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It used to be that when someone made a statement, then made another statement that implied something completely different, we had a name for that. We called it a contradiction. And it wasnt considered a good thing. Not too long ago, contradictions could end political careers in this country. When Tim Murphy said publicly that he was pro-life, but then privately told a woman to kill her baby, he had to resign from Congress. Al Franken met the same fate, after he bought into the #MeToo hysteria, then fell into its crosshairs himself.

But a lots changed in the few years since Tim Murphy and Al Franken were forced out of Congress. All of a sudden, contradictions are everywhere, particularly in the political world. The only way to ensure world peace is to fund a war, foreign policy experts tell us. Were a sanctuary city or state, but we dont want any more illegal migrants, say Gavin Newsom and Eric Adams. Men can turn into women, gender studies professors shriek. Euthanasia is healthcare, the Canadian government insists. All of these statements are contradictions, but youre hearing them all the time now.

In revolutionary periods, this is nothing new. Mao even wrote an essay entitled On Contradiction a century ago. Mao understood well that contradiction drives social change. Maybe the most important contradiction that revolutionaries must embrace, Mao argued, is the relationship between construction and destruction. On their face, these two concepts are polar opposites. Tearing something down means ruining it. Building something means creating it. If you want to build something new, you lay a foundation and get to work. You dont wreck what you have. Thats how the bourgeoisie saw it.

But Mao didnt see it that way. A half-century ago, Mao famously explained, There is no construction without destruction. In other words, theres a logical relationship between the two concepts. Creating a new society one totally unlike whatever came before requires wrecking the old society. Creating new symbols requires wrecking the old symbols.

Maos teachings led to, of course, tens of millions of deaths, the destruction of historic artifacts, and mass starvation. The last thing you would ever want our political leaders in this country to do is follow his ideology and try to emulate it. But thats exactly whats happening. This weekend in Albany, the capital of New York state, we saw maybe the clearest example in recent history of both construction and destruction happening simultaneously. Under the cover of darkness, at 5:30 in the morning, the city removed a statue of Revolutionary War hero and U.S. senator Philip Schuyler. And at the very moment that workers took Schuylers statue away, the so-called progress Pride flag was waving in the background, for the first time in Albanys history. Heres what it looked like. One of the defining images of our era

City Hall removes Revolutionary War hero General Philip Schuyler

Pride flags wave in the background pic.twitter.com/0hkhl4bHL8

End Wokeness (@EndWokeness) June 11, 2023

Notice the multiple Pride flags flying proudly as the statue is hoisted away, including the brand-new nonbinary/BIPOC/trans flag.

Now, if that seems like a carefully engineered juxtaposition, it is. Its choreographed to deliver a very clear message. Maos disciples in the New York state government know that if they want their new flag to have any kind of legitimacy, then Philip Schulyers statue cant remain. You cant have construction without destruction. If you want a revolution, you cant introduce a new idol without erasing the one that came before. So thats exactly what the local government did, as explicitly as they possibly could have done it.

If youre not trying to engineer a revolution if youre just an average person living in New York, with reasonable political views then none of this really makes sense. What was wrong with that statue, exactly? As far as we can tell, no one ever bothered to ask a significant number of New Yorkers that question. No one ever ran a poll on this, at least not one that we could find. There was certainly no statewide referendum on whether people actually wanted Philip Schuylers statue removed.

A few bureaucrats in New York just decided to do it a few years ago, and this weekend, they cut through the red tape and did it.

A local news station did conduct a man-on-the-street-style interview with a couple of residents to get their perspective. None of them could explain why this statue was being removed, even the people who said they supported removing it couldnt explain why:

Yes, a century-old historic artifact memorializing a Revolutionary War hero was not only taken down, it was taken down at the behest of a group of teenagers. The primary reason, as we heard in the clip, is that the absence of the statue will make city hall more welcoming. But welcome for who? If the standard is that any unwelcoming statue needs to go, then why exactly cant we destroy the monument of George Floyd that sits outside city hall in Newark?

