Anne Applebaum in 2020 on collaboration and resistance:

Separately, each man’s story makes sense. But when examined together, they require some deeper explanation. Until March 1949, Leonhard’s and Wolf’s biographies were strikingly similar. Both grew up inside the Soviet system. Both were educated in Communist ideology, and both had the same values. Both knew that the party was undermining those values. Both knew that the system, allegedly built to promote equality, was deeply unequal, profoundly unfair, and very cruel. Like their counterparts in so many other times and places, both men could plainly see the gap between propaganda and reality. Yet one remained an enthusiastic collaborator, while the other could not bear the betrayal of his ideals. Why?

It’s a … Read the rest

Mmyeah. This is the way to do it. Just list all the good things and don’t pause for a single second to ask whether they are compatible with each other. Six twelve a million impossible things before breakfast.

https://twitter.com/socialistworker/status/1880725901253734690

Sure, kid, sure – challenge sexism and shout that men are women.

How’s that going?… Read the rest

Infant.

Donald Trump has said he will “most likely” give TikTok a 90-day reprieve from a ban that is due to take effect on Sunday, on the eve of his swearing-in as the 47th US president.

I don’t have an opinion about TikTok or its ban or its reprieve from a ban, because I know pretty much nothing about it.

“The 90-day extension is something that will be most likely done, because it’s appropriate. You know, it’s appropriate. We have to look at it carefully. It’s a very big situation,” Trump said in a phone interview with NBC News.

He made similarly remarks hours later to ABC News.

“Well, I have the right as you know, I’m the one

… Read the rest

Trendies gonna trendy.

Kind words from one of the speakers at #WomensMarchUK#BeKind pic.twitter.com/gCbXoQYWGU

— Sam Barber (@SamBarber1910) January 18, 2025

Remind us (or at least me) who she is?

Happy to announce that I’ll be speaking at the women’s march in London on the 18th. See you there x https://t.co/ABvhqGP3VA

— Patsy Stevenson (@PatsyeStevenson) January 7, 2025

Ah. Of course. The “feminists” who rejoice to give away everything that belongs to women.

(Giving a talk in your underwear is a nice touch.)… Read the rest

That Baker guy knows how to flatter himself.

Have you seen his proposed statement? Priceless. pic.twitter.com/lxmGmUmzTb

— Eva Poen (@EvaPoen) January 17, 2025

“her invaluable work…her message and expertise…kindly agreed…continues to stand in solidarity…sends her best wishes…reaffirming her belief…we hope to collaborate with her”… Read the rest

Oh goodness gracious me, they had no idea.

Organisers of a women’s rights march have been forced to drop a transgender speaker after being “made aware” of a violent past.

The co-ordinators of the UK Women’s March (UKWM) caused outrage by asking Sarah Jane Baker, a convicted criminal, to address crowds on Saturday in London. The organisers had encouraged “anyone who is an ally of women and believes in women’s rights” to march with them in the fight for gender equality – and the event was set to have Baker as a speaker.

However, they have now said that Baker will not be given a platform. They said they had not previously known that the transgender rights activist

… Read the rest

And sure enough, “trans rights” front and center in the mockingly named “Women’s March.”

https://twitter.com/LoisMcLatch/status/1880609449297228048… Read the rest

The UK women’s march – the one that’s incloosive of men – is today, so it’s probably happening (in multiple cities) now.

It’s pathetic how anti-feminist it is.

The Facebook group – with 21 thousand members – has a statement. Most of it is what you’d expect; the rest of it isn’t.

We are marching because reproductive rights are being removed state by state in the US making it increasingly more difficult to access safe abortions, and where vital healthcare is needed to save a woman’s life.

We are marching because discrimination and violence against trans women and girls has increased around the world. Anti-trans rhetoric prevents women from addressing the real issues they encounter by reinforcing the gender

… Read the rest

Originally a comment by Your Name’s not Bruce? on Empathy deficit.

There’s no legal obligation on a bi or even c i s / straight person to declare their personal info…

Sure there is. If you deceive someone into having sex with you by pretending to be someone you’re not, it doesn’t matter what your orientation, or “gender identity” is. It’s the deception part that is wrong. You are lying about your “personal info.” That’s going to be a red flag no matter what that personal info is, if the other person’s consent hinges on that very information. To put it more transactionally, you’re not allowed to purchase something with counterfeit money. In fact it’s a crime. The … Read the rest

A deep question.

I don’t get the “informed consent” though, Rajan. Why should trans people have to declare themselves? There’s nothing wrong with someone being trans. There’s no legal obligation on a bi or even c i s / straight person to declare their personal info – so I don’t see why we have…

— India Willoughby (@IndiaWilloughby) January 17, 2025

Because they’re playing a trick, that’s why.

I suppose there are some circumstances where it doesn’t matter much, but for anything up close and personal, yes morally speaking you damn well should inform.

