Live Around the Planet: Friday November 11th

On November 11, 2022 at 3:55 pm, Douglas wrote:

Mark,
What do you make of Conservative Inc media's latest attempt at ditching Trump? Notably, your pal Levin was one of the first off the ship. When Trump secures the nomination he will doubtlessly return to the Trump train so as to remain relevant. In any event, could Fox News' abandonment of Trump once again make him the outsider, putting him in position to run a 2016-esq campaign once again?
Best,
Douglas

On November 11, 2022 at 3:55 pm, Michael Tolocka wrote:

What do you think about most of the "conservative" media is talking about electoral politics for the Presidential Election in 2024 while Democrats are in the process of stealing elections right now in Arizona, Nevada, Georgia, and California?

Why does the "conservative" media always take the mainstream media narrative at face value? A shiny nickel here and shiny dime there and they all follow like lemmings. It's one of the things I miss most about Rush. Everyone would be talking about something and he would point out the actual important thing that they want you to ignore.

On November 11, 2022 at 3:57 pm, SIMON ARNOLD wrote:

Hi Mark,

Is this the end of Trump? what are the alternatives, if any to the two parties in the race now, and in two years from now. When was the last decent President. What are the differences between UK parliament and US Senates etc.

On November 11, 2022 at 3:58 pm, heikki heino wrote:

Mark it seems that Republicans got 6 million more votes than the Democrats but the Democrats won many key races like the brain dead Fetterman in PA. How come?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:00 pm, Pete Procopio wrote:

Mark - I know you share my disgust and disinterest of election analysis.

I just can't understand why so many feel compelled to dissect and extrapolate meaning and motive from a completely corrupt process.

That being said, and assuming that most of the "conservative intelligentsia" are coming to their opinions honestly, how is it possible that they are so obtuse?

Since Tuesday I have read and listened to so many "Republican gurus" break down the election results as a Trump's fault, a failed process, low quality candidates, abortion, messaging...blah blah blah - and while some of these are valid points in specific circumstances - simply put, we have lost the culture.

The fact that we still don't know the "official" tally is a reflection of the absurdity of this discussion. Debating whether 15 weeks of abortion or what exceptions are allowed, or if Hershel Walker is a better candidate than Fetterman or Biden are not relevant to winning elections. Once again we find ourselves rearranging the deck chairs on the Titanic. We have lost our faith, we have surrendered our schools, and we have lost our culture.
Am I missing something?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:03 pm, Kelton wrote:

Hello Mark. You answered a couple questions about COVID amnesty during last week's Q&A and it left me asking myself more questions. A desire for amnesty requires a fear of prosecution and belief that it is imminent. Does anybody, particularly those responsible for COVID mandates, really believe that there will be punishment for those actions? Nothing is at it seems these days and I would like some help on this one, unless this is just another distraction or I am making something out of nothing. Congratulations on 20 years of SteynOnline.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:03 pm, Philip Paustian wrote:

Dear Mr. Steyn,
Do you see any hope that Trump will / would announce that the vaccines were a mistake and he was misled by the health establishment in the U.S. Government? Do you see any hope for Bentley to survive as a brand any one would aspire to owning once they go to all electric cars? Thank you for your good humor in the face of ongoing civilizational collapse.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:05 pm, Ian wrote:

Hi Mark, I've just signed up as a member after listening for many years. Given the Pound/dollar exchange rate I probably couldn't have timed it worse...

My question is about the state of the UK right now. You are in London a fair bit at the moment I think for GB news: what's your sense of where we are as a country? I'm in my late 30s so perhaps have a shorter perspective than some, but I feel people don't grasp how much of a mess we're in.

Supermarkets regularly don't have basic products; restaurants often don't have numerous items on the menu; trains often don't run, in parts of the north it's like they've just given up pretending they provide a service. Nurses are going on strike, midwives next apparently. Almost every interaction one has with businesses (or worse, the state) is defined by people who don't know how to do, or are unwilling to do, their jobs. It's like as a country we've just stopped trying and decided to half arse it all. I don't know how much of that can be pinned on lockdown but it didn't feel this bad 3/4 years ago.

