The censorship industrial complex has gone into overdrive as western governments look for ways to suppress dissenting opinions, and our rulers have now figured out the best approach: sanctions.
The USA has sanctioned UN rapporteur on Gaza, Francesca Albanese, making it impossible for her to have a bank account, to get paid, or to use anything but cash. Canada has introduced legislation that will allow and foster the same authoritarian state activity. It's less expensive than jailing people and can have even more serious consequences. The western nations (Europe and North America) are rapidly moving into full fascist mode. Unfortunately, it now seems irreversible without widespread resistance, such as on-going general strikes and surrounding government centres.
that's terrible to hear about Ms. Albanese, her courage and conviction are inspiring. This movement towards authoritarianism, with Orwellian censorship of dissent, is extremely disturbing
Substack could be censored from all the anti-zionist stuff. All my posts are mirrored in my web site, in a secure bunker in Ontario. https://www.mccroskey.ca/limitstoprogress.htm and keep an updated copy of your subscriber list.
I did not realize how severely the sanctions were impacting Baud's life. I am also upset about the obvious, which you shared with us: << It’s worth pointing out that Baud has not been accused, let alone convicted, of committing a crime. >>
Criticism of Israel is the "kiss of death" in the US, but I am not aware of anything analogous to what you have reported (yet??).
Happy New Year, and let us hope that 2026 will see the pendulum swing toward logic and the acceptance of facts.
Institutions (e.g., universities) are admonished that if they do not curb "hate speech" (i.e., anything critical of Zionist genocide -- or so-called "antisemitism"), Trump will cut off funds. Other pressures are applied to academic, cultural, medical, and/or scientific institutions. However, these actions can hardly be compared to the actual sanctions upon Baud et al.
The repression of dissenting opinion is the very thing all these centrist liberals were tut-tutting about in relation to McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
Now all those worthy TV shows, plays and films about the savage repression of free speech were just a waste of time, it seems, as the very same people who got angry at the McCarthyites are quite happy to have Starmer and Von Der Leyen stomp out freedom of expression.
Before they said Orwell's 1984 was a cautionary tale, now it's an instruction manual.
Authoritarian regimes only need to hold to these strategies for one, maybe two generations until criticism of government has been completely eradicated from society and Orwell’s vision vindicated.
Would you say that Leopold Stokowski orchestrated the music to Disney's Fantasia or that he put the oboes on a confrontational path with the violoncellos?
Ricky, really? It's amazing how humans can be so selective in the truths they want to support and deny. We condemn others for conducting behavior that we participate in.
The USA has sanctioned UN rapporteur on Gaza, Francesca Albanese, making it impossible for her to have a bank account, to get paid, or to use anything but cash. Canada has introduced legislation that will allow and foster the same authoritarian state activity. It's less expensive than jailing people and can have even more serious consequences. The western nations (Europe and North America) are rapidly moving into full fascist mode. Unfortunately, it now seems irreversible without widespread resistance, such as on-going general strikes and surrounding government centres.
I was going to mention Albanese but I didn't have room
that's terrible to hear about Ms. Albanese, her courage and conviction are inspiring. This movement towards authoritarianism, with Orwellian censorship of dissent, is extremely disturbing
Some of us are hunting for other platforms, just in case. Any ideas, Ricky?
I just use as many as I can because you never know which ones will be targeted next
Good idea.
Substack could be censored from all the anti-zionist stuff. All my posts are mirrored in my web site, in a secure bunker in Ontario. https://www.mccroskey.ca/limitstoprogress.htm and keep an updated copy of your subscriber list.
I did not realize how severely the sanctions were impacting Baud's life. I am also upset about the obvious, which you shared with us: << It’s worth pointing out that Baud has not been accused, let alone convicted, of committing a crime. >>
Criticism of Israel is the "kiss of death" in the US, but I am not aware of anything analogous to what you have reported (yet??).
Happy New Year, and let us hope that 2026 will see the pendulum swing toward logic and the acceptance of facts.
The US is sanctioning foreigners like Francesca Albanese and the ICC judges, but I'm unaware of it sanctioning US citizens
Institutions (e.g., universities) are admonished that if they do not curb "hate speech" (i.e., anything critical of Zionist genocide -- or so-called "antisemitism"), Trump will cut off funds. Other pressures are applied to academic, cultural, medical, and/or scientific institutions. However, these actions can hardly be compared to the actual sanctions upon Baud et al.
I am hoping 2026 has the pendulum shift you mention, Lenny. It was a rough year in 25', in my view.
The repression of dissenting opinion is the very thing all these centrist liberals were tut-tutting about in relation to McCarthyism and the Red Scare.
Now all those worthy TV shows, plays and films about the savage repression of free speech were just a waste of time, it seems, as the very same people who got angry at the McCarthyites are quite happy to have Starmer and Von Der Leyen stomp out freedom of expression.
Before they said Orwell's 1984 was a cautionary tale, now it's an instruction manual.
The government is lawless for none whom you mentioned have broken the law. Wipes out 1000 years of laws upon which our society was created .
It’s a treason to our civilization and isn’t illegal ?
The novelty of it so hideous it’s beyond primitive .
Surprised Switzerland hasn’t come to rescue Colonel Baud . Shows how low they have sunk after first abandoning its neutrality .
Where are the lawyers .
It's NEVER legal to end free speech.
Great piece Ricky. Big brothers watching us all
Authoritarian regimes only need to hold to these strategies for one, maybe two generations until criticism of government has been completely eradicated from society and Orwell’s vision vindicated.
Would you say that Leopold Stokowski orchestrated the music to Disney's Fantasia or that he put the oboes on a confrontational path with the violoncellos?
Someone needs to check what "orchestrated" means.
Now I challenge you to write the Nick Fuentes story, no matter what you think of him or his opinions.
I have no idea what you're talking about
Ricky, really? It's amazing how humans can be so selective in the truths they want to support and deny. We condemn others for conducting behavior that we participate in.
He is "The Most Canceled Man in America" (FULL MOVIE) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpYWxsYsAM4
He’s a far right nut in the US who hosts America First - hates immigrants and everything not white or christian.
But that’s not a “legal way”