And there is something wrong with being trans: it’s based on a lie, and it’s inherently deceptive.… Read the rest

This just in –

https://twitter.com/canthelpmenow7/status/1880327639266890096 Para 4 is extremely annoying. “No we are NOT going to rethink our abject submission to trans ideology, we’re going to continue force-teaming women and feminists and LGB and the left and Uncle Tom Cobley and all.”

Also the “mutually agreed” part is odd. What mean? He agreed that he’s a violent man with a violent history and should not be anywhere near a women’s march? Then why did he accept in the first place? Why did you invite him in the first place?

Why, in fact, DID YOU INVITE HIM IN THE FIRST PLACE?

These people are such fucking fools.… Read the rest

The inclooosive women’s march has a Facebook page.

It lists some rules.

2 No Hate Speech or Bullying

We want to ensure that this group feels safe for everyone. Therefore, bullying or degrading comments about race, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated.

And of course comments about genner idenniny are considered bullying and degrading if they fail to bend the knee to the Obvious Absolute Truth of the dogma that people can change sex just by saying so.

4 No Discrimination. No transphobia.

This is a women’s support march which includes anyone born female, identifies as female, or just wants to support other women. This is an inclusive space. Discrimination or transphobia will not be

… Read the rest

More on the march that identifies as a women’s march while it expresses intense hostility toward women:

A protest for women’s rights will take place this weekend across various cities in the country, including Bristol.

UK Women’s March, organised by Grassroots Feminism, will hold demonstrations against Donald Trump’s reelection, as well as recent comments made by Nigel Farage on abortion.

…

Grassroots organiser, Carolyn Storer, posted their statement regarding the need for these marches to their official Facebook and Instagram pages.

It reads, “With Donald Trump set to return as US president in January 2025 and Nigel Farage picking up the anti-abortion mantle here in the UK, it’s time to make our voices heard.

“We are marching because violence against women

… Read the rest

All is not well in Women’s March land.

It’s supposed to be a women’s march, and yet, women are kicked out, kicked aside, kicked to the curb, for refusing to pretend that men are women.

You can’t have a feminism that refuses to recognize a man when it sees one. You sure as hell can’t have a feminism that punishes women for recognizing a man when they see one. You sure as hell with knobs on can’t have a feminism that boots women out of a women’s event because they recognize a man when they see one.

You also can’t have a private group that is inclusive.

Who are these bozos?… Read the rest

Undefined buzzwords displace thought.

The "equality act" (2010) and GRA, that's how these men "legally" gain access to women-only places… pic.twitter.com/6eLXEBpuXS

— Jonny Bell (@Jonnywsbell) January 17, 2025

“But ultimately, it’s important to remember that under the Equality Act 2010, all organizations have a responsibility to make sure trans people are included at work and don’t face discrimination.”

Yes but what are you meaning by “included at work”? What are you meaning by “face discrimination”?

We’re supposed to understand those two items in the familiar generic way, but that’s not what he means by them at all. He means a special new meaning of “included” and “discrimination.”

The familiar generic way is just that inclusion means not being shunned or … Read the rest

Seriously disgusting.

Official portrait of Donald J. Trump, the 47th President of the United States, has been released.

Follow: @AFpost pic.twitter.com/9V2BUej1Lh

— AF Post (@AFpost) January 16, 2025

… Read the rest

From the Bad People file:

Pam Bondi, President-elect Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Justice (DOJ), has a history of “undermining” voting rights, according to a report opposing Bondi from the NAACP’s Legal Defense Fund. 

The report highlights that Bondi’s work as Florida attorney general and as chair of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) make her “unfit” for the office of U.S. attorney general.

“Ms. Bondi has a record of limiting voting rights, baselessly undermining faith in U.S. elections, and encouraging politically motivated prosecutions as an act of vengeance,” the report states.

“By contrast, DOJ has historically played a vital role in protecting the right to vote, a function that has become even more important in a

… Read the rest

Catastrophize much?

Activists left this outside Wes Streeting's office. pic.twitter.com/TNg3KFb6j5

— Gay Not Queer (@Gaynotqueer1) January 16, 2025

… Read the rest

More on the trans laydee actor winning a women’s award:

Spanish performer Karla Sofía Gascón, 52, starred in the Mexican musical comedy Emilia Pérez, a film about a cartel boss who transitions from a man to a woman to escape vengeful criminals.

The British Academy is the latest film body to include the transgender performer in a best actress category, following the Cannes Film Festival and the Golden Globes.

…

Gascón could become the first ever transgender best actress at the Baftas if she fends off competition from Cynthia Erivo for Wicked, Marianne Jean-Baptiste for Hard Truths, Mikey Madison for Anora, Saoirse Ronan for The Outrun, and Demi Moore for The Substance.

That’s five women potentially cheated out of … Read the rest

Liverpool Anglican Cathedral and Rainbow Toffees – reach for the stars, Willoughby!

https://twitter.com/Glinner/status/1879957610239258844

Yeah boy what could be more inspiring than India Willoughby?

The goldy spiky crown is a nice touch. Is he ascended like that Jesus fella?… Read the rest