it if elected.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Breaking: Ford Announces Stay-at-Home Order Extension Until ‘At Least’ June 2

Ontario Premier Doug Ford announced the extension of the stay-at-home order “and all public health measures” until “at least June 2.”

The premier made the comments on Thursday from Queen’s Park, saying that it was necessary to have “the most normal July and August” possible.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Canadians Prefer Free Speech Instead of Bill C-10 According to a New Poll

A majority of the Canadian general public want to maintain the right to say what they’d like without excessive government oversight.

As highlighted by True North, 73% of Canadians prefer to maintain their freedom of speech over Bill C-10. A government effort that’d attempt to enforce Canada’s Broadcasting Act onto social media platforms and the internet.

The poll was conducted by Public Square Research and Maru/Blue. In somewhat alarming detail, however, 72% of 1508 Canadians polled never even heard of C-10. When it came down to the remaining 28% who were aware of the bill, it was: 31% supportive vs 53% unsupportive. Either strongly or “somewhat.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

City of Barrie Files Injunction Against Organizer of Anti-Lockdown Protests

The City of Barrie has filed an injunction to restrain the organizer of the ongoing anti-lockdown protests from co-ordinating, hosting and participating in any more gatherings on city property.

The demonstrations, which have taken place around Barrie over the last number of weeks, are in contravention of Ontario’s current stay-at-home order, which has been enforced to curb the spread of COVID-19.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Guilbeault Uses Statements From Trudeau Government-Funded Campaign Groups to Justify Censorship Bill

When in a hole, stop digging — that’s a piece of advice someone might have given Canada’s Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault, who is continuing with his attempts to controversially defend the country’s proposed internet censorship Bill C-10.

A few days ago, Guilbeault had what some have described as a disastrous appearance on Canadian TV, trying to explain the intent behind the bill and to whom it applies, but instead confusing the situation even further; this eventually led to a parliamentary committee putting the draft on iceuntil it receives clarification from minsters and experts.

And now, Guilbeault has decided it would be a good idea to attempt to bolster the government-drafted bill’s credibility — by citing government-funded groups who support it.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Harding: How I Was Fined $2,800 for Reporting on Regina’s Freedom Rally

Sixteen people were fined following their attendance at Saturday’s “illegal” freedom rally in Regina, SK. Despite going to the demonstration to interview the speakers and cover the event, yours truly was among those who received a $2,800 fine. And it happened despite clearly demonstrating to police that I was there for journalistic purposes.

May 8 say hundreds gathered for a freedom rally in Regina’s Victoria Park to hear speakers such as Maxime Bernier, Mark Friesen, and Laura Lynn Thompson. This was a newsworthy event and a journalistic opportunity not to be missed. The opportunity to interview these members of the lockdown resistance movement in person might not come again. As they left the event, I walked with my recording device in hand to seize my final opportunity to get a few quotes.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Jordan Peterson Challenges Justin Trudeau Over Social Media Censorship Bill

Dr. Jordan B. Peterson took to Twitter on Wednesday to critique the controversial Canadian censorship Bill. Bill C-10 is currently being pushed forward by the Liberal government and is being spearheaded by Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault. If passed, the Bill would regulate all Canadian social media users and impose CRTC restrictions on content.

“How about we don’t do this, Canada. I’d hate to move,” Said Peterson in a tweet.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Ali Agca: “Not Everything Has Been Revealed”

A day before the 40th anniversary of the attempt on John Paul II’s life, Mehmet Ali Agca, the Turkish assassin who shot Pope John Paul II at Saint Peter’s Square on May 13, 1981, claimed that not everything has been revealed on the subject of the assassination. In an interview for the Italian agency Ansa, Agca explained that in the past, the Mitrokhin Commission (named after a KGB archivist) in the Italian parliament had uncovered a bit of truth. The assassin was referring to the commission that had been researching the activity of secret services of the former Eastern bloc in Italy at the time.