But George Floyd didnt own slaves, you might say. Thats true. All George Floyd ever did was break into a womans home with five other people and hold a gun to her chest. And then, after getting out of prison, all George Floyd did was take enough opioids and meth to kill a horse, before trying to rob a store and fighting with several police officers.

Despite all that, youre not allowed to even criticize the George Floyd statue. Youll lose your job if you do. Under the new rules, George Floyds statue is welcoming. The Revolutionary War general is unwelcoming. Understood? Probably not, but then you arent supposed to understand. Part of the point behind these arbitrary decisions is that they make no logical or moral sense. You are meant to go along with it whether you understand or not. We might ask why? but The Powers That Be will treat us like were children and theyre our impatient parents: Because I said so, they respond.

Its all so contrived. Philip Schuyler is an iconic figure of the revolutionary era. Hes one of the reasons this country exists today. Multiple towns and forts are named after him in New York. And curiously, no one had a problem with him until very recently. Ten years ago, in an article, the Albany Times Union described Schuyler this way:

Philip Schuyler was a leading American statesman and a key general in the American Revolution who served at the pivotal Battle of Saratoga. He was named a representative to the first Continental Congress in Philadelphia and an adviser to Gen. George Washington, who stayed at Schuylers mansion in Albany.

The Times Union went on to describe Schuyler as:

instrumental in the victory of the American colonists at the Battle of Saratoga in the fall of 1777, a turning point of the Revolutionary War. Residents of Albany, fearful that their city might be occupied by British soldiers, instead celebrated an unexpected victory at Saratoga. It was the first major win for the colonists and the residents of Albany rang church bells, fired cannons, roasted an ox and gathered around a large bonfire. Schuyler returned to the city of his birth as a hero.

You can read that whole article. Its still on the Times Unions website, from 2013. Theres not a single mention of slavery or slaves in the entire piece. Guess how the Times Union describes Schuyler now? Heres a recent article from the paper, from this year.

While noted as a politician and Revolutionary War hero, Schuyler enslaved over a dozen people at his Saratoga and Albany homes.

The Times Union of 2023 goes on to cite and this is not a joke a report by five high schoolers who say that Schuyler is a bad man, and his statue has to be removed. Thats the report you heard referenced in that news clip, as well.

Heres how the Times Union describes the findings of these high school students:

The report, titled, What To Do with Phil? A 2022 Report from the Young Abolitionist Leadership Institute, was created by five Albany High School students who met between October 201 and June with two adult facilitators. While the report notes Schuylers accomplishments as a Revolutionary War general and politician, his legacy is still marked by owning human beings, it says.

This is also the report that the Albany government relied on to justify removing the statue.

Facile does not begin to describe this. In the 18th century, no one had the same attitudes towards slavery that we do now even the people who opposed it. Which relatively few people did back then. Its not surprising that a bunch of dumb, arrogant kids would lack the proper historical perspective and think themselves qualified to pass moral judgments on historical figures who lived 250 years ago. But thats where adults are supposed to step in. The problem is that there arent very many adults left in this country.

Whats really going on here is that Schuyler like Jefferson, Washington, Lincoln, and Teddy Roosevelt, and all the other historical figures whove had their monuments destroyed is a hero of a different nation. One that the city of Albany considers to be a foreign enemy. And they know they have to erase him if they want their revolution to succeed.

The Biden administration understands this as well. Look at this grotesque display currently hanging at the White House: Today, the People's House your house sends a clear message to the country and to the world.

America is a nation of pride. pic.twitter.com/ZZS9oTpDww

President Biden (@POTUS) June 11, 2023

Thats a Pride flag hanging on the White House, in between two American flags. There are similar displays all over the country, at 30 Rock and so on, but putting this flag at the White House, just like the flag at Albany City Hall, has particular implications. Most conservatives are saying that its horrific and evil for the White House to not only fly the Pride flag but to give it a place of primacy in between the two American flags. It is, of course, both of those things, but what they dont understand is that the White House is also properly representing its own nation, which is not our nation. We are two nations in one. There is the old United States that conservatives still cling to and cherish, and theres a new country with its own flag, its own traditions, its own heroes and foundational myths.

