575 – Our godless morality

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Sep 272018
 

Contemplation

As faith-based religion continues to lose its monopoly on morality, the source and nature of mankind’s morality is finally being openly questioned and discussed. In fact, that discussion has been drawing unprecedented audiences to both social media and to live venues, where the likes of Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris have essentially established the popular – and incorrect – framework of this public debate.

It’s not surprising in the least that these debates have never produced a resolution; one cannot resolve a philosophical dilemma without confining oneself to the discipline of philosophy itself. In attempting to resolve issues of ‘free will’, determinism, choice, and morality, neither ‘faith’ nor ‘pragmatism’ offer any solutions.

Morality has but one source and one standard: the preservation of human life itself. That is the ‘good.’ The destruction of human life is the ‘evil.’ Morality has no other application or purpose. Like any discipline, the development of an objective moral code is fundamentally a science, and as such, must be based on evidence and reason, not on faith or intuition.

As the third branch in the hierarchy of philosophy (the first two being metaphysics and epistemology), the development of any moral code will necessarily be based on whatever conclusions have been drawn from the first two. This is why the discussion about morality has largely become hijacked by a needless and meaningless debate over atheism versus religious faith. Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 029 – The ultimate conclusion

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Sep 232018
 

California is a state in crisis, mostly self-imposed. Given its government’s Leftist mindset, the crisis is bound to deepen.

As if oblivious to the human excrement on the streets, the needles littering every block, and much more, California has focused instead on legislating everything from ‘straw bans’ to passing laws about the kinds of beverages restaurants must offer their customers. Because water prices are regulated by the state, the state is now rationing water, with threats of $1000/day fines for those households exceeding water usage of 55 gallons per day.

To ‘fix’ the California state-burdened economy, the state legislature is forcing an increase in the number of female directors on state corporate boards, arguing that this will ‘boost’ the economy as well. The forced sexual discrimination is accompanied with all the usual threats of fines and imprisonment for those who do not comply.

With this kind of thinking going on in government, small wonder that many have become hopelessly cynical about California’s future. Podcaster Bill Whittle has proposed that “the way to fix California is to take the liberal’s positions to their ultimate conclusions.” Danielle and Robert describe those conclusions as a bullet – “the bullet at the end of the gun that is government.” Continue reading »

Sep 202018
 

The New York Times

That there are those who would regard the New York Times’ anonymous admission of a crime to be an ‘op-ed’ is astounding: “I Am Part of the Resistance Inside the Trump Administration. I work for the president but like-minded colleagues and I have vowed to thwart parts of his agenda and his worst inclinations” reads the Sept 5, 2018 headline.

How is it possible that an admission of this sort can be considered ‘opinion’?

This is no ‘opinion.’ It is an assertion of fact on the part of its writer. It is not possible to argue that claiming to be part of a ‘resistance’ is an ‘opinion.’ Nor does the blind rage and hatred expressed against Trump in the same editorial qualify for ‘opinion’ status since it is utterly baseless and presented without a single example or referent on which that ‘opinion’ is based. It is not opinion; it is hate speech.

All participants in this crime, including the New York Times, which has admitted knowing who the criminal is, should be prosecuted to the fullest extent that US law allows. Continue reading »

573 – Guest: Salim Mansur – Political theatre from NAFTA to The New York Times

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Sep 132018
 

NAFTA

How Canada will fare in closing trade negotiations with the United States is among the big questions of the day. Actions like Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau’s impotent trade retaliations only serve to demonstrate Canada’s failure to understand the election of Donald Trump, a president who has vowed from the beginning that he would re-negotiate NAFTA.

So says Salim Mansur, who joins us for a discussion that illustrates ‘political theatre’ from NAFTA to the New York Times, where an admission of apparent criminal and unethical behavior on the part of an anonymous op-ed writer is being reported as reflecting poorly on Donald Trump! Thanks to the Trump Derangement Syndrome, when it comes to anything political, we don’t get news anymore. Instead we get political theatre masquerading as news.

