Woke Mind Virus 🦠
Where news meets rational thinking
Good morning, It’s Wednesday, July 24th. In today’s news, Peterson and Musk call out the ‘Woke mind virus’ ruining Canada, A leaked memo reveals that Trudeau had plans for the 'National decriminalization’ of drugs, Premiers demand bail reform after another murder, Secret Service director Cheatle resigns, and much more.
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Peterson & Musk: The Woke Mind Virus is Ruining Canada
In a highly anticipated interview with Jordan Peterson, Elon Musk vehemently criticized the "woke mind virus" and its detrimental effects on Western society. The discussion, live-streamed on X, dug into how woke politics have contributed to societal divisions, particularly in cities like Toronto, known for their multiculturalism.
Peterson began by highlighting how the ideology of anti-racism and inclusivity has ironically increased division and racism in his hometown. He reminisced about a time when his children, growing up in downtown Toronto, had a diverse group of friends, and no one cared about race, ethnicity, or gender. However, he noted a shift with the rise of group identity politics, which insists on dividing people by race, ethnicity, and sex, leading to a more divided society.
Musk echoed Peterson's concerns, calling the diversity, equity, and inclusion policies promoted by the Democratic Party "fundamentally anti-meritocratic" and labelling them as another form of racism and sexism. He criticized the focus on group identity as a primary way to distinguish individuals, arguing that it has created unnecessary divisions.
The conversation shifted to the impact of woke ideology on children, with both men expressing deep concerns. Peterson condemned his colleagues in the psychological field for their approach to gender-affirming care, calling them "contemptible cowards" and asserting that those involved with minors should face imprisonment. Musk agreed, describing gender-affirming care as a euphemism for child mutilation and sterilization.
Musk expressed particular frustration with the irreversible treatments minors undergo, such as puberty blockers, double mastectomies, and genital reassignment surgeries. He emphasized that children naturally go through identity crises, and adults can manipulate this vulnerability to push them into believing they are the wrong gender. He criticized puberty blockers as sterilizing drugs and argued for age-of-consent laws to protect children from making permanent, life-altering decisions they might later regret.
Musk shared his personal story, revealing that he was tricked into approving his son Xavier's transition due to fears of suicide if the treatment was not provided. He lamented that he was not properly informed about the nature of puberty blockers. Musk stated that Xavier is "dead," killed by the "woke mind virus," and now lives as Vivian Jenna Wilson following a legal name change in 2022. He described the term "deadnaming" as fitting because, in his view, it reflects the loss of his son.
Peterson added that clinicians often lie to parents about the necessity of gender-changing treatments and surgeries to save their children, asserting that higher suicide rates are due to underlying depression and anxiety, not gender dysphoria. He accused these clinicians of cowardice for not speaking out.
Musk concluded by expressing his commitment to fighting the "woke mind virus," vowing to prevent it from harming more children and society as a whole. More
Tiny Thought: You know it’s a crazy time in the world when one of the world's richest and most powerful men has to waste his time taking on our government because they are in denial of basic biology while putting the health and future of an entire generation of kids at risk.
Trudeau Government Had Plans for “National Decriminalization” of Drugs
The Liberal government planned to use all available tools to implement national drug decriminalization, according to an internal memo to Addictions Minister Ya’ara Saks. This memo, first reported by Blacklock’s Reporter and obtained through an access to information request, outlined a strategy for a “national decriminalization” drug policy. It was dated just five weeks before the BC government reversed its decriminalization project amid public backlash and reports of disorder.
The 134-page document stated the government's commitment to working with jurisdictions that have comprehensive plans for decriminalizing the possession of small amounts of substances for personal use. These plans would need to include oversight, evaluation, health and social support, public engagement, and law enforcement training. The memo prepared Saks for a House of Commons health committee appearance in March, where she defended the Liberals' decision to grant BC a waiver under the Controlled Drugs And Substances Act. This waiver, granted last year, allowed BC residents to legally possess up to 2.5 grams of hard drugs in public spaces.
However, BC Premier David Eby requested a reversal of this exemption in April due to several incidents and strong public backlash, especially concerning drug use in public spaces like hospitals and restaurants. The Trudeau government confirmed the reversal in May.
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre criticized the national decriminalization plan, warning of negative impacts such as increased drug presence near schools. He claimed the memo explained why the Trudeau government hadn't rejected similar requests from Toronto and Montreal. The Conservative Party stated that BC's experiment led to deaths and that expanding it nationally would be reckless. The party's statement accused Ya’ara Saks of denying the experiment's failure and planning a national hard drug legalization program. More
Premiers Demand Bail Reform After Another Murder
Canada’s premiers have formally requested a review of the country’s bail system following the murder of Tori Dunn, 30, in Surrey, BC, on June 16th. The accused, Adam Troy Mann, 40, had been released from jail shortly before the killing, despite his violent criminal history. Mann had been charged in a recent stabbing incident and had a history of violent offences, including a 2009 conviction for robbery and weapons offences.