One of the people who made a statement before the commission was Judge Ferdinando Imposimato, a supporter of the “Bulgarian trail” theory. The theory indicated that members of the communist secret service from Sofia were involved in the Pope’s assassination attempt and that they were working on the USSR’s orders. Imposimato had earlier led an investigation concerning the incident itself.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Army Chief of Staff Calls on French Military Who Warned of “Civil War” To Resign

The Armed Forces chief of staff in France has called on soldiers who wrote a letter warning President Macron of a brewing “civil war” to resign.

The letter, which was published last weekend, warned of the “disintegration” of France due to authorities having made “concessions” to Islamism and the far left’s war on the nation state.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

European Commission Wants to Fight “Hate Speech” In Latest Project

The European Commission’s announcement about fighting “hate speech” is meant to be in defense of those who are “persecuted due to race, religion, gender or sexuality.” By the end of 2021, the EC wants to propose a list of hate crimes, and some politicians are already noticing a hidden agenda in the project, reports Polish Catholic Radio Maryja.

According to the European Commission, opposing any form of racism, xenophobia and intolerance is necessary because these issues stand against the values on which the EU was founded and which were written into the second article of the Lisbon Treaty. The EC has stated that it will base its proposed list of crimes on the need to respect human dignity and Article 83 of the EU Treaty, which describes the minimal norms for defining crimes and punishment in the EU.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

France: Le Pen Warns Macron: “Danger of Civil War” Unless Islamist Problem Tackled

Populist leader Marine Le Pen has echoed the sentiments of a letter written by active duty military personnel by warning President Macron that there’s a danger of “civil war” unless he solves the country’s Islamist problem.

Le Pen made the comments following the publication of the letter, which outlined how the soldiers had been “fighting Islamism” in dangerous countries abroad only for the French government to “(make) concessions on our soil.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

France: Large Majority of Police Support Marine Le Pen for President

A poll has revealed that as much as 60 per cent of the French police support populist National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen for president ahead of next year’s presidential elections.

The data, which was part of a survey published by the Centre for Political Research of Sciences Po (Cevipof), reveals that in the first round of the presidential election, a plurality of 44 per cent of police and soldiers would vote for Ms Le Pen.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

France: Woke City Puts Signs on Streets Emphasising Links to Slave-Era Past

Administrators in La Rochelle, France, have placed signs explaining the city’s links to the slave trade on several streets, with the mayor claiming the signs are simply educational.

The new signs were posted in seven streets of La Rochelle on Monday. They are the first of their kind and detail the historical events linked to the slave trade era in the city.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

French Lawmakers Approve of COVID Health Pass

The French National Assembly has approved a bill that includes the implementation of a Covid-19 ‘health pass’ that will allow people to attend sports fixtures, festivals, and other such occasions that draw large crowds.

After being defeated in its first attempt on Tuesday evening, President Emmanuel Macron’s ruling party was able to push through the introduction of its pass on Wednesday morning as the government looks to reopen the economy.

It will come into effect on June 9, providing proof that someone has been vaccinated, has had a negative test, or has recently recovered from the virus and therefore has antibodies.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Hungary Tax Changes Could Attract Crypto Companies

If parliament approves the country’s 2022 tax bill currently under debate, Hungary could be among the first European countries to have clear and unequivocal cryptocurrency regulations, possibly attracting further investments to the country, news portal Origo reports.

“Although there are no exact data, the value of assets held in cryptocurrencies in Hungary can be estimated at HUF 300 billion (€84 million). Anyone who wanted to access these assets so far has been easily lost due to the lack of clear regulations. Selling cryptocurrency legally is a very complex and difficult process (taxation, money laundering), and neither the regulatory nor the services environment has been fully prepared for it so far,” Kornél Kalocsai, President of the Blockchain Hungary Association told Origo.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Romania: Gross: An Arad County Policeman is Suspected of Beating a Woman Bloody for Not Wearing the Mask

[Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)]

In the street, of course.