Watching Leftist politicians/media on both sides of the Canada/US border signal the virtues of ‘free trade’ while standing firm on their protectionist policies is pure political theatre. It is political theatre watching them accuse Trump of being the villain opposed to free trade – when the only national leader on the world stage who has explicitly sought ‘zero’ tariffs and barriers in those very terms has been Donald Trump!

Fact is, certain economic interests often join forces with political interests willing to use the force of law to give them a trade advantage by placing barriers and tariffs on their competition. Or, an advantage can be secured by government subsidies or tax breaks unavailable to others. Given his ‘no tariffs no barriers’ trade philosophy, that’s why Donald Trump is their enemy and must be made to look the fool.

Free trade is not merely about economics, as most would like to believe. In arriving at a trade deal that is Just Right for everyone affected, it might be useful to remember that the ‘free’ in ‘free trade’ ultimately refers to the individuals engaged in it.

The Danielle Metz Show – 028 – The simplest thing in the world

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Sep 092018
 

“Believe in something, even if it means sacrificing everything.”

That’s the slogan being promoted by Colin Kaepernick and Nike’s ‘Just Do It’ ad campaign.

While at first glance, both the slogan and campaign name sound inspiring and uplifting, a second glance reveals that they are equally applicable to both positive and negative values.

Known as the ‘kneeling millionaire’ for choosing to kneel on one knee in advance of a 2016 NFL game (as a political protest against killings of blacks by police), Kaepernick rose to celebrity status – by not rising to the national anthem playing at the time. Continue reading »

Sep 062018
 

Newspaper Boy

U.S. President Donald Trump has accused Google and other tech companies of ‘rigging’ on-line news searches in a manner biased against ‘conservative’ voices. The situation has become serious enough that the White House is considering whether such companies should be subject to some government regulation, a risky precedent to say the least.

It is the failure to establish ‘evidence’ of such ‘bias,’ say Trump’s opponents, that Trump’s claim is questionable. However, it is indisputable that the problem identified by Trump is real – even as many continue to dispute it.

The established media on the Left has framed the entire debate as a conflict between Trump and the media. But the real conflict is strictly within the media: between an old and corrupt ‘fourth estate’ that has degenerated into a ‘false estate’ – and a new emerging ‘fourth estate’ beginning to take form.

So despite his charges of media bias, it might be surprising to learn that Donald Trump actually trusts certain news sources. Apparently, near the top of his list is the Epoch Times, an on-line and print media source (published in 35 countries and 21 languages) that has a mission statement dedicated to “providing readers with an objective, informed perspective on issues that matter to them. In our approach and in our content, we uphold universal human values, rights, and freedoms.” Continue reading »

Sep 022018
 

Public apologies to the collective have become a rage for the Left these days, and the apologies themselves reveal much about this new social(ist) media fad:

“I am deeply sorry for my inappropriate and insensitive words and ‘likes’ on social media. I take full responsibility for my actions and I sincerely apologize. This has been a pivotal life lesson for me. I’m dedicated to becoming a more informed and educated version of myself.” So said actor Israel Broussard (Net Flix – To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before) in response to the criticism he received for his own social media posts and ‘likes.’

The reason the Left likes apologies like Broussard’s is because the apologies themselves are being made TO the Left. The climate of intolerance surrounding the predominantly Left Hollywood crowd these days is downright ‘Orwellian’ notes Danielle in conversation with Robert about this continuing sinister trend.

The visible gap between the morality and character of the heroes often played by Hollywood actors on TV and in the movies – and their own real values as expressed on social media and in the news – is disappointing to say the least. Worse, while there are still exceptions, most ‘Hollywood’ productions themselves no longer even express positive values. Continue reading »

Aug 302018
 

Scheer and Bernier

Maxime Bernier, whose recent loss to Andrew Scheer for the leadership of the Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) precipitated an internal power struggle, dropped a political bomb just as the party was heading into its 2018 party convention in preparation for next year’s Canadian federal election.

That ‘bomb’ was not simply the fact of Bernier’s announced resignation from the CPC, which would have been serious enough. Nor was the ‘bomb’ his scathing judgement that the CPC was “intellectually and morally corrupt,” something rarely heard in Canadian circles – and coming from a past leadership contender for that same party – a devastating indictment.