The premiers' letter, sent after the recent Council of the Federation meeting, criticized the federal bail reform legislation, Bill C-48, which was intended to keep violent offenders in detention while awaiting trial. This law imposes a reverse onus on such offenders, meaning they must prove they are not a threat to public safety to be released. However, Mann’s release, despite the legislation, suggests gaps in the system.
BC Premier David Eby emphasized the need for more effective bail reforms, citing Dunn’s murder as a stark example of the law's shortcomings. He and other premiers have called for Ottawa to address these gaps and ensure that the bail laws are implemented effectively, with proper training for judges to understand the implications of these changes.
The premiers' push for reform echoes a similar plea from January 2023, which followed the 2022 murder of Const. Greg Pierzchala, who was killed by a person previously granted bail despite a violent criminal history. Trudeau's government had responded with Bill C-48, but the premiers argued more action is needed to address public safety concerns and improve the bail system’s effectiveness. More
Secret Service Director Kimberly Cheatle Resigns
Kimberly Cheatle resigned as Director of the US Secret Service on July 23rd, following her testimony about the attempted assassination of former President Donald Trump. Cheatle, who was sworn in as director in 2022, accepted full responsibility for the security lapse and stepped down after a contentious congressional hearing. Ronald Rowe, the deputy director, has been appointed as acting director. President Biden has called for an independent review of the incident. More
Hamas, Fatah Sign Declaration on Plans to Seek Joint Government - Israel Slams Fatah
On July 23rd, Hamas and Fatah signed a declaration in China to end their long-standing rift, aiming to form an "interim national reconciliation government" for postwar Gaza. The agreement, facilitated by Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, is intended to unite the factions after years of conflict. However, previous attempts at reconciliation have failed, leading to skepticism about the success of this latest effort. The declaration comes amid ongoing negotiations for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, with Israel criticizing Fatah for reconciling with Hamas. More
Top EU Diplomat Organizes Rival Meeting Amid Hungary’s Rogue Diplomacy
EU foreign ministers, led by Josep Borrell, have called an alternative meeting in Brussels, boycotting Hungary’s planned gathering in Budapest. This decision comes amid widespread criticism of Hungary’s recent diplomatic moves, including Prime Minister Viktor Orbán’s peace missions to Moscow and Beijing, and meetings with Donald Trump. The EU expects rotating presidencies to represent the bloc's unified position, not their national interests. Hungary’s foreign minister dismissed the rival meeting as "childish," while Borrell and other EU officials criticized Hungary’s stance, particularly its rejection of a compromise proposal to meet in Ukraine. Source: The Guardian
The World’s Most Powerful Passports in 2024
Singapore’s passport has been named the most powerful in the world, granting visa-free access to 195 destinations. This marks a record high for both Singapore and the Henley Passport Index, which tracks global mobility. Following Singapore are Japan, Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, each offering access to 192 destinations. South Korea, Sweden, Finland, Austria, Ireland, Luxembourg, and the Netherlands rank third with 191 destinations. The UK, New Zealand, Norway, Belgium, Denmark, and Switzerland hold fourth place with access to 190 destinations. Canada is seventh on the list, tied with Hungary, Malta and Chechzial. Afghanistan holds the weakest passport with access to only 26 countries. More
Death Toll from Ethiopian Landslides Jumps to 229
The death toll from two landslides in Southern Ethiopia has reached 229 and is expected to rise as search and rescue efforts continue. The landslides, triggered by heavy rain, initially struck on Sunday night in the Gofa zone and a second on Monday morning as rescue workers were helping. More
Maduro Seeks Venezuela Military’s Support Ahead of Vote Threatening His Hold on Power
As Venezuela approaches a pivotal presidential election, military checkpoints have emerged across the country, targeting government critics and soliciting bribes. Despite this show of force, many soldiers express frustration with President Nicolás Maduro and show support for opposition leader Maria Corina Machado. Maduro is working hard to maintain military loyalty by promoting officers and emphasizing their role in preventing unrest. The armed forces, crucial to his regime, face internal discontent due to economic hardships and corruption. There is likely to be significant unrest if the opposition gains widespread support. More
Survey: 46 Percent of Canadians are $200 Away From Financial Insolvency
