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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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Penny Lancaster says she felt ‘belittled’ by ex-MasterChef host Gregg Wallace

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Penny Lancaster says she felt 'belittled' by ex-MasterChef host Gregg Wallace

Model Penny Lancaster has said she “felt ashamed and belittled” by how former MasterChef host Gregg Wallace treated her on the TV show.

Lancaster, who is also a TV personality and the wife of rock singer Rod Stewart, told Sky News’ The UK Tonight with Sarah-Jane Mee programme that she also felt let down by MasterChef’s production company Banijay UK.

“I didn’t feel like I was supported in that moment, I felt ashamed and belittled by the way Greg Wallace had treated me but equally I felt disappointed that the production company hadn’t come to my rescue,” Lancaster, 54 and a MasterChef contestant in 2021, said.

“There is a long way to go, but just by people coming forward and being honest about their experiences I think will help in the long term.”

At the end of July, Wallace, 60, apologised after a report commissioned by Banijay UK, and carried out by law firm Lewis Silkin, found 45 out of 83 allegations against him were substantiated.

Sir Rod Stewart criticised Wallace on Instagram in November 2024 and claimed he “humiliated” his wife when she was on the show.

He wrote: “Good riddance Wallace… You humiliated my wife when she was on the show, but you had that bit cut out didn’t you?

More on Gregg Wallace

“You’re a tubby, bald-headed, ill-mannered bully.”

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Sky News has approached Wallace for comment.

He has previously apologised to people he has hurt, saying in July that he knows he has said things that have offended people. He has denied a specific allegation of unwanted touching.

The BBC referred Sky News to their statement from July, in which the corporation said: “Although the full extent of these issues were not known at the relevant time, opportunities were missed to address this behaviour – both by the production companies running MasterChef and the BBC. We accept more could and should have been done sooner.

“We want to thank all those who took part in the investigation, including those who first raised concerns directly with the BBC in November last year. We apologise to everyone who has been impacted by Mr Wallace’s behaviour.”

Penny Lancaster speaks to Sarah-Jane Mee
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Penny Lancaster speaks to Sarah-Jane Mee

Banijay UK, the producers of MasterChef, told Sky News: “We are extremely sorry to anyone who has been impacted by any inappropriate behaviour by Gregg Wallace whilst working on our shows and felt unable to speak up at the time or that their complaint was not adequately addressed.

“Ways of reporting concerns whilst working on our productions, protocols around behaviour and training for both cast and crew, have improved exponentially in recent years and we constantly review welfare procedures across our productions to ensure that they are as robust as they can be.”

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At least four victims after Mormon church in Michigan set on fire during mass shooting

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At least four victims after Mormon church in Michigan set on fire during mass shooting

Five people have been killed, including the gunman, and at least eight others injured after a mass shooting and fire at a Mormon church in Michigan, police have said.

The incident took place at around 10.25am local time on Sunday at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc Township, Michigan, about 50 miles north of Detroit.

The suspect – identified as Thomas Jacob Sanford, 40, from the nearby city of Burton – was shot dead by police officers.

He served in the Marines from June 2004 to June 2008 and was deployed in Iraq, Sky News’ US partner network NBC News reported.

What we know about the suspect in the Michigan church shooting

Flames and smoke rising from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc. Pic: Julie J, @Malkowski6April/AP
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Flames and smoke rising from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc. Pic: Julie J, @Malkowski6April/AP

Sanford drove a vehicle through the front doors of the church before opening fire with an assault rifle, police said.

He then exited the vehicle and began firing rounds at people who were attending Sunday service, before deliberately starting the blaze, police added.

More on Michigan

The blaze has been extinguished but authorities believe they will find additional victims in the charred building.

At around 8pm on Sunday (1am in the UK), Grand Blanc Township Chief William Renye confirmed that a further two victims were found in the burned remains of the church, in addition to two other victims who had suffered gunshot wounds.

As many as three improvised devices were found at the scene, according to two senior law enforcement officials briefed on the investigation, NBC reported.

Police believe the number of victims may rise. Pic: AP
Image:
Police believe the number of victims may rise. Pic: AP

According to Chief Renye, when gunfire broke out, people inside the church bravely put themselves at risk to protect the children.

“They were shielding the children who were also present within the church, moving them to safety,” he said. “Just extreme courage.”

Chief Renye said law enforcement officers arrived at the church within 30 seconds of receiving a 911 call. The suspect was “neutralised” in the back parking lot within eight minutes by a Department of Natural Resources officer and a Grand Blanc Township officer, he said.

Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer said in a statement that “my heart is breaking for the Grand Blanc community” after the shooting.

She added: “Violence anywhere, especially in a place of worship, is unacceptable. I am grateful to the first responders who took action quickly.”

Sheriff: ‘Entire church is on fire’

Genesee County sheriff Christopher Swanson said at around 12.20pm that the “entire church” was on fire, and confirmed that people who were at the church had been evacuated.

Around 20 minutes later, the police department said the fire had been contained.

The incident took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc.
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The incident took place at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Grand Blanc.

US attorney general Pam Bondi confirmed the FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were responding to the incident.

US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that “the suspect is dead, but there is still a lot to learn”, before saying the shooting “appears to be yet another targeted attack on Christians in the United States of America”.

He added: “PRAY for the victims, and their families. THIS EPIDEMIC OF VIOLENCE IN OUR COUNTRY MUST END, IMMEDIATELY!”

In the wake of the shooting and fire, the New York Police Department said it would deploy officers to religious institutions across the city “out of an abundance of caution”.

The incident occurred the morning after Russell M Nelson, the oldest-ever president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, died aged 101.

Shootings reported in North Carolina, New Orleans, Texas

Meanwhile, authorities responded to a mass shooting at a coastal town in North Carolina late on Saturday, where three people were killed.

Five others were injured in that incident, where someone opened fire from a boat into a crowd at a bar.

Police described the incident as a “highly premeditated” attack.

According to Sky News’ US partner network NBC, Nigel Max Edge, 40, was detained by the Coast Guard and charged with three counts of first-degree murder, five counts of attempted murder and five counts of assault with a deadly weapon on Sunday morning.

He remains in custody without bond, jail records show.

Another shooting took place at a south Texas casino early on Sunday, with seven people shot and two killed.

A woman was also killed, and three others were injured in Bourbon Street, New Orleans, early on Sunday after a shooting.

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‘I’m not so careful with what I say’ – is Trump feeling more invincible than ever?

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'I'm not so careful with what I say' - is Trump feeling more invincible than ever?

It was one sentence among the many words Donald Trump spoke this week that caught my attention.

Midway through a jaw-dropping news conference where he sensationally claimed to have “found an answer on autism”, he said: “Bobby (Kennedy) wants to be very careful with what he says, but I’m not so careful with what I say.”

The US president has gone from pushing the envelope to completely unfiltered.

Last Sunday, moments after Charlie Kirk‘s widow Erika had publicly forgiven her husband’s killer, Mr Trump told the congregation at his memorial service that he “hates his opponents”.

President Donald Trump embraces Charlie Kirk's widow Erika. Pic: AP
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President Donald Trump embraces Charlie Kirk’s widow Erika. Pic: AP

Twenty-four hours later, he drew fierce rebuke from medical experts by linking the use of Tylenol (paracetamol) during pregnancy to increased risk of autism.

The president treats professional disapproval not as a liability but as evidence of authenticity, fuelling the aura that he is a challenger of conventions.

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‘Paracetamol use in pregnancy perfectly safe’

On Tuesday, he went to the United Nations, where his frustrations over a stalled escalator and teleprompter failure were the prelude to the most combative address.

More on Donald Trump

“I’m really good at this stuff. Your countries are going to hell,” he told his audience, deriding Europe’s approach to immigration as a “failed experiment of open borders”.

Mr Trump addresses the UN General Assembly in New York. Pic: Reuters
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Mr Trump addresses the UN General Assembly in New York. Pic: Reuters

Then came a U-turn on Ukraine, suggesting the country could win back all the land it has lost to Russia.

Most politicians would be punished for inconsistency, but Mr Trump recasts this as strategic genius – framing himself as dictating the terms.

It is hard to keep track when his expressed hopes for peace in Ukraine and Gaza are peppered with social media posts condemning the return of Jimmy Kimmel to late-night television.

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Trump’s major shift in Ukraine policy

Perhaps most striking of all is his reaction to the indictment of James Comey, the FBI director he fired during his first term.

In theory, this should raise questions about the president’s past conflicts with law enforcement, but he frames it as vindication, proof that his enemies fall while he survives.

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Ex-FBI chief: ‘Costs to standing up to Trump’

Mr Trump has spent much of his political career cultivating an image of a man above the normal consequences of politics, law or diplomacy, but he appears to feel more invincible than ever.

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Trump: ‘Looks like we have a deal’ to end war in Gaza

From funerals to world summits, world peace to public health, he projects the same image: rules are for others.

It is the politics of the untouchable.

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