However, the real political ‘bomb’ was Bernier’s announcement that he would start a new Canadian political party (as yet unnamed) – and lead it into next year’s federal election in the hopes of defeating both Canada’s ruling Liberal Party and opposition Conservative Party. The implications for Canadians are enormous and so is the potential opportunity – or obstacle -that a new Canadian political party represents to the electorate.

As a conservative who both appreciates the principled views of Maxime Bernier and the importance of political party unity, Andrew Lawton joins us for a discussion about the potential consequences of this incredible development. Having recently represented Ontario Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservative Party in London West during Ontario’s last election, Andrew shares his views on the perpetual balancing act faced by political parties on the ‘right.’ Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 026 – The race card

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Aug 262018
 

Canadians were shocked recently when Canada’s Prime Minister Justin Trudeau accused a woman attending a public rally in Quebec of being racist. What made the accusation shocking was that it was a response to a strictly fiscal question.

Trudeau was simply being asked the same question being put to him by many Canadian provincial premiers, including Ontario’s Doug Ford. In essence, when will Trudeau’s federal government reimburse the provinces for costs imposed upon them by federal policies that encourage ‘illegal’ immigration into the country? With the provinces forced to foot the bill for an exclusively federal initiative, it’s a perfectly reasonable concern.

In attempting to solve the mystery of Trudeau’s irrational reaction to a perfectly valid question, Danielle and Robert are both forced to conclude that, since race was never even mentioned until he raised it, it is Trudeau who is the racist.

Worse, it now appears that the term ‘illegal’ when used as an adjective to describe those entering a country without going through due process – is ‘racist’ – especially if the person using the word happens to be white. Continue reading »

Aug 232018
 

god

“God is the Supreme Being.” True or false?

Remarkably, this question can result in four acceptable responses, depending on one’s perspective: 1. TRUE; 2. FALSE; 3. BOTH true and false; 4. NEITHER true nor false. What makes this apparent paradox possible is a matter of definition and context (i.e., literal or allegorical).

Presented by Pangburn Philosophy and chaired by Bret Weinstein, the June 23 Vancouver BC debate between Jordan Peterson and Sam Harris on the nature of God and morality offered a classic illustration of this epistemological phenomenon, and is the focus of our look at the ‘God problem.’

To complicate matters, even the use of the words ‘true or false’ can present ambiguity. Though most agree on what ‘false’ means, the meaning of ‘true’ is another matter entirely, especially when confused with ‘Truth.’ Continue reading »

Left, Right & Center – 248 – Oct. 11, 2006 – Terms of protest / Solving gun crime

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Aug 192018
 

Caledonia Protest

The more things change the more they stay the same. That is certainly true when it comes to principals and principles. While Antifa are the main principals when it comes to protests in 2018 back in 2006 it was a gang of thugs in Caledonia, Ontario. And while the principals may have changed what remains unchanged are the the principles upon which the law should act when faced with such protests.

Dusting off a 12-year-old episode of Left, Right & Center with Jim Chapman and Bob Metz we find reference to the old Caledonia protest and the philosophic principles which should guide the actions of law enforcement. It can be demonstrated that when they disregard these principles only more chaos and protests ensue.

Also in this episode; just a few short weeks away from Canada’s relaxing of cannabis prohibition laws we can go back to 2006 and hear how Bob Metz correctly predicted the collusion between government and organized crime (cronies) years before anyone could have foreseen the new pot laws. Gun crime was the issue being discussed but one of the solutions was the end to cannabis prohibition; a real end and not just a continuation of monopolistic control on the growth and distribution which we see being planned by many provincial governments.

Not heard since it was originally broadcast on CHRW on October 11, 2006, and just a few months away from the creation of his own program, have a listen to Bob Metz put two never-ending issues into a perspective which is Just Right.

Aug 192018
 

Banning plastic straws is among the latest environmental fads of the Left, and it’s impossible to resist pointing out just how much this one sucks.

