Make this election a plebiscite on woke politicians

Michael Cook
July 23, 2024 24 Reactions

I confess to having been duped. Stupid of me. Being of a certain age myself, when Joe Biden froze, when he couldn’t remember a name, I made excuses for him.

Those policies which I didn’t like were his responsibility, but they were due to misinformation, or prejudice, or malice. Not senility.

Then came the debate and I realised that I had, like the whole Democratic Party and most of the media, been deceived.

Well, Joe is gone now and his vice-president, Kamala Harris, is standing on the shoulders of a giant. “Joe Biden’s legacy of accomplishment over the last three years is unmatched in modern history,” she says.

Unmatched. Yeah, that’s a good way to describe it. No other president has ever been a Manchurian Candidate for Planned Parenthood.

To lighten the burden of self-reproach, I will say that I had some vague misgivings about Joe soon after he was inaugurated.  

Here was this vaguely pro-life guy who had slipped his moorings and drifted out onto the stormy seas of wokeness.

Fifty years ago, in 1974 the newly-minted Senator from Delaware said: “when it comes to issues like abortion, amnesty, and acid, I’m about as liberal as your grandmother. I don’t like the Supreme Court decision on abortion. I think it went too far.” In 2006, he said: “I’m a little bit of an odd man out in my party … I do not view abortion as a choice and a right.” A year later he said: “I’m a practicing Catholic, and [abortion] is the biggest dilemma for me in terms of comporting my religious and cultural views with my political responsibility."

But by 2020 he was appearing in a Planned Parenthood video to declare: “We will protect women’s constitutional right to choose. I’m proud to stand with you in this fight.” And in 2022, he said from the White House: “I believe that a woman’s right to choose is fundamental.”

How did he move from being a pro-life Catholic to a grunt in Planned Parenthood’s militia? Ambition? Or senility?

His embrace of the LGBT agenda was so complete, so unquestioning, so reflexive, that it suggests the latter. Agenda  has a conspiracy-theory ring to it, but it’s a simple statement of fact:

Abortion. Tick

Gay rights. Tick

Trans rights. Tick

Teen trans mutilation. Tick

Pressure on developing countries to promote abortion and LGBT rights. Tick.

On the day he was inaugurated, Joe “issued the most substantive, wide-ranging LGBTQ executive order in U.S. history”, to quote the Human Rights Campaign, a leading LGBTQ advocacy group.

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He followed that up with highly symbolic appointments. Pete Buttigieg became Secretary of Transportation. Buttigieg is same-sex married and has twin children born to a surrogate mother who has been erased from their lives. Admiral Rachel Levine became US Assistant Secretary for Health, the highest ranking openly transgender official in the Administration. Sam Brinton, a non-binary drag queen, became a deputy assistant secretary in the Department of Energy – and was later sacked after being charged with stealing women’s luggage at airports on several occasions.

Every year – 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 – Joe issued a syrupy endorsement of trans rights on Transgender Day of Visibility. “You are loved.  You are heard.  You are understood.  You belong.  You are America, and my entire Administration and I have your back.” The fact that medical authorities overseas were repudiating trans medicine didn’t bother him. The fact that trans teens were detransitioning after their bodies had been mutilated and their fertility destroyed didn’t bother him.

In retrospect, it should have been clear that the Joe Biden of 1974 had gone stark, raving senile.  

Through his weakness, Joe confirmed the Democrats as the Party of Wokeness.

So be it. But my feeling is that most Americans outside of Hollywood and Manhattan have serious misgivings about electing another Planned Parenthood marionette.  

I have a suggestion for Kamala. Test the strength of Joe’s legacy. Make November 5 a plebiscite on wokeness. Choose Pete Buttigieg as your running mate. He’s angling for it:

Leave a legacy of your own. Seek an unequivocal endorsement of Joe’s woke agenda. It’s your destiny. 

Forward this article to your friends now! 

Michael Cook is editor of Mercator 

Image credits: official White House photo by Adam Schultz / 2021

 

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  • Israel Kalman
    commented 2024-07-30 06:45:00 +1000
    Michael, I don’t think the hypothesis, “the whole Democratic Party and most of the media, [had] been deceived,” is correct. I believe the correct one is “the whole Democratic Party and most of the media, deceived us.”

    The media, other than those that clearly define themselves as conservative, have been serving as a propaganda machine of the Democratic Party, which itself has become monolithic in what it presents. That’s why you see such unanimity. Once upon a time ago, the news media saw its role as presenting a fair and unbiased presentation of events and issues. In recent decades, the media have become political activists for either the Democratic or Republican Party. And because most of the “journalists” working today have been educated in universities, which, as is well known, have been taken over by progressive philosophy, that is where their allegiance lies. They will change what they say in lockstep the party they support. I could be wrong, but I think the progressive media have been more guilty of this than the conservative.

    All the media to the left of Fox News and the National Review–and this includes the New York Times, considered the most reliable source of new in the world–are dedicated to making sure that the Democratic Party gets our vote, regardless of who is running or how destructive their policies are.