And that's not to mention how much the UK has changed since I was kid in the 90s ... 4 in 10 people in London weren't born here, I think that's right? The demographic change is huge but most people don't want to talk about it in any way. Immigration is a hot button subject when it's praising the contributions of Raheem Sterling or Emma Raducanu, but not on the agenda when Salman Abedi and Shamima Begum come up.

A combination of people who can't / won't do their jobs, and people who have no meaningful attachment to the country doesn't bode well... but I'm keen for your thoughts having lived in the US for some time.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:05 pm, Michael Cavino wrote:

Hi Mark,

Good to see that you are back in London!

If the Biden regime is going to permit anybody to cross America's Southern border, can they please fast track those individuals who have overseen the elections in Chad, Canada and Brazil -- places where they complete vote counts quickly and accurately!

Best regards,
Michael

On November 11, 2022 at 4:08 pm, Jonny Woodrow wrote:

Dear Mark, can we blame all the current group think from climate nonsense to global socialism and lockdowns on the Teletubbies? Four gender ambiguous creatures living in a hill surrounded by windmills, who only owned a hoover, only ate custard, had tiny mouths, big ears, and aerials and tvs built into them to receive mass media broadcasts, spent their days under their sun god (an infant in the sky) , waiting for the curfew announcement from a speaker that popped up from the ground. Have these four cast a vision for today's politicians of a big state that keeps us as infants and tells us when it's "time for tubby bye-bye"? Is klaus Schwab actually a puppet of Tinkywinky, Dipsey, La La and Po or were they his advanced shock troops? Don't get me started on the Tweenies!
Jonny Woodrow

On November 11, 2022 at 4:10 pm, Eric Dale wrote:

Mark, and fellow Club members, is there any hope for the US to self correct in the near future? We're teetering on the edge of nuclear war with Russia, drifting closer to a hot war with China, we're emptying our strategic oil reserves to mask rising oil prices and the US dollar's status as the world's reserve currency has never been more in doubt.

Yet, the voters seem to be quite content to let the house burn down around them. Are we in the US destined to live under one party rule? Is California our future, where the ruling party's policies have ruined a state with every natural and economic advantage in the world but whose political party will never be dislodged from power?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:12 pm, Scot A wrote:

Mark, congratulations on the continued success of the Mark Steyn Show on GB News. Your show is the only news show I watch. I just wish there was an American version that actually covers the issues here in America. Your show is highly informative and still entertaining while America news shows are slightly entertaining and not informative at all.

My question is what does Trump do now that the Red Wave hit some blue wave breaks? I believe the Trump of 2016 could have carried a lot of the Republican candidates over the finish line, but that Trump is gone. I am big supporter of Trumpism and Making America Great Again but that Trump is not the Trump of today. I also think that the GOPe and Conservative, INC. did not want this Red Wave to happen for two reasons. The first reason of course is the GOPe does not want to be in power or responsible for anything. The second reason is that since the Red Wave did not happen they can all blame it on Trump and this is their way of finally getting rid of Trump. What does Trump do now?

Another quick questions, maybe this election truly shows that the USA is center left country and things are lost. People seem to be happy with their social media dopamine hits and as long as reality doesn't hit them too hard they are good with less freedom. Should conservatives just admit all is lost and withdraw into ourselves?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:14 pm, JON FACCI wrote:

Trump vs. DeSantis for the championship belt at the Slam-o-mania seems a bit staged and contrived. Was the Red Tsunami staged for this purpose?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:15 pm, Joe Patterson wrote:

Mark, The voters in Pennsylvania have validated your low opinion of our electoral process. Not only did they elect to the Senate a man clearly not competent but also re-elected a dead man. Enjoy the Club and your GB News program.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:16 pm, Toby Pilling wrote:

Why do the Conservatives in the UK allow mass postal voting, when it benefits the left? Assuming that they want to stay in power, it seems a stupid policy.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:17 pm, Drew Weber wrote:

Hello Mark,
Along the lines of "don't wave that Constitution at me", a few days AFTER the election, a judge struck down Biden's attempt to buy the youth vote with his college debt forgiveness scheme. Really? It took that long for a judge to figure it out? Pelosi knew it months ago when she said the president did not have the power. The Biden administration did not care whether it would be upheld or not; it had its intended effect on the youth vote. Now, we might have to forgive the credit card debt of the student loan holders who prematurely celebrated their debt relief with bloated bar tabs. The beat goes on.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:19 pm, Robert Bridges wrote:

What's the worst that happen to politicians and bureaucrats who make disastrous decisions that ruin people? Voted out office or fired (good luck) with their pensions intact. Is there some mechanism left to assure some accountability?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:20 pm, Laura Rosen Cohen wrote:

Hi Mark, Richard Warman and Bernie's "Anti-Hate" Network lost a defamation case to Barbara and Jon Kay. That's some good news on a gloomy rainy Remembrance Day. In the old days I'd blog about it, and I remember Kathy had a beautiful costume jewelry poppy that she wore proudly, and we'd all go to ceremonies. I just feel sad today about what we have squandered as a society and miss Kathy so much. But Warman losing is a bright spot.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:21 pm, Glen Flint wrote:

Hi Mark,

Love the club and look forward to joining you next summer for the Mark Steyn Cruise!

Since we'll be outside of the jurisdiction of US Customs, will we be able to sample some forbidden fruit? I'm dreaming about bootleg Busche de Noel and Kinder Eggs (complete with the non-nutritive embed). The government of the greatest and freest republic in the galaxy does not permit us to enjoy these devilish delights for our own safety. Fair warning that I might try to smuggle a few Kinder Eggs back into the states, wrapped in pages from my pocket Constitution.

Congratulations on 20 years of SteynOnline!

Glen Flint

On November 11, 2022 at 4:22 pm, Lynn Foster wrote:

Mark...just one question..is this 'Stir Up Sunday' this week...???

On November 11, 2022 at 4:24 pm, Michael Trueblood wrote:

Mark, who's providing all these nice boats, outboards, and gas cans for the Afghans? Some French version of Cabella? There must be a whole fleet of them being made available by someone.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:26 pm, Maggie from PA wrote:

Where is Live Around the Planet?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:30 pm, Andrew Jones wrote:

With respect to the rank corruption of our Lords and Masters, they know we know, and we know they know we know etc etc yet they keep smearing our faces in it.

Do they not realise the dangerous social forces they are playing with by doing this?

I guess they feel they are omnipotent.

Mind you, the gated communities they live in with guards armed to the teeth (no 2A concerns there...) suggests not.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:31 pm, Felipe Dimer de Oliveira wrote:

Hi mark. It is one of your lines that if respectable politicians won't discuss things that matter, then the electorate will turn to unrespectable politicians. It seems that this doesn't happen to the extent necessary to effect actual change politicians. Will reality assert itself to a point where the electorate will turn to "unrespectable" politicians en masse, or the people will simply accomodate with the media lies until the West is no more? What will it take to change things round?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:33 pm, Peter Jones wrote:

Good afternoon, Mark,

Seems to be lots of talk about the "quality" of the Republican candidates. Does that mean that the likes of Abrams, AOC, and Fetterman are quality?! Or do the Democrats keep a much tighter reign on their candidates?

Proud to be a Steyn Club member! Happy 20th!

Peter Jones

On November 11, 2022 at 4:36 pm, Frank Gallenstein wrote:

Hi Mark,

It's hard not being a skeptic when we witness what went on in Pennsylvania: Fetterman winning the US Senate seat and the dead man who won the state representative seat. However, ask yourself - who would you vote for, Joe Biden or a cadaver? I would have to think long and hard about that.