While one jurisdiction has imposed penalties as high as six months in jail and a $1000 fine for serving a straw with a drink in a restaurant, another jurisdiction – San Francisco – is planning to ban straws, carry-out containers and wrappers. The utter futility of the gestures is dwarfed by their hypocrisy.

San Francisco has today become a city with conditions worse than that in many impoverished third-world nations. Human feces lies on every block of the city, drug addicts openly shoot up on the streets in public, and the city dispenses hundreds of thousands of free needles also littering the streets. Poverty and homelessness abounds. In the midst of all this, its new mayor apparently believes that ‘education’ will solve the problem.

As it undeservedly adopts a moral high ground in condemning ‘plastic refuse,’ the Left simultaneously celebrates and perpetuates the human refuse in its wake. Such is the plastic politics of pollution. Continue reading »

569 – Sex derangement syndrome

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Aug 162018
 

‘Syndrome’ and ‘derangement’ are both words that accurately describe what has been driving many of the irrational objections to Donald Trump. They also apply to the kind of thinking that supports irrational objectives like ‘fighting climate change.’ But when it comes to anything we could call a ‘derangement syndrome,’ the Left’s irrationality concerning Donald Trump and climate can’t hold a candle to its ideas about sex and heterosexuality.

To the Left and its many radical feminists, the reality of a male-female binary represents a political problem to be solved. Part of that solution is to first deny that the binary even exists. Then, assert that heterosexuality is ‘forced’ and that sexual/gender preferences are completely a product of socialization – all nurture, no nature. From children’s toys to adult pornography, the biology that drives such preferences has been driven from discussion.

It’s deranged thinking, particularly when faced with the evidence. As Gad Saad, evolutionary behavioral scientist at the John Molson School of Business Concordia University, insists: “Biology counts!”

By examining relevant ‘idea pathogens,’ the source of much of the Left’s deranged thinking about gender and sex can be identified. To counter these deranged ‘idea pathogens,’ Dr. Saad recommends the establishment of various ‘nomological networks of cumulative evidence’ – accumulated evidence that is unassailable when used against arguments denying such evidence.

Are human sex and gender behaviors the result of ‘nature or nurture?’ To answer that question objectively requires an examination of the actual evidence in a way that is Just Right.

Aug 122018
 

No matter its legal status, abortion continues to generate a polarized debate that will never be aborted. Which ‘right’ is the valid right? The ‘right’ to an abortion or the ‘right’ to life? Given polarized views of life, death, and individual rights – the abortion controversy is perpetual.

Whatever one’s view on the subject, the idea of ‘celebrating’ abortion as one might celebrate life has forced the issue back into the spotlight. In a skit that has arguably ‘crossed the line,’ comedienne Michelle Wolf’s recent ‘celebration of abortion’ (The Break / Netflix) was not particularly funny in the view of many.

Wolf’s skit reflects the Left’s nihilistic view of life, suggest Danielle and Robert in their consideration of the moral and ethical issues involved: “normalizing abortion by making it heroic.”

Calls for the outright prohibition of abortion have long been associated with the Right, particularly since those calls have been seen to originate from the so-called ‘social’ conservatives. In contrast, ‘fiscal’ and ‘pragmatic’ conservatives prefer to leave the abortion issue off the political table entirely – while ‘progressive’ conservatives would fully support a Leftist agenda. Continue reading »

568 – Guest: Salim Mansur – After NAFTA

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Aug 092018
 

After NAFTA

The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) as we know it no longer exists. In an era of shifting trade winds precipitated by the free trade policies of Donald Trump (no tariffs, no barriers, no subsidies, etc), the threat of a global ‘trade war’ has now crossed the horizon.

That ‘war’ is being precipitated by the nations who most insist on maintaining their controls on free trade, while hypocritically pretending to be on the side of ‘free trade.’ To them, Donald Trump is the ‘bully.’ Bully for them. But crying ‘bully’ doesn’t make it so.

As Western University’s assistant professor of political science Salim Mansur illustrates, we are witnessing a shift in world trade – away from the destructive policies of ‘globalism’ and back to a world of sovereign nations, each determining its own destiny and interests against those imposed upon it by other nations.