Thats the nation that the Biden regime, the media, academia, Hollywood all speak to and represent. Why do you think the city of New York took down Teddy Roosevelts statue? Liberals used to love him. He was one of the greatest presidents this country ever had. He broke up the big monopolies. He was well-read. He saved the middle class. He established national parks. He was an explorer and a pioneer. They took down Teddy Roosevelts statue in New York for a specific reason which was to replace it. Instead of Teddy Roosevelt, New York recently put up a horned statue of Ruth Bader Ginsburg.

Thats now happening, at scale. The nation we had before is being replaced. Its not just the demographics that are changing. The activists who are leading this revolution, like all totalitarians, understand that to take full control, they need to erase our shared history. Theyre executing their plan right in front of us, as obviously as they possibly can. While conservatives are debating the proper positioning of the American flag in relation to the Pride flag at the White House, the government is going out in the middle of the night and destroying the symbols they dont like. Theyre not asking your opinion on it. Theyre just doing it.

With that in mind, its not hard to wonder: What else will they take away before you even realize it? A lot more than statues. Soon the government may be able to kidnap your children if you dont subscribe to the cult of gender ideology. Thats an actual bill in California right now. Theyll label you a child abuser and likely put you in prison for wrong-think, so the state can raise your child. Thats the ultimate goal of this push for inclusion, which of course is fundamentally about excluding anyone with traditional views (and in particular religious views). The totalitarians running the government, like all totalitarians throughout history, are obsessed with using their power to make future generations subservient to their rule. Thats the reason theyre sponsoring Pride parades that expose children to deviant sexual fetishes. Thats the reason theyre destroying and replacing everything they can.

It took the single deadliest famine in world history to stop Mao. What will it take to stop the revolution thats taking place right now in this country? The longer this goes on the longer sane people stay quiet and watch as all this happens the more likely it is that, unfortunately, were going to find out.

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Politics

Met Police chief ‘frustrated’ at planned protest to support Palestine Action – as government moves to ban the group

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Met Police chief 'frustrated' at planned protest to support Palestine Action - as government moves to ban the group

Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley says he is “shocked and frustrated” at a planned protest in support of Palestine Action.

The demonstration, due to take place in Westminster later, comes as the government moves to ban the group under anti-terror laws.

Activists from Palestine Action hit the headlines last week after targeting RAF Brize Norton and damaging two military aircraft in a significant security breach.

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Why did activists target an RAF base?

Home Secretary Yvette Cooper will update MPs on the move to proscribe the organisation, which would make it a criminal offence to belong to or support it.

Sir Mark said that – until this happens – the force has “no power in law” to prevent the protest from taking place, but lawbreakers will be “dealt with robustly”.

He added: “This is an organised extremist criminal group, whose proscription as terrorists is being actively considered.

“Members are alleged to have caused millions of pounds of criminal damage, assaulted a police officer with a sledgehammer and last week claimed responsibility for breaking into an airbase and damaging aircraft.

More from UK

“Multiple members of the group are awaiting trial accused of serious offences.”

He added that – while the right to protest is essential – “actions in support of such a group go beyond what most would see as a legitimate protest”.

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Handout photo issued by Palestine Action of damage to Trump Turnberry, which has been vandalised by activists. Palestine Action described it as a 'direct response to the US administration's stated intent to ethnically cleanse Gaza'. Issue date: Saturday March 8, 2025. The golf course in South Ayrshire, owned by the US president, was targeted overnight, with activists painting Gaza Is Not For Sale in three-metre high letters on the lawn, and damaging the greens including the course's most prestig
Image:
Trump’s golf course in Ayrshire was vandalised by Palestine Action. Pic: PA

Over the weekend, Business Secretary Jonathan Reynolds said he could not rule out the possibility of a foreign power being behind Palestine Action.

Any move to proscribe the group must be debated and approved by MPs and peers.

Speaking to Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips on Sky News, former justice secretary Lord Charlie Falconer suggested that vandalising aircraft would not solely provide legal justification for such a move.

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Plans to ban activist group criticised

Lord Falconer said: “I am not aware of what Palestine Action has done beyond the painting of things on the planes in Brize Norton, they may have done other things I didn’t know.