Nearly half of Canadians are nearing insolvency, with 46% reporting they are $200 or less away from failing to meet their financial obligations, according to the MNP Consumer Debt Index survey. This figure remains steady from the previous quarter, but the number of Canadians already unable to cover bills has risen to 29%. Despite a recent interest rate cut by the Bank of Canada, many Canadians feel it has not significantly eased their financial burdens. The survey indicates widespread dissatisfaction with the rate reduction and highlights a growing need for additional support to manage debt. More
Amazon Faces $131 Million Asset Seizure in Italy Over Alleged Tax Fraud and Labour Violations
Italian tax authorities have seized over $131 million from Amazon's Italy-based logistics unit, Amazon Italia Logistica Srl, in a probe into alleged tax fraud and illegal labour practices. The Milan Prosecutor's Office accuses Amazon of circumventing labour and tax laws to maintain competitive pricing, including outsourcing labour in violation of Italian regulations. Amazon denies any wrongdoing and asserts its commitment to legal compliance and high standards. The company also released a statement emphasizing its positive contributions to Italy's economy and job market. More
Quebec Government Funnels Another $413 Million to Airbus A220 Program
The Quebec government is injecting $413 million into the Airbus A220 commercial jet program, extending its investment commitment to 2035. This follows a previous $380 million investment in 2022 and a $1.3 billion investment in Bombardier’s C Series program in 2015. Airbus is contributing $1.2 billion to the program and has promised that two-thirds of the associated jobs will stay in Quebec. More
Starlink Satellites Made 50,000 Collision-Avoidance Maneuvers in the Past 6 Months
In the last six months, SpaceX's Starlink satellites have performed nearly 50,000 collision-avoidance maneuvers, double the amount from the previous half-year. This increase is partly due to SpaceX lowering the maneuvering threshold to one-in-a-million chance of collision. The number of maneuvers per satellite remains stable despite the constellation's growth from 5,100 to 6,200 satellites. Experts note that while the increased maneuvers help prevent collisions, they can disrupt future collision predictions and shorten satellite lifespans. The number of maneuvers is expected to continue rising as SpaceX aims to expand its constellation to 42,000 satellites. Source: Space (dot) com
Life Signs Could Survive Near Surfaces of Enceladus and Europa
NASA's recent experiment indicates that organic molecules, such as amino acids, could survive beneath the icy crusts of Jupiter’s moon Europa and Saturn’s moon Enceladus despite harsh radiation. On Europa, amino acids might survive up to 8 inches below the surface, while on Enceladus, they could endure within a few millimetres of the surface. NASA's planned mission to Europa, known as the Europa Clipper mission, is scheduled to launch in October 2024. More
Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony: A Historic Outdoor Event
The Paris 2024 Opening Ceremony, set for July 26th will be the largest in Olympic history, taking place along a six-kilometre stretch of the Seine River. The event will feature a floating parade of boats for 91 national delegations and will end in front of the Trocadéro with a show and the lighting of the Olympic torch. Due to security concerns, attendance has been capped at 300,000 spectators, who must register and pass security checks to gain entry. More
Eminem Stops Taylor Swift From Making History
For the first time in months, Taylor Swift is not at the top of the Billboard 200. Eminem's new album, The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), has debuted at No. 1, ending Swift's reign. Her album, The Tortured Poets Department, had been at No. 1 for 12 weeks, breaking a tie with Whitney Houston for the longest run from debut. Only Stevie Wonder's Songs in the Key of Life holds a longer record with 13 weeks. More
Tiger Woods' Son, Charlie, Misses Cut at US Junior Amateur
Tiger Woods' son, Charlie, shot a 10-over 80 in the second round of the US Junior Amateur to go along with his first-round 82, missing the cut with a 22-over total. Despite a promising start and handling the crowd and course challenges, he struggled after a weather delay and ended with a triple bogey on the 18th hole. The top 64 players advance to match play, but Charlie, who qualified with a 1-under 71, finished near the bottom of the 264-player field. More
Woman Who Claimed Benefits for Severe Physical Disability Was Found Competing in Marathons - According to the evidence presented in court, the 49-year-old woman from Stoke on Trent claimed that she experienced difficulties getting out of the bath unassisted, lacked proper balance and didn’t have the power to stand in front of the gas cooker, all the while competing in over 70 running events.
'Potty-mouthed' parrot finds home in New York after hundreds apply to adopt him - "Pepper is a white-fronted Amazon and yes, he swears. But only a little." A foul-mouthed parrot named Pepper has found a forever home after grabbing attention from would-be adopters from across the country. On June 20, shelter staff announced that it received more than 400 applicants from people who wanted to adopt Pepper.