The lesson to be learned is that every nation – whether under ‘globalism’ or ‘nationalism’ – will always act in its own interest. As soon as that interest in no longer served, old ‘alliances’ quickly fade while new ones are formed.

Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 023 – The intellectual dark web

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Aug 052018
 

Need to shine a light on today’s most important political and social controversies? Apparently the place to go is to the intellectual ‘dark web’ or perhaps even to the critical ‘darker’ web where disagreements abound, but honesty, a respect for free speech, and a general sincere desire to improve humanity’s condition seem to be the common ground on which its debaters stand.

In their quick review of a veritable ‘Who’s Who’ on the ‘dark web,’ Robert and Danielle highlight the contrasts and similarities among its most notable representatives – whether on the Left or Right. They include Gad Saad, Joe Rogan, Camille Paglia, Owen Benjamin, Lindsay Shepherd, Christina Hoff Somers, Douglas Murray, Dave Rubin, Jordan Peterson, Sam Harris, Ben Shapiro, Ayaan Hirsi Ali, Steven Crowder, Matt Christensen – and of course, Eric Weinstein.

In his recent conversation with Dave Rubin and Jordan Peterson (Rubin Report, June 29/18), Weinstein proposed “hermaphroditic parties” that ‘combine’ elements of right and left. Of course, such a notion is one that can only emanate from the Left. But his is a ‘Left’ largely disassociated from its namesake (where no debate or discussion is permitted) – and thus finds itself, like the Right, on the so-called ‘dark web.’

Whether on the Left or Right, members of the ‘dark web’ generally tend to be united in a search for ‘truth’ through open and honest debate and discussion.

The irony of all this of course, is that in order to create the free speech environment where true alternative viewpoints can be freely discussed, it was necessary to move toward the side of the political polarity that is Just Right.

Aug 022018
 

Lobster

Anyone attending his London Ontario appearance at Centennial Hall on July 21 would have noticed that Jordan Peterson’s message is no longer focused on gender issues or on his conflict with university policies. His mission has now turned towards philosophical fundamentals and the determination of Truth.

In this venture, Dr Peterson has relied heavily upon religious and mythological symbolism and metaphor, while finding himself opposed to most ‘atheistic’ philosophical interpretations of Truth. Secular philosophies, he suggests, are incapable of describing humanity’s Truth, lacking “an animated, spiritual world, saturated with meaning, imbued with moral purpose.”

This view of Truth has now itself become subject to a growing controversy, one ironically being debated amongst those who are already generally agreed that Truth and Reality are objectively determined – which includes today’s show panelists as they review some of the ideas of Jordan Peterson.

Do abstractions and religious stories used to describe Truth help clarify or confuse the issue? The correct answer may simply depend on perspective and context. Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 022 – The View from here

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Jul 292018
 

In responding to talk show guest Judge Jeanine Pirro, The View’s Whoopi Goldberg declared “I don’t have Trump Derangement; let me tell you what I have. I’m tired of people starting a conversation with “Mexicans are liars and rapists.” The ‘debate’ ended shortly thereafter with Goldberg ejecting Pirro from the show. She then became verbally abusive by swearing and directing profanity against the Trump-supporting judge.

Agreeing that this viewing of ‘the View’ was an uncomfortable one, Robert and Danielle also view Whoopi’s embarrassing meltdown and reaction to Pirro’s arguments as yet another symptom of the Left’s inability to defend itself. Ironically, it is also an extreme example of Trump Derangement Syndrome, in which the sufferer denies the affliction while openly exhibiting its symptoms.

Given that Trump never made any such statement, Goldberg’s hysteria was understandable. Her assertion against Trump could neither be justified nor verified, yet she insisted on asserting it – more evidence of the emotional compulsion that drives Trump Derangement Syndrome. Goldberg’s later non-apologetic apology was just the icing on the symptom.

Thanks to its panel of Leftists like Whoopi Goldberg, ‘the View’ provides everyone with an inside view of Leftist views – views apparently not debatable when contradicted by facts.

Fortunately for Danielle and Robert, ‘the View’ from here is Just Right.