There are many who look at elections superficially. as if they were rooting for the Yankees or Red Sox. It's, "Hey, I'm a fan and always have been a fan". But with many it is deep-rooted in their beliefs, a preference for individual freedoms (economic, political, religious, and social). Some just preferred to be ruled by elites.

I try to do my part. I teach Economics at a local community college, and try to point out the advantages of free markets.

I would encourage others to get engaged in political discussion. I'm not suggesting you drive your family and friends nuts, but write letters to the editor, or speak up appropriately when it is called for.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:38 pm, AlyM wrote:

Hello Mark, It seems Republicans can't win for losing. After the midterms in 2018, the Democrats' "Blue Wave", we heard it was a repudiation of Trump and Republicans in general as they had lost control of the House of Representatives. Then in 2020, we were told by conservative pundits that Republicans not only lost the presidency but also both houses because they had fielded inauthentic, uninspiring RINOs who didn't connect with the party base.

Now we are hearing from both sides that it's all Trump's fault (again). Apparently, he held back the Red Wave because the newly energized and motivated Republican base suddenly and inexplicably decided to reject the conservative candidates on the ballot because of Trump's endorsements. This despite an economic recession with on-going inflation and a despised Democrat president at the helm. So where do Republicans go from here?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:39 pm, Scott Schertzer wrote:

Dear Mark:

As America continues to sink into the abyss, I am grateful to reside in the sanest state in the union. Florida did its part in generating a "Red Wave", only to see it crest much too quickly as it moved west and north.

Ron DeSantis showed how Republicans can not only win but win big. He has been unafraid to face the culture wars head on and makes it very clear as to where he stands. It doesn't hurt that he also has shown incredible prowess in the actual governing of the state.

Mitch McConnell let it be known that he wasn't happy with Republican candidate quality (apparently, we didn't recruit enough stroked-out ogres). When will the GOP realize that it is the message that matters? Our side always assumes that we will win elections simply because we are not Democrats. That obviously is not the case (and never has been). I won't even go on about the pathetic election apparatus. Hopefully we will have a clue as to which party is in control of congress prior to the 2024 election.

I have no faith in the national Republican party. If they weren't capable of winning more than a handful of seats in the current political environment the cause is lost. My only hope is that we can bring Federalism back to the fore. If those living in California, Michigan, Washington, Oregon, Minnesota, and the rest of the woke states prefer to live as serfs then let them have it good and hard. Just leave Florida for the freedom loving!

P.S. I am hoping that we can kidnap Giorgia Meloni and get her to join the Mark Steyn Cruise!

Sincerely,

Scott Schertzer

On November 11, 2022 at 4:41 pm, Roberto DiGregorio wrote:

Hello Mark, perhaps you could take a stab at explaining the conflicting narratives about Trump v DeSantis. On the one hand, there are those who see Trump as the saviour in waiting, ready to make his big announcement to run again and taking potshots at DeSantis. On the other hand, DeSantis stays quiet about the attacks. Do you think the GOP establishment is pushing DeSantis because they feel he will turn out to be a squish? Are the knives out for Trump or is he knifing himself? I'm finding it hard to take a side here.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:43 pm, Robert wrote:

Mark,

Please bear with this rather lengthy quote from the Grauniad's Polly Toynbee. The point is that Britain DOES have the resources, and even some of the will, to implement a serious crackdown. So why don't they use similar methods to stop the cross-Channel invasion?

"It's curious how all those on the right who call themselves libertarians and claim to care about freedom from the state's oppressive regulations (many of which keep water, air and food safe) are in favour of a bill that seeks to imprison people with bike locks, or anything harmless that could be used in protest. A prison sentence of 51 weeks beckons for "causing a public nuisance" – not harm, hurt or injury.