An internal investigation has been launched at the Arad county police headquarters after a policeman was accused of very serious charges: according to reports from passers-by, he beat a woman in the village of Buttyin, beating her bloody for not wearing a mask in the street.

According to reports, the 50-year-old woman was returning home from farm work on Wednesday when she ran into a police patrol near her home.

Exactly what happened, what the police said and how the woman reacted are still under investigation, but it is certain that the woman was left bleeding from the face after the incident and had the ambulance had to be called.

She was taken to hospital where she was treated and then discharged home at her own risk.

The police said on Wednesday evening that no one had yet filed a complaint, but that an investigation had been launched and all those involved were being questioned to establish how the incident happened and what sanctions are justified.”

           — Hat tip: László [Return to headlines]
 

Scotland: Hundreds of Teens Trash Kilmarnock Woods During Debauched Illegal Party

Hundreds of mindless teenagers have trashed a wooded area after throwing a debauched illegal party in Kilmarnock.

Youngsters have left a forest on the Annanhill estate carpeted in broken glass and littered with empty booze cans following a ‘lockdown celebration’ party.

One neighbour who witnessed the “disgusting” mass gathering also claimed that the drunken teens were engaging in sexual activity in bushes.

The secluded woodland area near to Annanhill Golf Course has been transformed into an illicit party den regularly used by Covid-breaching youngsters with trees snapped and fires also being set.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

‘Socialism is Dead in England, Hurrah!’ — Farage Hails Downfall of ‘Open Borders’ Labour Party

Socialism is dead in England, according to Brexit leader Nigel Farage, who said that the Labour Party’s failure to understand working-class concerns about mass migration and the left’s constant assaults on British heritage are to blame for the party’s electoral woes.

Mr Farage, who is currently on a tour of America promoting the success of Brexit to conservative grassroots activists, said that London “champagne socialists” in the Labour Party had driven away voters with their open borders agenda.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Sweden: Elderly Woman Brutally Robbed by Gang in Street

A 75-year-old woman was severely injured during a broad-daylight robbery in eastern Sweden this week, according to reports.

A gang of suspects set upon their elderly victim on a street in the city of Norrköping at around 7:40 p.m. on Monday.

“Police are looking for witnesses to a robbery that occurred on Bäckgatan,” Swedish police explained in a report.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Time to Win War on Woke! Boris Urged to Defend UK From ‘Profound Threat’ — New Manifesto

A group of Tory MPs have urged the Prime Minister to fight back against the “woke warriors” in a new manifesto. The pamphlet, released by the Common Sense Group, called on Mr Johnson to introduced harsh rules to force Government-funded institutions to “promote British values, traditions and history”.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: Diverse Birmingham Set to Remove “Problematic” Street Signs and Statues

Birmingham City Council is set to remove “extremely problematic” street names and statues to satiate BLM supporters after a dubious poll found that a majority of residents supported the decision.

The survey, published by the Birmingham Mail, found that 63 per cent of respondents were in favor of a move to rename “road signs which glorify extremely problematic public/historical figures.”

Only 24 per cent opposed the measures, while just 26 per cent said it would be better to move the statues into museums rather than just tearing them down.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: Government’s ‘Online Safety’ Bill Will Limit Free Speech, Lead to Massive ‘State-Backed Censorship’ Warn Watchdogs

Free speech activists in the UK have warned that new government legislation aimed at social media companies is set to decimate free speech and bring in ‘state-backed censorship’ on an unprecedented scale.

The ‘Online Safety’ Bill is being introduced with the justification of forcing big tech to be more accountable for ‘harmful’ content on their websites.

However, activists have noted that it will could be used to remove any opinions and content that big tech or the state do not agree with, and could lead to more publishers being permanently banned from platforms.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: More Charges Laid After Another Church Gathering in Wheatley

Two charges have been laid in connection with a large gathering at the Old Colony Mennonite Church in Wheatley Thursday morning.