Jul 262018
 

Green Hills

Despite political claims to the contrary, the ‘science’ has never been ‘settled’ on the contentious issue of ‘climate change,’ formerly known as ‘global warming.’ It never will be, as long as the climate keeps changing, which it will.

The belief that our planetary climate can be kept ‘un-changed’ by means of various carbon tax schemes is practically the definition of ‘irrational’ – and that’s why we’ve called this belief the Climate Derangement Syndrome (CDS).

Only a social affliction, like the ‘emotional plague’ described by Wilhelm Reich in his Mass Psychology of Fascism, or a completely sinister agenda masquerading behind a veil of false virtue signaling, could possibly explain such an irrational belief in objective terms.

One cannot help but notice that sufferers of CDS continually focus their attention on the political climate while pretending to be concerned with the planetary climate. Continue reading »

Jul 192018
 

The Gorgon

Outrageous assertions and protests surrounding the metaphysically impossible act of ‘appropriation of culture’ have recently surfaced. They range from the BBC announcement that Monty Python is ‘too white’ for today’s British TV, to the cancellation of a Montreal play (SLAV) that featured songs ‘composed by slave cultures,’ something Leftists deemed ‘an appropriation of black culture.’

Meanwhile, the Left has now invented a collective called ‘intersectional’ feminism, a form of feminism that’s all about racism. This movement has led a charge against the classic television series Sex And The City, denigrating it for portraying ‘white’ women of ‘privilege,’ and for portraying a sexual orientation that was ‘orthodox’ – meaning heterosexual.

The arts and entertainment industry is but one target on a long list under attack by political correctness. It’s a list that has included university and college campuses, now intolerant environments where challenging viewpoints are no longer being heard.

‘Cultural appropriation’ is an anti-concept used as a weapon in the Left’s arsenal of political correctness, itself yet another anti-concept. Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 020 – The absurd files

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Jul 152018
 

Absurdity takes many forms, and some of the stories finding their way into many media reports today certainly fit the bill. Though the stories themselves may not be threatening or scary, what they symbolize might very well become so.

In their appraisal of some ‘absurd’ reports, Danielle and Robert cite three recent media features that share the common threads of ‘group think’ and ‘victim culture’ ideologies (two absurdities in and of themselves).

When a low percentage of ‘black skiers’ on a particular ski slope is interpreted as evidence of racial bias, it’s clear that the great outdoor ‘white space’ being objected to by that writer isn’t the snow.

When mankind’s exploration of space and the planets is portrayed as an undertaking to ‘colonize’ space in a manner resembling the historical imposition of one culture upon another, it’s clear that those now calling for the ‘decolonization’ of space have already Left the planet. Continue reading »

564 – Wrong about Right – Persistent myths about the Right

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Jul 122018
 

facebook fascism

As if the general understanding about the essential differences between Left and Right wasn’t already confused enough, it’s distressing to realize that the confusion is as pronounced about a single side of the polarity as it is about the differences between the two.

While the Left can accurately be associated with all forms of collectivism, it’s only logical and consistent that individualism and its political corollaries – being the very opposite of collectivism – can only be found on the Right. Yet beliefs persist that varying forms of collectivism are to be found there, once again pushing individualism, freedom and capitalism out of the picture.

One of these collectivist forms, of course, is fascism. Having long been philosophically and historically associated with the Left, fascism was artificially ‘moved to the Right’ after the last World war as part of the Democratic Party’s attempt to distance itself from the ideology of Hitler’s fascism which it so openly admired before the war.

This was the essence of the ‘Big Lie’ described by Dinesh D’Souza in his book of the same name, and cited on a previous broadcast. And of course, the false association of fascism with the Right has since been used as a political weapon against the Right. Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 021 – The cage

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Jul 082018
 

It’s clear that the world will never learn the truth about what’s really happening at the Mexican-American border, if the fake news media continues to report ‘facts’ that just ain’t so.

That’s the reality that comes to light as Danielle and Robert look at some of those facts, best illustrated by Time magazine’s fake news story featured on a recent cover with the heading: “Welcome to America.”