The bill's serious disruption prevention orders can ban anyone from a protest who has protested twice in the last five years, even though they have no conviction. That includes me, and millions of others. Have you been on an anti-austerity, anti-Brexit, anti-Iraq war, anti-pay cuts or climate crisis march? Facial recognition may have already identified you. Hertfordshire police even arrested three journalists covering the oil protests this week, one from LBC, ignoring their press cards. The home secretary, Suella Braverman, has since ordered the police to take "a firmer line" against the "radicals, the road-blockers, the vandals, the militants and the extremists"."

On November 11, 2022 at 4:44 pm, Nicola Timmerman wrote:

Are you going to stay in New Hampshire? They seem to keep on voting Democrat. And winter is coming so head to Florida or Texas (this from a person getting ready to put on her winter tires in Eastern Ontario and put up with Trudeau skipping Remembrance Day in favour of more foreign trips).

On November 11, 2022 at 4:45 pm, Elisa Angel wrote:

Mark, You could be a New Hampshire Beauty Queen! What's holding you back? Could it be your age? Perhaps it's your marital status?! Well, you would have to identify as under 26 and never married. You wouldn't have to shave your beard, but you will have to pretend to be a woman. I'd sponsor the $75 entry fee.

Mark, Why can't you be the next Miss Greater Derry?

On November 11, 2022 at 4:47 pm, Gareth Wigmore wrote:

I got my second ever GBN MSS recommendation from Youtube last week on Wednesday which was Eva's 5 minute segment that day which had racked up 100,000 views in just a few hours - which is very good going for a news clip.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:49 pm, Rick in Florida wrote:

I watched that interview long ago, but had forgotten how good it was. Perhaps your best. Robinson was well-prepared indeed but so were you, and so the conversation was at a level that I thoroughly enjoyed.

It also reminds me that, as much as I am glad you are being heard regularly from your gig at GB News, I prefer you as interviewee over interviewer. I hope you will give a nice long interview to someone good at it again very soon.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:51 pm, Felicity Atkinson wrote:

Dear Mark, you have made a huge impact bringing the stories of the victims of the rape jihad and vaccine injured to prime time for the British public. Do you feel that there is anything changing regarding the invasion of the United Kingdom by half of Albania and the Middle East or are Brits actually at peace with losing their country? Have you any indication that politicians are talking about it as a result of your broadcasts and stories? I'm sure glad Queen Elizabeth didn't have to see this.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:53 pm, JON FACCI wrote:

Mark, you are so right. Yours was the only wisdom afforded to conservatives to guard our expectations of the Red Tsunami. It should be noted that Tsunamis are famously never expected. Clublanders, it is never time to panic, but it is always time to pray. Now is the time for Atheists and agnostics to pray. Look to the sky and ask for a sign, even crickets have been known to wish on a star. Whatever works. We on the Erie Canal, NY22, are still waiting on our election results while our late seated incumbent found redder pastures in Rochester. I want to commend Commonwealth Conservatives on the wearing of the poppies as the tradition in America has gone the way of Election Day and Democracy.

On November 11, 2022 at 4:56 pm, Hart Leonard wrote:

Mark, Most of conservative media's post-election analyses have been downright sickening. While some have tried to put lipstick on the proverbial pig by concentrating solely on DeSantis' remarkable performance, others have engaged in blaming faulty polling, alleged inferior candidates, and (rightly so) the impotence of the RNC. But, many have taken to blaming Trump for the lack of their expected red wave. Their rationale inevitably points to the loss of Mehmet Oz to Young Frankenstein and the admittedly strange candidacy of Herschel Walker, but these pundits might do well to remember that the states choose their candidates.....Trump only endorsed them, albeit in his unique Trumpian manner. (I suspect that this animus against Trump offers some of these pundits their long-desired secret justification to abandon Trump.)