Chatham-Kent Chief Administrative Officer Don Shropshire did not have any more specifics as of the time of publication early Thursday afternoon but urged the public to call to report illegal gatherings if they see them.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

UK: Man Who Stabbed Mother and Brutally Beat 7-Month-Old Baby Sentenced Just 8 Years in Prison

A man who appears to have a migrant background has been ordered to serve eight years in prison after a UK court last week found him guilty of nearly stabbing a mother to death before swinging her baby by its legs and slamming his head repeatedly against a wall.

The Wolverhampton Crown Court in West Midlands, England, sentenced 33-year-old Aamer Araf to eight years in prison with four years of probation after he pled guilty to causing grievous bodily harm last Friday, Metro UK reports.

The brutal attack dates back to the early hours of May 28, 2020, when West Midlands Police were called to a “domestic incident” at a residence in the town of Tipton. According to authorities, Araf, after repeatedly stabbing a 37-year-old woman with a kitchen knife and leaving her unconscious in a pool of her own blood, began swinging her seven-month-old son by his legs, banging his head against the wall over and over again.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Breaking: Israel Sends Ground Troops Into Gaza After PM Netanyahu Rejects Ceasefire

This week, years of tensions between Israel and the Gaza region finally boiled over. In a long standing dispute over settlements and territory, people from both areas took to the streets to clash.

All the while, military forces on either side are making their own maneuvers. Most recently we now know Israel has no plans to stop after a request for ceasefire from Hamas was denied by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

The IDF Twitter account announced that “air and ground troops” were moving in on the Gaza strip.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

How Did Shrapnel Penetrate Apartment and Kill 5-Year-Old Boy?

A preliminary investigation conducted by the Home Front Command into the circumstances of the death of Ido Avigal, the 5-year-old boy who was killed last night (Wednesday) by shrapnel from a rocket strike in Sderot, shows that the window in the fortified room where Ido was staying with his family was intact.

Despite this, shrapnel from the attack penetrated Ido’s body and killed him due to the angle of penetration and force of the attack.

In light of the incident, authorities are examining the possibility of replacing the security windows throughout the Gaza periphery, Channel 13 News reported.[…]

[This is the little boy killed yesterday in Sderot — picture in the article — Its what happens when Muslims throw their lethal toys around in a religious tantrum]

           — Hat tip: MC [Return to headlines]
 

Israeli Army Says Rockets Fired From Lebanon Amid Gaza Flare-Up, Clashes in Mixed Jewish-Arab Cities

Fighting between Israel and Hamas escalated in what has become the heaviest flare-up since the 2014 Gaza. At least 83 people were killed in the Strip and seven in Israel, in the most intensive aerial exchanges for years.

Israel carried out hundreds of air strikes in Gaza, as Palestinian militants fired more than a thousand rockets at central and southern Israel since Monday.

The fighting prompted international concern that the situation could spiral out of control, as well as mediation efforts for a ceasefire.

Tensions had been building up over the past week, with clashes between Israeli forces and protesters in Jerusalem’s Sheikh Jarrah and the Temple Mount, and spilled into violent attacks by civilians across Israel, targeting both Jews and Arabs…

           — Hat tip: LP [Return to headlines]
 

The Myth of Disproportionate Israeli Response

In the lexicon of false terms used to describe Israel’s rightful actions to defend itself, one of the most egregious is the term “disproportionate response”.

Though this term is a mantra for haters of Israel, it also unfortunately works its way into the consciousness of supporters of Israel.

Reasonable people can recognize that Israel, like any state, has a right and obligation to defend its people from attack, and to respond with force when needed. But reasonable people can also recognize that the civilian population of Gaza has a right to live without undo threat from Israeli military might.[…]

[This is a terminology only used in the context of Israel — It is diplomacy speak for “you should just cower in the corner and take it because you are the illegitamate ‘occupiers’“]

           — Hat tip: MC [Return to headlines]
 

Three Rockets Launched at Israel From Lebanon, No Damage, Says Israeli Military

Three rockets were launched from Lebanon toward northern Israel on Thursday but landed in the Mediterranean Sea, causing no damage or casualties, the Israeli military said. The rocket firing threatened to open a new front in the escalating fighting between Israel and the militant Palestinian Hamas group in Gaza.