“But generally, that sort of demonstration wouldn’t justify proscription so there must be something else that I don’t know about.”

Palestine Action has staged a series of protests in recent months – spraying the offices of Allianz Insurance in London, and vandalising Donald Trump’s golf course in Ayrshire.

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US

Regime change: Is Trump about to ‘Make Iran Great Again’?

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Regime change: Is Trump about to 'Make Iran Great Again'?

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The US bombs Iran. Three nuclear sites heavily hit. Cue condemnation from Iran – and promises of retribution.

As the Iranian foreign minister heads to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin and discuss what to do next, we ask: what has happened, why did the Trump administration decide to take action, what’s the response domestically and internationally – and what on earth could happen next.

If you’ve got a question you’d like the Trump100 team to answer, you can email it to trump100@sky.uk.

Don’t forget, you can also watch all episodes on our YouTube channel.

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US

The Americans want the attack on Iran’s nuclear sites to be a ‘one-and-done’

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The Americans want the attack on Iran's nuclear sites to be a 'one-and-done'

The Pentagon briefing was big on what happened but short on detail of what happens next.

Neither defence secretary Pete Hegseth nor General Dan “Raisin” Caine, chair of the joint chiefs of staff, can answer that.

Mr Hegseth called the bombing an “incredible and overwhelming success” with “focused and clear” instructions from President Trump.

The focus now is on what follows and that’s not so clear.

The briefing laid out the details of the military deception plan behind Operation Midnight Hammer.

B-2 stealth aircraft were flown west towards the Pacific on Saturday as a decoy, while the B-2s with bunker-busting bombs on board flew east towards Iran.

Israel-Iran live: World continues to react to US attack on nuclear facilities

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What is Operation ‘Midnight Hammer’?

Mr Hegseth called it a plan that took months and weeks of positioning and came down, in the end, to “precision, misdirection and operational security”.

Gen Caine, Mr Trump’s top military man, offered a measured assessment. While Mr Trump had spoken of Iran’s nuclear sites being “obliterated”, Gen Caine revised that downwards when he spoke of “extremely severe damage”.

Full battle damage assessment will reveal the complete picture – only then can the mission’s success be measured in full, mindful that Iran had shifted at least some of its enriched uranium in the days before the strike.

On the politics of it, Mr Hegseth said this wasn’t about regime change in Iran. It might offer precious little reassurance to Tehran, particularly as he also said part of the operation was to defend Israel and the ongoing defence of Israel.

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What next after US-Iran strikes?

If the US is tethered to Israel’s interests to the extent of an unprecedented attack on Iran, where does its influence end?

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared almost giddy in response to the US attack. He is a PM strengthened by Mr Trump’s spectacular response to his rhetoric around Iran.

Suspicions weren’t softened around Netanyahu’s influence over Mr Trump when Mr Hegseth was asked about the basis for the attack. He has long lobbied the US president on Iran being close to building a nuclear bomb, contrary to American intelligence which indicates otherwise.

Mr Hegseth was asked what was the new intelligence, was it American or from other countries? He avoided a direct answer, saying only that Mr Trump had looked at all the intelligence information and concluded Iran was a threat.

There were a number of questions about what comes next, with an assortment of non-answers in response from Mr Hegseth.

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Starmer reacts to US strikes on Iran

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A consistent line was that the US wanted Iran to negotiate peace, coupled with the threat of further aggression if it doesn’t.

The US defence secretary said Washington was in touch with Tehran privately and publicly, giving it every opportunity to come to the table, every opportunity for peace.

He made the point that America hadn’t targeted Iranian troops or civilians – clearly, a measure by the US to limit response and leave open a door.

The Americans want this attack to have been a “one-and-done”.

The scenario it’s left with, however, is an Iran talking of a diplomatic door closed and sending its foreign minister travelling to Moscow to meet Vladimir Putin.

Iran is wounded, no doubt. Combined attacks have left it degraded and, without a network of support in the Middle East, its ability to strike back is limited. For now, if not necessarily forever.

Donald Trump clearly enjoyed the sugar rush of military success but he will be wary of the come-down and all of its uncertainties.

In circumstances with world implications, he won’t be alone.

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