It’s not the fake cover photo with Trump looking down at a young child purported ‘ripped’ from her mother’s custody at the Mexican-American border that’s at issue. That could be fair editorial comment. What’s at issue is the fake news story that the cover represents.

The devil is in the details, as with many stories of this nature. Not only was the young child never ‘ripped’ – or even separated – from the custody of her mother, but the mother herself was in custody of the child illegally. And that’s the tip of this particular iceberg. Continue reading »

Jul 042018
 

Sidearm

First published in 1943 at a time when the United States was at war with Germany, Italy and Japan, Isabel Paterson’s God of the Machine clarified one of the greatest and most fatal of misunderstandings about the nature of government and governing. Contrary to prevailing belief and opinion, countered Paterson: “It is a mistake to say that ‘Government is Force.’ Force is what IS governed.”

In this regard, no more powerful words have ever been spoken. The great political choice facing mankind is, and always has been, whether that Force should be governed by the Left or by the Right – or by both. At the heart of this moral dilemma lies the answer to why Western society has been so radically drifting towards the Left.

In our continuing discussion about Left and Right, we have already clearly demonstrated that fascism in all its forms is a direct manifestation of the Left, and will continue to do so on over the course of today’s presentation. But beyond the continual misrepresentation that fascism sits on the ‘Right,’ there are still many other popular misinterpretations of the ‘political spectrum’ that require remedy.

One in particular is the notion that the Left – Right ‘spectrum’ represents a gradual transition from ‘Extreme Force’ on the Left, to ‘Degrees of Force’ in the ‘middle,’ and finally to ‘No Force’ on the Right. Unfortunately, this has become a popular viewpoint of many ‘libertarians’ and ‘Objectivists’ who knowingly or not are at odds with the fundamental nature of Objectivism. Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 017 – The Designers

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Jul 012018
 

It’s one thing to break down negative stereotypes and traditions, but quite another when it is being done to create new ‘stereotypes’ and ideals that are more fiction than fact.

That appears to have become the primary goal of many ‘Hollywood’ television series, which – by design – have compromised their stories and plot lines with social commentaries and objectives that are simply not necessary but which serve the purpose of ‘the designers.’

Citing the current 2018 ‘Lost In Space’ TV show, which in contrast to the original 1960s series, has portrayed the father (John Robinson) as a somewhat emasculated image of the original, Robert and Danielle offer examples from many other popular TV series that illustrate the same pattern of social reconstruction.

Hollywood’s attack on the traditional family father figure has long been taking place in other cited series like All In The Family, Married With Children, and Modern Family. Meanwhile, other politically ‘progressive’ trends have infiltrated the stories of shows like Friends, Boston Legal, Castle, Bluebloods, Gotham, and others.

There is no question that many of these shows offer excellent entertainment value. However, the disproportionate emphasis on racism, the reversal of male-female dynamics, and the assumption of social attitudes far in disproportion to what is experienced in real life, can make one wary. Is it just good entertainment, or is it an attempt to change political attitudes that ‘the designers’ hope will eventually translate into real life politics?

The irony in all of this is that most of the social attitudes now under attack are those that were already Just Right.

Jun 282018
 

Munk Debate 2018

If any proof is still needed that the popular notions of the political ‘Left’ and ‘Right’ are completely erroneous, one need only hear those attempting to use those incorrect frames of reference in a political debate or discussion. If not so tragic, it would be humorous. The conversation will invariably disintegrate into a subjective morass of contradictory and meaningless labels that define nothing and resolve nothing.

That’s exactly what happened at the May 18th Munk Debate, featuring participants Jordan Peterson, Stephen Fry, Michael Dyson and Michelle Goldberg on a resolution about ‘political correctness.’ It also happened at the May 5th Society of Academic Freedom and Scholarship’s (SAFS) event featuring speakers David Haskell, Lindsay Shepherd, and Frances Widdowson during their discussion of free speech on campus.

The confusion arises in failing to recognize that the terms ‘Left’ and ‘Right,’ objectively defined, represent polar opposites, just like ‘north’ and ‘south.’