           — Hat tip: JW [Return to headlines]
 

Hong Kong Proposes Very Broad “Anti-Doxxing” Law

The Legislative Bureau of Hong Kong has proposed amendments to an existing doxxing law that would increase penalties for doxxing and obligate online platforms to take down content. In the eyes of the Hong Kong government, the existing law is insufficient as only two-thirds of take down requests for doxxing content have been successful.

Doxxing became an issue in Hong Kong in 2019 after the enforcement of a law that made it easier for Hong Kong residents to be prosecuted in Chinese courts. In protest, activists published the personal information of police officers and other government officials. But, the new proposals are extremely broad and have free speech implications.

We obtained a copy of the proposals for you here.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

LinkedIn Accused of Censoring for Beijing

Microsoft’s professional networking platform LinkedIn has been accused of censorship of content critical of the Chinese government. The platform seems to be increasing censorship of anti-Chinese government content to remain in the good books of Beijing.

Former British journalist and corporate investigator Peter Humphrey, from Surrey in England, claims LinkedIn censored his content where he described the Chinese government as a “repressive dictatorship,” and blasted the nation’s state-controlled media for being “propaganda mouthpieces.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Facebook to Face South African Lawmakers Over “Misinformation”

Facebook’s execs have been appearing regularly before US lawmakers in various hearings, but they have now for the first time been summoned to an African country’s parliament.

The South African parliament wants Facebook to show up on May 25 and tell the Communications and Digital Technologies Committee about its activities around the suppression of “harmful misinformation.” The same invitation has been sent to Google and Twitter, but it remains to be seen if they will accept.

The reason for pressing Facebook on its “misinformation” policy now is that the country will soon hold local elections.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Explainer: Bloody Protests in Colombia Leave at Least 26 Dead

Bloody, violent protests have raged on for 10 days throughout Colombia, leaving at least 26 dead and more than 900 reportedly injured, according to local officials and advocacy groups.

Demonstrations erupted in Bogota, Medellin, Cali and other cities on April 28 decrying President Ivan Duque’s proposed tax hike that critics say would raise the price of food and taxes for more middle-class workers. The plan was meant to unburden the government from the COVID-19 pandemic’s financial strain, The Associated Press reported.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Italy Plans More Migrant Reception Facilities After New Wave of Arrivals

The Italian government is in a race against time to acquire new facilities for incoming migrants as arrivals surge and ships previously used for quarantine will soon no longer be available.

Last year, the Italian government acquired several ships, mainly ferries, to quarantine newly arrived migrants to prevent the spread of the Wuhan virus. But with tourism returning, many companies wish to use their vessels for their original purpose.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Italy Pushes EU to Revitalise Scheme to Spread Migrants Across Europe

(AFP) — Italy is pushing EU partners to revive migrant burden-sharing deals as it seeks to stave off a summertime surge in landings from North Africa, Prime Minister Mario Draghi said Wednesday.

Migration has returned to the top of the political agenda in Italy after more than 2,200 asylum-seekers from Tunisia and Libya arrived on its tiny island of Lampedusa last weekend.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Up to 100 More Migrants Arrive in the UK After Crossing English Channel in Torrential Rain Including Group of 15 Who Landed Their Small Boat on Kent Beach

Around 100 migrants are believed to have crossed the English Channel today despite downpours of rain.

Border Force intercepted the first boat of the day at around 7.30am, which contained approximately 20 men.

The group were brought to Dover on the Border Force cutter Speedwell.

[Comment: Article dated May 13, 2021.]

