While I wholeheartedly disagree with Andrew and Douglas Murray on Brexit, they are amongst my favourite writers and I'm always happy to see an email announcing a fresh article from Andrew on whatever topic. This article reminded me of visiting Poland during a time when people hid any "subversive" literature in case the security policy paid a visit. That literally was in 1984. Incredible that we've come to this pass in the UK.
I've just searched for an update about Lucy Connolly. Reuters (Reuters!) have a "fact check" article, assuring us: "UK woman jailed for inciting racial hatred, NOT posting hurtful words". Reuters failed to report the doublespeak in the judge's sentencing remarks. Decide for yourselves:
"In relation to the offence I have regard to the fact that although it was widely read, you did not repeat any such statement and in due course deleted it and you sent some messages to the effect that violence was not the answer.
19. You have had tragedy in your own life with the loss of your very young child some years ago. I have read the psychiatric report from some twelve years ago as to the psychiatric difficulties you then suffered.
20. I accept that you still very keenly feel that loss.
21. There is no recent psychiatric evidence and whilst you may well have
understood the grief of those who suffered their own tragic losses in Southport you did not send a message of understanding and comfort but rather an incitement to hatred. There is no evidence of any mental disorder having any material affect on you committing this offence.
22. Similarly whilst I accept you regret your actions and I have been referred to messages in which you say that you disagree with racism and violence, it is clear from the evidence of your own words in the days following your actions, what you said to the police and what you said to the probation officer that you have little insight into, or acceptance of, your actions.
I own up to owning a copy of Mein Kampf, as well as plenty of classics by Marx, Nietzsche and by various anarchists. I have a collection of writings by Keynes that sits next to books by Friedrich Hayek and Karl Popper. Freud and Jung share the same shelf with Foucault, Marcuse and Fromm. Paul Embery rubs spines with Nick Cohen and Douglas Murray. I challenge anyone to make assumptions about my political outlook from a rummage through my bookshelves. One thing I will advertise very loudly - in case any cops are snooping on my posts - is that I do NOT possess anything railway related by Michael Portillo.
Brilliant post ,Andrew. However ,one of my bookshelves would definitely ( and accurately ) paint me as a terf and a patriotic Brit !! War on the West is just one of them !!. Thanks ,Andrew .
But how do you enlighten people who have been force-fed this poisonous ideology like fattened geese since primary school? How many people do any of us know who have changed their minds on cultural or political issues? John Boyne apologising to Graham Linehan for criticising him over trans issues was memorable because it was so rare. Why are so many so terrified of changing their mind? A friend and I have polar opposite views on immigration and recently he confessed to me, "Actually, I agree with a lot of your views but I still stand by my opinions." That's non-sensical. You've alluded to this before, Andrew, I think, with the term 'identity quake' - the fear of being shown to have been in the wrong. (I hope I've not misquoted you.) Mark Steyn phrased it differently recently: 'The fear of having been played for a sucker.' Still, if Keir Starmer can turn on a sixpence and suddenly declare himself anti-immigration then what's the problem? Principles and moral standpoints are fine until they reach their sell-by date.
Yes, I remember those podcast backdrops during lockdown with people trying desperately to seem so casually cool and highbrow. How I longed to see someone broadcasting in front of a pile of old Seagal, Norris and Van Damme boxed sets, a few Wurzels CDs or a couple of old wrestling posters featuring Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and the like.
I used to teach secondary school science and encouraged older students to “read around the subject” to enhance their understanding and contextualise new material. I also encouraged a critical-thinking approach.
Reading about Mr Gove’s bookshelf contents we can only infer that biographies of Mussolini Stalin and Thatcher exist on the shelf: and as they may belong to any member of the Gove household it’s tenuous to assign ownership to Michael. Even if they do belong to Michael he may well explain that he’s broadening his understanding of people whose views he may not agree with – he’s reading around the subject.
It's tempting to think that those who jump to the conclusion that possession of a Brexity book is evidence of an allegiance may not be schooled in the idea of “reading-around”: after all when you “just know” you’re on the side of right reading-around may be downright uncomfortable. And it’s equally tempting to think that if 6 burly coppers perused your bookshelves they wouldn’t notice the “anti-brexity” titles because they’re only looking for suspicion-confirming evidence.
We're heading towards a situation where the possession of *any* quantity of books will be regarded with suspicion, let alone 'Brexity' ones. (I'd love to interview the plod that uttered those words for more detail 😉).
Handwriting (of greater length than a shopping list) is pretty much already an elite skill and has almost disappeared as a method of communication.