Unfortunately, the popular and accepted scale of Left and Right place ‘communism’ on the Left and ‘fascism’ on the Right, even though both communism and fascism are not opposites and explicitly sit on the Left. Nowhere on this scale is there a place for individual freedom or capitalism, despite beliefs that they exist on some imaginary ‘center.’ That scale looks like this: Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 016 – The Wedding

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Jun 242018
 

With their royal thoughts on a royal subject, Robert and Danielle reflect on the May 19 wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle held at Windsor Castle in the United Kingdom.

Whatever one’s views on the subject, it’s not necessary be a ‘monarchist’ in order to appreciate the cultural significance of the event.

Against the backdrop of serious troubles facing the United Kingdom, royal weddings remain one of those events that still retain a clear association with the history and culture of the kingdom. With its transition from an absolute monarchy to a constitutional monarchy, the way was paved for the eventual recognition of individual rights – and of the state’s role and responsibility in protecting those rights.

Against all of the changing and varied frames of cultural reference that have presented a challenge to the peaceful kingdom, interest in the royal wedding transcends the nation’s problems.

The symbolism of the wedding may incorporate many things, from the fairy tale of living in a castle – fantasy brought to life – to the tradition of family and nation in a way that unites and brings people together.

Either way, notes Danielle, royal weddings provide a “feel good moment that celebrates life, love, happiness,” and portends a future that promises to be Just Right.

561 – Trump trade tirade

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Jun 212018
 

G7-2018

It’s too bad that the substance of U.S. President Donald Trump’s statement at the G7 Summit in Charlevoix, Quebec on June 9 was utterly lost on the general public. His message needed to be heard.

The media tirades against Trump’s policy on trade serve a purpose and it is not to enlighten. Their purpose is to create confusion about where Trump stands on free trade, to hide corrupt trade practices like ‘Supply Management’ in Canada, and to express their hatred about the reality that U.S. President Donald Trump holds all the cards – and Canada’s Prime Minister Trudeau holds none.

Both the mainstream media and Leftist political interests portray Trump’s threats of tariffs and trade barriers as a threat to the status quo trade that exists now. None want to acknowledge Trump’s strategy as a means to push other nations to drop their own tariffs, barriers, and subsidies – which is exactly what Donald Trump has been telling them he’s doing all along.

“No tariffs. No barriers. No subsidies. That’s the way it should be,” Trump stressed at the G7 Summit, but few have even heard these words, and continue to believe that Trump is against ‘free trade.’ Continue reading »

The Danielle Metz Show – 019 – The Munk-Non-Debate

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Jun 172018
 

“Let it be resolved that what you call ‘political correctness’ I call progress.”

The Munk debate of May 18th, featuring Jordan Peterson and Stephen Fry on ‘con’ side and Michael Dyson and Michelle Goldberg on ‘pro’ side, barely even touched upon the nature of political correctness.

Nevertheless, though the resolution was not really debated or discussed, the ‘con’ side of the resolution was certainly very clearly demonstrated. Continue reading »

560 – Ontario’s majority mandate for socialism

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Jun 142018
 

Doug Ford

On the heels of Ontario’s newly elected Progressive Conservative majority government under Doug Ford, expectations of ‘change’ – for the better – are high. It would be difficult to imagine anything worse than what Ontarians endured under the ousted Wynne Liberal Party, which no longer holds official party ‘standing’ in the legislature.

However, it must be recognized that the conditions under which Ontario currently suffers are a consequence of the cumulative actions and directions taken by all of the parties in the legislature. Kathleen Wynne and her government merely continued in the political direction (Leftward) already established and entrenched by previous governments – including those of the Progressive Conservatives.

Unfortunately, it is impossible to predict or evaluate what the PCs may do under Ford, since the party won its majority mandate under a single objective: getting rid of Kathleen Wynne.

In the absence of any substantive or credible commitment to actually ‘change’ the Leftward direction in which Ontario is heading, Ford and his PCs have left us little to speculate about. After all, how does one reconcile a promise “to increase government spending, reduce taxes, and balance the budget?”

What we do know about the PC party is its history and tradition. Continue reading »