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Watch: Sen. Hawley Brings Receipts When DHS Secretary Mayorkas Can’t Remember Inviting Migrants Across Border

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas in March issued an invitation to the world to illegally cross the US-Mexico border. This morning, under questioning from Senator Josh Hawley (R-MO), he couldn’t even remember saying the words.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Disney Pulls Woke Critical Race Theory Training From Website After Public Backlash

Disney has canned its controversial critical race theory training module from the company’s internal portal after serious public backlash.

Disney made headlines last week after it pushed white privilege checklists and minority only segregated affinity groups on its employees. Employees said Disney “actively discourages conservative and Christian employees from expressing their views.” Now, the company has done a complete u-turn and removed all critical race theory training material from the company’s internal network.

The company told employees to reject “equality” in favour of equity and race based ideology. This sort of critical race theory training is now common in large companies and bureaucracies. Many Disney fans were extremely disappointed with the politicization of children’s shows and movies. Recently, activists have targeted Sleeping Beauty for the lack of consent when Beauty is awoken by true love’s kiss.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Finland: Top Christian Democrat Lawmakers Charged With Hate Crime Against Gay People After Quoting Bible Verse

A senior Christian Democrat lawmaker in Finland is facing up to two years in prison after being charged with hate speech over LGBT-critical comments made on social media, including quoting a verse from the Bible.

Päivi Räsänen, a member of the Finnish parliament who served as interior minister for 2012 to 2015, has been charged three counts of incitement aimed at a minority group, for social media posts she made during the summer of 2019, where she questioned why her church — the Evangelical Lutheran Church — was co-sponsoring the Helsinki LGBT Pride event, Finnish national broadcaster Yle reports.

Räsänen, in her social media posts which were uploaded to several platforms, wrote, “The church of which I am a member has announced that it is an official partner of SETA Helsinki Pride 2019. How does the Church’s doctrine, the Bible, fit in with the idea that shame and sin are raised as a matter of pride?”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

LGBT Activists Call for Ban on ‘Hate Prayer’ For Gay Conversion

LGBT activists in the UK are calling for a ban on “hate prayer” that would suggest active homosexuals need to convert.

Prayer asking God to help individuals overcome same-sex attraction, even when they themselves have requested it, is similar to hate speech and hate preaching, declares Jayne Ozanne, who identifies as a gay Evangelical Christian and member of the General Synod.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Merriam-Webster Expands Definition of ‘Anti-Vaxxer’ To Include Those Who Oppose Forced Jabs

The Merriam-Webster dictionary has expanded its definition of “anti-vaxxer” to include those who oppose mandatory jabs.

Yes, really.

The full definition of ‘anti-vaxxer’ now states, “a person who opposes vaccination or laws that mandate vaccination.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Progressives Angered as France Bans Gender-Neutral Words

France has cracked down on progressive efforts and placed a ban on gender-neutral words being used in public schools. The minister of education, Jean-Michel Blanquer, said that the French language must not be destroyed or manipulated, however, he says he supports the feminization of occupations and positions, calling it “progressive”.

Activists in favor of the changes to the French language say they will not give up, and the teacher’s union called on teachers to ignore the ban.

The new decree sent to schools across the country is particularly opposed to the introduction of dots in the middle of words to indicate gender-neutral terms.

The plural of ami (friend) is, for example, available to use in the masculine form of amis and the feminine form amies, however, the female amies can be used only if there is not a single man in the group. Progressives don’t like that. According to them, a gender-neutral word for friends should use dots or periods in the middle and look like ami.e.s.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Spanish Conservative Professor Suspended on Twitter for Stating: “Men Cannot Get Pregnant”

On Tuesday, Twitter issued a 12-hour suspension against the account of a professor of philosophy and law and a deputy of the conservative Spanish Vox party, Francisco Jose Contreras, on grounds of “incitement to hatred.” Contreras had affirmed a simple biological fact, that “a man cannot get pregnant. A man does not have a uterus or ovaries.”

According to Twitter’s justification of the suspension, “it is not permissible to threaten other people, persecute them or encourage violence based on their race, ethnicity, nationality, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, religion, age, disability or illness.”