    Anyone following conservative news sources knew very well what was happening to Biden.
  • David Page
    commented 2024-07-28 01:08:24 +1000
    Angela, Trump is a realist? The man who supposedly fell in love (his choice of words) with Kim Jong-Un? Trump is a tabula rasa (a blank slate). When you look at him you see what you want to see. Do you believe that Trump cares about any alliance? But the reality is that trump cares only about Trump. He told Putin that, should he be reelected, he will not honor the NATO pact. He likes dictators. And Australia will be helpless without the protection of the American military umbrella.
  • Steven Meyer
    commented 2024-07-26 17:02:56 +1000
    David Page

    I hope she wins. But I’m realistic. From where I am sitting it looks as if she’s going down in the Electoral College.
  • Angela Shanahan
    commented 2024-07-26 13:27:55 +1000
    David Page, you are wrong. Trump is a realist and as in his past administration he knows that the Australian alliance is valuable as his lynch pin in the Pacific, where China is expanding.
  • Al Brennan
    Some people have lacked no shortage of perspicacity in the past and some do indeed seem intent on keeping their records intact. Kamala Harris can win?? Seriously?? There is more chance of winning lotto 52 weeks in succession with the same numbers. She, has no chance. Like it or loath it, Trump will win, and mostly likely with the biggest numbers ever recorded. The jig is up, finally.
  • David Page
    commented 2024-07-26 11:24:23 +1000
    Steven, we shall see. I think she can win. And you need her to win. The alternative is for Australia and New Zealand to stand virtually alone against the Chinese behemoth. Trump will abandon you.
  • Friend
    commented 2024-07-26 04:34:37 +1000
    Anon E Mouse,

    As for Trump and abortion, the argument from hypocrisy is a particularly stupid form of ad hominem. If a smoker tells you that you shouldn’t smoke because it can kill you, he is a hypocrite. He is also 100% correct.

    As to the definition of “woke” from the Florida official, well, the meaning of that depends on how one defines “systemic injustices” and how, exactly, one intends to “address” them, doesn’t it? I would argue that “systemic injustice” is largely imaginary and that therefore any means of “addressing” it are useless at best, destructive at worst.

    I would further argue that the particular means the “woke” use to deal with that imaginary monster—discrimination on the basis of race, sex, etc.; opposition to American culture and society as such; opposition to capitalism as such; teaching lies and distortions about American history; teaching that logic, reason, mathematics and science are tools of white supremacy; putting male rapists in women’s prisons; allowing severe injury of female athletes by biological men participating in women’s sports, mutilation of children—would be counterproductive, indeed massively destructive, even if the monster did exist.
  • Steven Meyer
    commented 2024-07-25 15:27:56 +1000
    David Page,

    I don’t think Harris has a chance of winning the swing states.

    Yes, she’s energised the Dem base.

    But she’s energised the gullible little Trumpies even more. They really really hate her. I can see them crawling to the polling booths to vote Trump/Vance in the swing states.

    I think she’s going down in the Electoral College come what may.

    I’d be delighted to be proved wrong but I notice that Obama, at the time of writing, has not endorsed her. My guess: He’s still hoping the convention makes a better choice.

    Meanwhile, for what it’s worth, here’s what Trump has to say about people with disabilities.

    Fred Trump says former president thought that disabled people “should just die”

    https://www.salon.com/2024/07/24/fred-says-former-thought-that-disabled-people-should-just-die/

    Quote:

    But former President Trump’s apathy for the lives of disabled individuals extended even to his own family members, Fred added. Describing a later encounter, when he asked his uncle to support his son William’s medical expenses, Trump wrote that his uncle repeated a similar sentiment.

    “‘I don’t know,’ he finally said, letting out a sigh. ‘He doesn’t recognize you. Maybe you should just let him die and move down to Florida,’” the passage read.

    End Quote

    Of course none of this will stop those “Good Christians” voting for Trump. They long abandoned the teachings of Jesus for the teachings of Trump’s spin doctors. So it goes.
  • mrscracker
    I have no information to add about Mr. Buttigieg’s adopted children & their origins but at the very least all children deserve both a mother & father. They do not deserve to be intentionally made orphans.
    Adoption is a solution when death or other circumstances prevents a mother from raising her own child. There are many, many US couples waiting to adopt children. It’s a years & years long waiting list. And for twin babies? Goodness how many husbands & wives would do anything to adopt twin infants?
    These weren’t “unwanted” children who had no better options available. If their birth mother was unable or unwilling to raise them they at least should not be denied an adoptive mother.
    Children are not a commodity. Adoption should benefit the child’s best interest, not the adult’s.
  • David Page
    commented 2024-07-24 22:56:22 +1000
    I think you are all in for an unpleasant election evening. You have rung abortion for all it is worth. Now you are ringing the necks of women in general. Do you think they haven’t noticed? By Election Day eveyone will know everything about project 2025. And you are underestimating Vice President Harris, as you always underestimate women, and non whites in general. She is as tough as nails., and she takes nothing for granted. You all know I am not a fan of abortion, but I have always suspected that among conservatives anti abortion was buoyed by a thick streak of misogyny. You will, of course, deny it and talk about how you revere women, but that is just talk. In your world women are either on a pedestal or in the gutter. They are never equal. All this is becoming obvious. And, as we used to say in the Army, pay back is a …..well. you know.
  • Michael Cook
    commented 2024-07-24 08:27:49 +1000
    About Pete Buttigieg’s children. True, he did not give a shout-out to the surrogate mother. They adopted the children. But whether they were with an adoption agency or from a surrogate mother, they would almost certainly have to be legally adopted, as Buttgieg and his partner were neither the birth mother nor her spouse. Pink News describes them as the children of a surrogate:
    https://www.thepinknews.com/2021/10/21/pete-chasten-buttigieg-twins-view/
    and a more sober look at the ambiguity concludes that they were born to a surrogate mother:
    https://cbc-network.org/2021/09/the-rarity-of-twin-adoption-versus-the-reality-of-surrogacy/
  • mrscracker
    Yes, Mr. Mouse. I’m all for feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, & visiting those in prison. If the corporal works of mercy were the definition of “woke” I’d be 100% woke myself. But that’s not the entire definition today. Language changes from one season to the next whether we approve or not.
  • Anon Emouse
    commented 2024-07-24 02:08:29 +1000
    Michael,

