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Canada’s National Observer has a new podcast as part of our special investigation, The Takeover.
It examines an organization run by a British baroness and Canadian Jordan Peterson. It attracts conservatives and right-wing power brokers and people who want to be power brokers. It’s called the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship – ARC for short.
Our team, Marc Fawcett-Atkinson of Canada’s National Observer and Geoff Dembicki of DeSmog went to London to report on ARC’s second conference, where more than 3000 people from all over the world gathered.
In the first episode of The Takeover, join the team on the floor of the London conference, where these power brokers and hangers-on have gathered to hash out what a future could look like without environmental or other regulations, without limits on fossil fuels, without limits on speech no matter the cost.
The US had a big presence at the conference, starting with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson, on video link from Washington.
Johnson described the problem they were facing as “soft despotism,” a condition in which, in his telling, citizens voluntarily and gradually surrender their rights and independence lured by the promise of security.
“Soft despots assure your compliance through normal democratic channels. Regulations? Oh, they keep you safe. Censorship? Oh, that’s to protect you from misinformation. Surveillance? That’s necessary for your security, see. Dependence? It offers you stability. And we see these forces at work in our society today,” Johnson said.
Johnson explained that President Trump’s administration is getting rid of that “despotism.”
“This is our civilizational moment; the West is finally awakening once again. We must seize this opportunity, and by God’s grace we will.”
The acronym of the Alliance for Responsible Citizenship – ARC — and its connection to the ship that Noah built to save the world from a flood is not accidental. The flood is the failure of western democracies, and, like Noah’s ark, only those who recognize the danger and get on board will survive.
Co-founder, Philippa Stroud, described the mission facing the conference over the next three days.
“The very foundational principles and experiences that make society what it is are no longer valid. What is required when this happens and society has lost its way, is for leaders to arise who have not forgotten the discarded legacy and to love it with all their hearts. So our vision for ARC is to build a community of people of courage and strength who will quite literally rebuild the foundations of our nations,” Stroud told the crowd.
“Welcome aboard the ARC.”
Listen to The Takeover here.
Comments
"The US had a big presence at the conference, starting with Speaker of the House of Representatives Mike Johnson …
"'Soft despots assure your compliance through normal democratic channels. Regulations? Oh, they keep you safe. Censorship? Oh, that’s to protect you from misinformation. … '
"Johnson explained that President Trump’s administration is getting rid of that 'despotism.'"
Trump’s administration is clamping down on free speech by rounding up and deporting foreign anti-Zionist and human-rights activists protesting Israel's demolition of Gaza and genocide — and by threatening to yank federal funding from universities unless they crack down on protestors.
Trump is also shutting down scientific institutions and research. Just as PM Stephen Harper muzzled federal scientists.
Since when does the right believe in free speech?
The right believes in free speech they agree with. Speech outside those narrow borders is subject to cancellation, by violence if necessary. We have seen violent shutdowns of campus protests against Israel in the U.S. and Canada. Cheered on by right-wing politicians like Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.
In 2009 British MP George Galloway -- a critic of U.S. imperialist wars in Iraq and Afghanistan -- was on a speaking tour on Middle East issues. PM Harper and Immigration Minister Jason Kenney blocked him at the border "on grounds he poses a threat to national security".
Galloway accused the government of using anti-terrorism fears "to suppress legitimate political debate here in the country."
After being stopped at the Canadian border, American left-wing anti-war journalist and Democracy Now host Amy Goodman was allowed into Canada but only for 48 hours. Absurdly, border officials were concerned about what she might say about the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.
"U.S. journalist grilled at Canada border crossing" (CBC, Nov 26, 2009)
Which political party muzzles federal scientists?
"Ottawa's media rules muzzling federal scientists, say observers", (Margaret Munro, Postmedia News, 2010)
"When science goes silent"
"With the muzzling of scientists, Harper's obsession with controlling the message verges on the Orwellian" (Macleans, 2013)
"Canada's deadly disdain for science" (Montreal Gazette, 2011)
Ask Dr David Swann about speaking out for Kyoto.
"Kyoto views get medical officer fired – Canada" (CBC, 2002)
Ask Dr. John O'Connor about raising health concerns downstream of oilsands development.
"Doctor cleared over suggested link between cancer, oilsands" (Edmonton Journal, 2009)
Textbook censorship in U.S. schools is mainly a conservative phenomenon.
Harassment and death threats against climate scientists.
Likewise, the intimidation and murder of environmentalists in developing nations.
Attempts to stifle critics of Israel have never stopped.
"Silencing pro-Palestinian professors – Israel's academic army" (Mondoweiss 2018)
"Philanthropist who gave $30M to U Manitoba condemns 'hateful' valedictory speech, university for allowing it" (CBC, May 22, 2024)
"Removing video of U of Manitoba valedictory speech calling for Gaza ceasefire 'not productive': expert" (CBC, May 23, 2024)
Are we supposed to believe that right-wingers prize free speech and lefties don't?
It's a myth.