[Comment: Wokism must die.]

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

The Uglification of the World

They’re surrounding you with ugliness because they want you nihilistic, demoralized and atomized.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Welsh City Appoints ‘World’s First’ Openly Non-Binary Mayor

Bangor City Council in Gwynedd, Wales, has appointed what is claimed to be the world’s first “non-binary” city mayor.

22-year-old Owen J Hurcum, who is also the youngest mayor in Bangor history, was elected as a councillor for the Welsh separatist Plaid Cymru party — despite originally being from Harrow, London — as a teenager, but now sits as an independent, having resigned from the leftist party after they selected an alleged “TERF” (Trans-Exclusionary Radical Feminist) as a candidate for the Welsh Assembly elections.

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

Woke Harry Laments ‘Genetic Pain’ of Upbringing, Brands First Amendment ‘Bonkers’

Prince Harry, husband of Meghan, Duchess of Sussex, has lamented the “genetic pain” of his upbringing and compared royal life to being a zoo animal.

Speaking on the ‘Armchair Experts’ podcast hosted by Dax Shepard — who described Harry as “a rad dude” — the British royal kicked off the interview by telling off comedian and mixed martial arts colour commentator Joe Rogan for recent comments questioning the value of coronavirus vaccines for healthy young people, then lurched into a brief discussion of the way online algorithms create an “echo chamber of no pushback.”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

YouTube CEO on Anti-Conservative Bias: “We Don’t Have a Political Agenda”

Over the years, YouTube has faced a series of accusations that it’s politically biased against conservative viewpoints. But when asked about these accusations directly during a recent fireside chat appearance at the tech and economic conference Impact’21, YouTube CEO Susan Wojcicki denied the notion of the video-sharing platform having a political agenda.

The fireside chat was moderated by politics and media commentator Lukasz Mezyk who introduced the subject of political bias by asking: “Some of the critics say that YouTube has a political bias and silences conservative votes…conservative voices. What’s your…how you see this? Has YouTube got a political agenda?”

           — Hat tip: Reader from Chicago [Return to headlines]
 

12 thoughts on “Gates of Vienna News Feed 5/13/2021

  1. https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-glasgow-west-57100259
    >Police release men from immigration van blocking Glasgow street
    >Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is also the MSP for the area, said she disagreed fundamentally with Home Office immigration policy.
    >She said: “This action was unacceptable. To act in this way, in the heart of a Muslim community as they celebrated Eid, and in an area experiencing a Covid outbreak was a health and safety risk.”
    >Nicola Sturgeon and her justice secretary, Humza Yousaf are seeking follow up talks with the Home Secretary, Priti Patel.

    • I say to hell with the UN with its muslim dictator terrorists. The UN has no power over the US or Israel.

  2. leader of German greens–Baerbock condemns Hamas attacks on Israel: “We stand on the side of the Israelis”
    Green Chancellor candidate Annalena Baerbock condemns the rocket attacks on Israel by the Islamist Hamas “in the strongest possible way.”
    “We stand by the side of the Israelis in these difficult hours.”
    The incidents in Germany related to the conflict are also worrying the Green politician.
    https://www.rnd.de/politik/baerbock-verurteilt-angriffe-der-hamas-auf-israel-wir-stehen-an-der-seite-der-israelis-CHHXB74Z73KJNFHHP7R3DM6QDA.html

    • That turk is no German and never will be German, all these 3rd worlders will always be 3rd worlders and never German. A dog born in a barn doesn’t make it a horse.

  3. Youtube’s Sue Wojcicki has interesting Polish roots from when the USSR and its Marxists took control of Poland. She lies just like one of those Polish Marxists.

  4. “In other news, according to a new poll, a large majority of French police support Marine Le Pen in the presidential election.” I doubt the polls; Le Pen is a French patriot and knows Covid is a gobalist hoax while police in France have viciously enforced the Covid hoax and have locked up churches while allowing muslims to do as they please.

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