    “So be it. But my feeling is that most Americans outside of Hollywood and Manhattan have serious misgivings about electing another Planned Parenthood marionette.”

    Tell me, which is the party that elected an actor (Reagan) to the office of President? Which party elected a reality-tv star and a Manhattan real-estate magnate to the position? Please stop using “Manhattan” and “Hollywood” as pejoratives, its beneath the dignity of the argument you’re presenting.

    Additionally, taking pot shots at Secretary Buttigieg and his husband for adopting twins? Most reports I’ve read stated the adopted and didn’t use commercial surrogacy (which I know you hate). But I guess this means you think same-sex couples shouldn’t be allowed to adopt unwanted children?
  • Lisa Goddard
    commented 2024-07-24 01:27:22 +1000
    My comments here don’t necessarily relate to this specific article.
    I hoped this news stream would be like Bioedge which really was ‘dignitarian’ – in that it respected all persons, and gave a Christian perspective in a balanced and informed way.
    I am a conservative Christian and conservative about ethical issues. But the articles in Mercator have a rhetorical, fervid and biased edge. Perhaps extremist kind of language sells better which is why Mercator prospers while Bioedge had to close. Very sad. I will be unsubscribing.
  • Anon Emouse
    commented 2024-07-24 01:20:03 +1000
    mrscracker,

    https://www.fox13news.com/news/what-does-woke-mean-gov-desantis-officials-answer-during-andrew-warren-trial

    “The governor’s general counsel, Ryan Newman, said, in general, it means “the belief there are systemic injustices in American society and the need to address them.”

    I feel like Christ would be accused of being “woke” for his stances on feeding the hungry, clothing the naked, housing the homeless, caring for the sick, etc.
  • mrscracker
    “Being “woke” simply means caring about marginalized groups. "
    ********
    That was true Mr. Bunyan, but language changes & evolves in meaning over time.
  • mrscracker
    Joe Biden appears unwell & certainly has suffered a decline of some sort over the years. But I think the dementia hand has been overplayed. He may not be holding a full deck at all times but I believe he’s more aware of what’s going on than the media portrays.
    Showing him at his very worst in an unusually early debate seemed orchestrated for the results we see now. Someone called it a “soft coup.”
  • Anon Emouse
    commented 2024-07-23 21:35:00 +1000
    How many abortions do you think Donald paid for before he was president?
  • Fabio Paolo
    commented 2024-07-23 21:24:12 +1000
    YYEEEEEEEESSSSS!!!!
  • Columban Devine
    commented 2024-07-23 19:38:07 +1000
    To Trotsky Steven and Paul, Stay Woke you guys!
  • Trotsky Lives!
    commented 2024-07-23 18:13:18 +1000
    Rhubarb, rhubarb. Couldn’t have said it better myself. Which is the problem with this article. You are preaching to the choir, or whatever the metaphor it. The problem is that no one will be persuaded of your point of view. If you’re lucky, people who don’t like Biden will continue not liking Biden. People who more or less support Biden/Harris will be sneer at the rhubarb. The score card is still 0-0.
  • Steven Meyer
    commented 2024-07-23 16:00:56 +1000
    For what it’s worth my money is still on Trump/Vance to win in November.

    Dementing Don won’t make it through his term. My best guess, before the end of 2025 it’ll be President Vance.

    This is a forecast, not an endorsement of Trump/Vance.

    Of the two lousy options on offer I personally think Harris is the less awful.

    Not by any means a good option. Not someone I’d like to see president. Just less awful than Trump/Vance.
  • Paul Bunyan
    commented 2024-07-23 15:47:15 +1000
    Being “woke” simply means caring about marginalized groups. Those who oppose wokeness tend to advocate for extreme right-wing policies that cut taxes on the rich and exacerbate income inequality.

    Anti-woke politicians aren’t interested in making life better for most people. They convince large swathes of the population to vote against their own financial interests by citing the culture war and lying about what liberal policies do in practice.
  • Michael Cook
    published this page in The Latest 2024-07-23 15:30:55 +1000

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