While I wholeheartedly disagree with Andrew and Douglas Murray on Brexit, they are amongst my favourite writers and I'm always happy to see an email announcing a fresh article from Andrew on whatever topic. This article reminded me of visiting Poland during a time when people hid any "subversive" literature in case the security policy paid a visit. That literally was in 1984. Incredible that we've come to this pass in the UK.
I've just searched for an update about Lucy Connolly. Reuters (Reuters!) have a "fact check" article, assuring us: "UK woman jailed for inciting racial hatred, NOT posting hurtful words". Reuters failed to report the doublespeak in the judge's sentencing remarks. Decide for yourselves:
"In relation to the offence I have regard to the fact that although it was widely read, you did not repeat any such statement and in due course deleted it and you sent some messages to the effect that violence was not the answer.
19. You have had tragedy in your own life with the loss of your very young child some years ago. I have read the psychiatric report from some twelve years ago as to the psychiatric difficulties you then suffered.
20. I accept that you still very keenly feel that loss.
21. There is no recent psychiatric evidence and whilst you may well have
understood the grief of those who suffered their own tragic losses in Southport you did not send a message of understanding and comfort but rather an incitement to hatred. There is no evidence of any mental disorder having any material affect on you committing this offence.
22. Similarly whilst I accept you regret your actions and I have been referred to messages in which you say that you disagree with racism and violence, it is clear from the evidence of your own words in the days following your actions, what you said to the police and what you said to the probation officer that you have little insight into, or acceptance of, your actions.
I own up to owning a copy of Mein Kampf, as well as plenty of classics by Marx, Nietzsche and by various anarchists. I have a collection of writings by Keynes that sits next to books by Friedrich Hayek and Karl Popper. Freud and Jung share the same shelf with Foucault, Marcuse and Fromm. Paul Embery rubs spines with Nick Cohen and Douglas Murray. I challenge anyone to make assumptions about my political outlook from a rummage through my bookshelves. One thing I will advertise very loudly - in case any cops are snooping on my posts - is that I do NOT possess anything railway related by Michael Portillo.
Show off! ;P
:-D
Brilliant post ,Andrew. However ,one of my bookshelves would definitely ( and accurately ) paint me as a terf and a patriotic Brit !! War on the West is just one of them !!. Thanks ,Andrew .
But how do you enlighten people who have been force-fed this poisonous ideology like fattened geese since primary school? How many people do any of us know who have changed their minds on cultural or political issues? John Boyne apologising to Graham Linehan for criticising him over trans issues was memorable because it was so rare. Why are so many so terrified of changing their mind? A friend and I have polar opposite views on immigration and recently he confessed to me, "Actually, I agree with a lot of your views but I still stand by my opinions." That's non-sensical. You've alluded to this before, Andrew, I think, with the term 'identity quake' - the fear of being shown to have been in the wrong. (I hope I've not misquoted you.) Mark Steyn phrased it differently recently: 'The fear of having been played for a sucker.' Still, if Keir Starmer can turn on a sixpence and suddenly declare himself anti-immigration then what's the problem? Principles and moral standpoints are fine until they reach their sell-by date.
Yes, I remember those podcast backdrops during lockdown with people trying desperately to seem so casually cool and highbrow. How I longed to see someone broadcasting in front of a pile of old Seagal, Norris and Van Damme boxed sets, a few Wurzels CDs or a couple of old wrestling posters featuring Big Daddy, Giant Haystacks and the like.
I used to teach secondary school science and encouraged older students to “read around the subject” to enhance their understanding and contextualise new material. I also encouraged a critical-thinking approach.
Reading about Mr Gove’s bookshelf contents we can only infer that biographies of Mussolini Stalin and Thatcher exist on the shelf: and as they may belong to any member of the Gove household it’s tenuous to assign ownership to Michael. Even if they do belong to Michael he may well explain that he’s broadening his understanding of people whose views he may not agree with – he’s reading around the subject.
It's tempting to think that those who jump to the conclusion that possession of a Brexity book is evidence of an allegiance may not be schooled in the idea of “reading-around”: after all when you “just know” you’re on the side of right reading-around may be downright uncomfortable. And it’s equally tempting to think that if 6 burly coppers perused your bookshelves they wouldn’t notice the “anti-brexity” titles because they’re only looking for suspicion-confirming evidence.
We're heading towards a situation where the possession of *any* quantity of books will be regarded with suspicion, let alone 'Brexity' ones. (I'd love to interview the plod that uttered those words for more detail 😉).
Handwriting (of greater length than a shopping list) is pretty much already an elite skill and has almost disappeared as a method of communication.
Great piece, Andrew.
I saw a great spoof image of a Brexity Things bookshop!!
Have cross posted
https://dustymasterson.substack.com/p/just-making-sure
Dusty