My retort would be...."Do you think the Republicans would have done as well as they did if Trump had never existed..."?

The overriding reason for Republican poor-performance seems simple. As you averred in your 9 Nov. column, this country is no longer "center-right".... and has not been for some time. We must acclimate to the reality that a very large number of people, especially demented, single women (pardon the tautology), are comfortable with high inflation, open borders, trans-psycho-sexual mutilation of children, elimination of oil and coal energy, billions to Ukraine, skyrocketing crime, abortion at any age, racial and cultural discrimination, government-mandated lock-downs, and injecting children and adults with who-knows-what?

Is it finally time to panic, or is there always a molecule of hope? (The Israeli electorate seem to have recovered a bit of sanity in their 1 Nov. elections.)

On November 11, 2022 at 4:59 pm, Walt Trimmer wrote:

What style of song is Shores of Normandy? It sounds like an English folk song but I don't know enough about music to ask if is an aire or what?

On November 11, 2022 at 5:01 pm, Michael Cavino wrote:

Congratulations on 20 years of Steyn Online and keeping it an essential website to visit daily!

On November 11, 2022 at 5:09 pm, Gordon MacMichael wrote:

I live in British Columbia and feel we're not exempt from electoral shenanigans either on the provincial or federal levels. Mail-in ballots are being encouraged here and it's such an alarming departure from the principal of everyone voting on the same day and in the privacy of a polling booth (not at the kitchen table where your spouse may be providing some very forceful advise as to how to vote.)
At the last provincial election, people were voting by mail weeks before the official voting day. So what is the point of an election campaign? Parties spend millions of collars trying to persuade people to vote one way or another, but few people are listening because they've already voted. It's a mad system and very favourable to incumbents in Canada.

On November 11, 2022 at 5:15 pm, CrossBorderGal wrote:

Excellent exchange with Peter Robinson! Thank you for reposting that interview. Wish the West had more to show re: resetting its trajectory in the interim between then and now.

On November 11, 2022 at 6:27 pm, Lynn Foster wrote:

We shall remember them.

On November 11, 2022 at 6:48 pm, Grandma Judy wrote:

Hi Mark-
My son In Law refused the jab at his hospital in Wisconsin where he was a well respected orthopedic surgeon and has not worked for over a year and the hospital is now sueing to take his license and ruin his career by not allowing him to work in other states. That is kind of moot because almost all hospitals in the U.S. will not hire Drs that refused jab even now. The family is spending down their retirement just to keep going and lawyers to fight this are almost non existant or too expensive to be practical. Truly stunning.

On November 11, 2022 at 6:49 pm, Gerald Murphy wrote:

Economics? That sounds like the start of a joke I heard once. "Two economists walk into a bar ..." I think it ends with they never agree with each other.

On November 11, 2022 at 9:04 pm, SIMON ARNOLD wrote:

In my 56 years, thirty-seven in London, the past 19 in North Scotland's mainland. I can tell you that before Thatcher's reign and afterwards it wasn't that great. I think it was all over for the UK by 1964.

I'm far enough away from both Westminster and Holyrood, without cameras, or police to get a feeling of Liberty.

Even up in Sunny Caithness on a dull rainy day like yesterday, nothing works nobody cares everything is out of reach, working up to a point, then it fails. Holyrood is as pointless and useless as Westminster.

Supermarkets cost three times as much as they did in early 2021, Kitchen towel, 65 pence in the Co-operative store now costs £1.95. A one litre carton of milk was £1.45, it is now £2.10.

Whatever you can think of, some sort of industrial action, is either happening or threatened.

I lived in Bermondsey, next to London Bridge, the area where the docks once existed, yet getting a bus or a train that ran at all. or on time was a miracle.

All the great employers like Hartley Jam, Crosse & Blackwell's, were on the doorstep, along with all the great industrial industries that are now just a brand name, no longer physically exists.

UK has been in decline for at least sixty years in my experienced opinion.