Re: “Never again? Think again” by Annette Dittert, TNW #498
I’m currently reading Katja Hoyer’s superb book Weimar, about the town and wider Germany in the 1920s and ’30s. What’s so terrifying about it and the current situation, are the colossally obvious parallels with the political situations, not only in Germany but across Europe, the UK and the Atlantic.
Similar to the Brexit vote, people who feel left behind and see no improvement in their lives or their towns, will end up voting for anyone who promises better, however far-fetched.
The same playbook that was used in Weimar is also being used in Germany, France, the US, Clacton and other places. Unless our “progressive” governments get a grip and fast, we’re in trouble.
Richard Debonnaire
Being a German living in Germany, this perspective from outside makes what is happening even more evident, as well as the action we should take to stop it. Thanks a lot, dear Annette Dittert.
Bettina Helfer
Re: “Elon Musk, genius of bullshit,” by James Ball, TNW #498
A four-hour film about Elon Musk? Four minutes of Musk would be too much!
Adam Primhak
Re: “Slavoj Žižek: the defiant European” by John Bleasdale, TNW #498
What a stupendous human being, with a brain the size of a planet. So many people currently in the world spotlight would be incapable of holding a conversation with him – it would be as if Slavoj was speaking Martian.
Keith Brisley
Suggested Reading
Why Slavoj Žižek probably hates you
Re: “The new, organised threat to Britain,” by Matthew d’Ancona, TNW #498
The question isn’t “what new laws do we need?” It is, “why is the full force of the law used against those critical of entities harming the environment or protesting the actions of the Israeli state; while thugs intent on intimidation and public disorder are allowed to run rampant, unchecked?”
The Dover mob was clearly well organised, and the police were warned in advance. If they didn’t already have intelligence reports, one should wonder why not. The police should have been well prepared for the disorder at Dover, and nipped it in the bud.
Just Stop Oil protesters have been arrested for blocking highways and thereby interfering with essential infrastructure – or even discussing doing so. Why were the Dover protesters not arrested on similar charges? Two-tier policing?
There is also a ban on political uniforms, rushed in, in 1936, as a result of the British Union of Fascists’ (the “Blackshirts”) activities. This seems a very broad law, capable of being abused. Yet it clearly intends to prohibit and criminalise the wearing of intimidatory uniforms, such as those worn by this band of neo-Nazis.
Given that laws were available to the police, why were these thugs allowed to proceed? Burnham doesn’t need to make more laws. He needs to ensure the police treat serious, thuggish threats as the criminal enterprises they are.
Peter English
A superb piece that absolutely nails the assertion that facts and truth mean nothing in the face of TikTok and X. I genuinely fear for my young adult offspring as they try to navigate the post-truth world, punctuated by division, bigotry and ignorance.
Jamie Strong
I am surprised that there has not been a public pronouncement from the heads of the Church of England and the Catholic Church in the UK calling on all true Christians to reject the actions and beliefs of Patriot Platform. Sarah Mullally and Richard Moth, do your duty, on behalf of all of us.
Andy Wright
Suggested Reading
The new, organised far right threat to Britain
Re: “Could Reform’s £72m win them power?” by Peter Kellner, TNW #498
Frustratingly, Labour went back on the policy to cap party political donations at £500,000, which would have been a start at reducing the influence the ultra-rich have on our democracy.
The official justification for the retraction was that the unions objected, but the unions contribute relatively little in terms of donations; it’s mainly private donors that make up the bulk.
So I’m assuming Labour caved into lobbying. My question is, why did they cave in?
Giselle Jones
Surely, this article is the best argument for ditching first past the post and introducing proportional representation, of which Bundestag-style mixed-member proportional (MMP) is the best version?
Colin Macken
Re: “The whingeing wellness broflakes” by Holly Thomas, TNW #498
This piece reminded me of what they say about giving up alcohol: Does it let you live longer, or does it just seem like that? What’s the point of life if you don’t enjoy it?
Gordon Titchmarsh
Re: “How the publishing industry failed Jason Arday” by Ian Winwood, TNW #498
Ian Winwood writes of “A tiresomely polarised world.” Christ, if ever a line summed up today!
Ste Thomas
Re: “Why women are obsessed by murder stories” by Lucy Reade, TNW #498
Surely we are seeking the triumph of good over evil? A childlike response to the cruelty of the world. That and cracking good storytelling.
Jacquelyn Murphie
Maybe it’s a way to become more prepared for an attack – to see how others behave and learn from that. I’m in my 50s now and I am still stunned by how many men cannot accept when a woman stands up to them.
Wendy Hodgson
I am in the 10% of women that bucks the trend of reading crime novels in which men murder women. But there again, I like reading history books where men often murder women (as well as other men), so maybe I am not so different after all.
Helen Hart
Suggested Reading
This is why women are obsessed with stories about women being murdered
BELOW THE LINE
Re: “Welcome to PigTok, home of the guinea pig influencers” by Felicity Hannah, TNW #498:
When it comes to guinea pigs, the Andean people have the right idea.
Christopher Harrison
Re: Matthew d’Ancona’s Culture on the Bayeux Tapestry, TNW #498:
I’m not going to the British Museum. I’m sick and tired of trying to get a decent view of anything they put on: the Roman Army display was a classic example. The exhibits were placed far too low for anyone other than children hogging the front row to see anything. The same happened at the Silk Road exhibition.
Now, the Bayeux Tapestry has been laid out flat so only the very front row of visitors will get a good view. I’ll wait until it returns to France, where it will be placed vertically so everyone can see it. Arthur Bennett
My wife and I took our older son and his cousin to Bayeux to celebrate their 18th birthdays. We drove along the French coast, visiting WWII fortifications, then one of the very moving and beautifully maintained cemeteries, before arriving at Bayeux and seeing the tapestry. It was dusk by the time we came out, and we were greeted by a wonderful fireworks display – we had forgotten it was July 14!
Tim Fell
