The word ‘fascism’ is flung around far too quickly. Everytime you disagree with someone you are labelled ‘fascist’! So I am extremely reluctant to use it….but in the following case I think it is legitimate. This is truly shocking. Let’s first of all define our terms. This is what we mean by Fascism.
Fascism a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc., and emphasizing an aggressive nationalism and often racism. Or…..a political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual and that stands for a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition
This happened in Australia yesterday….
Masked policemen enter a private residence, handcuff a pregnant woman in her pyjamas, in front of her children, confiscate all the devices in her home (including those which are 
not hers) and take her away. What did she do? She posted something on Facebook in support of anti lockdown protest. It’s about as mild and compliant as you can get – even encouraging people to wear masks! What astounds me is that she offered to withdraw it because she did not know it was illegal. An offer they refused despite knowing that she had an ultrasound due in an hour. It is utterly astounding. And it’s not the first time that Melbourne police, in their new role as the stormtroopers for Daniel Andrews regime, have demonstrated these authoritarian tendencies. The following is a woman for example, being arrested for not wearing a facemask.
Can you imagine if this was of an African American being arrested by police in Mississippi? The memes, riots and politicians citing ‘You’re choking me’ would be world wide by now! But this is just a woman refusing to wear a facemask. Or lets take the earlier example – did the police visit the organisers of the BLM marches (illegal at the time), arrest them in front of their children, seize their phones and computers? Did they go to the homes of those who in support of BLM posted on Facebook that they would defy the law? It would be a cold day in Darwin before that would happen!
So let’s return to the definition of fascism? “ a centralized autocratic government headed by a dictatorial leader, severe economic and social regimentation, and forcible suppression of opposition”. “Fascism a governmental system led by a dictator having complete power, forcibly suppressing opposition and criticism, regimenting all industry, commerce, etc“. This is the State of Victoria today. A State led by someone, now nicknamed Chairman Dan, not just because of his signing up his State to come under the Belt and Road initiative of the Chinese Communist Party, but rather because of his authoritarian way of working and his ‘L’Etate – c’est moi’ attitude. It used to be a joke. It’s a joke no longer. This is reality. This woman was not arrested illegally. This is the new law in Victoria – a law passed with the help of the Greens – which allows the Andrews Government to conduct this kind of suppression for the next six months. Ask yourself why he was not prepared to take this as a monthly renewal (he actually wanted a 12 month extension to his draconian police powers)? This is a power grab – for which Covid 19 is only the good excuse. Dealing with Covid 19 does not require this kind of sledgehammer approach.
In a decent democracy, when footage came out of your servants behaving in this way because of laws you have a passed, a decent man would resign. This is not the modern world. There is nothing decent about this. In case you think that this is only in Victoria, don’t be so complacent. I can easily see Scotland and other Western countries falling into the same kind of benign dictatorship – where ‘progressive’ laws are passed purely because they are perceived by the progressives as good. Victoria sees itself as some kind of progressive beacon for the world with incredibly ‘liberal’ laws on progressive issues, and totalitarian laws for non woke issues (like free speech, freedom of religion etc). These laws are not based on ‘science’ but on political philosophy. For example today it is reported that whereas Chairman Dan assured us before passing his liberal law, only a few dozen people would be affected by the legalising of euthanasia – so far several hundred have killed themselves or been killed.
The other aspect of fascism does not seem to fit Chairman Dan or our other potential benign dictators. “political philosophy, movement, or regime (such as that of the Fascisti) that exalts nation and often race above the individual” They are not racists or nationalists. I agree – although there is an element of racism (judging people by the colour of their skin) and nationalism (Victoria for Victorians…We are proud of Victorians….we are defending Victoria – let the rest go hang!). But this is not the racism and nationalism of the Far Right. It is the racism and nationalism of the Progressive Left. It’s not nation and race that are exalted above the individual, but political class, and creed – enforced by the State and the Mob. We ‘are the People’ and the Party speaks for the People. Anyone who goes against the Party is an enemy of the People. (anyone else notice an uncanny resemblance to modern ‘Progressive’ Scotland – where if you don’t follow the ‘will/values’ of the ‘People’ (as expressed by the Party and the Party media then you are untermenschen – no longer one of the people?).
Let’s grant the most charitable perspective. Why not? It’s best to think the best of people – even with, or especially with, those whom we disagree. Our political leaders, Dan and Nicola have the best interests of the ‘common good’ at heart. They are ‘moral’ people seeking to do their best. But the trouble is that because they have lost their moral anchor, their moral compass has gone astray. They confuse ‘the good’ with their will. And they have little time for heretics or those who would dare to blaspheme their absolutist certainties. That’s why they have to crack down on the poor souls who dare to question or challenge their absolute authority. Like all authoritarians they believe that if they get their way then we are on our way to a Better World – a Brave New World. But if they don’t get their way then we are descending into the Abyss. That explains why they feel they have to crack down so strongly. It’s not just a power grab. It’s a necessary power grab – done for the common good. That’s for as long as they remain true believers. When that ceases (more likely for their acolytes), they still use the same weapons. They come to see that it’s all an unworkable fantasy – but they continue to peddle the illusion – because they have invested too much in it. Their sense of worth – personal, financial, emotional and social; all depend on it.
C S Lewis – as usual – summarised it beautifully (read his That Hideous Strength to see how the elites in pursuit of ‘human good’ end up creating hell on earth – or better still just read any modern history!). (Thanks to Andy Bannister for providing this!).
I suspect that the virus of authoritarianism that is so infecting much of our Western democracies (all in the name of doing good – or at least preventing evil) will end up having a longer and more dangerous legacy than any left by Covid 19. Our only solution is the road of humility, not the highway to hell of hubris. But Chairman Dan and Queen Nicola seem to prefer the latter. Without a repentance – a turning around – I fear we are indeed on the Progressive Highway to Hell (with apologies to ACDC).
Living easy, living free
Season ticket on a one-way ride
Asking nothing, leave me be
Taking everything in my stride
Don’t need reason, don’t need rhyme
Ain’t nothing I would rather do
Going down, party time
My friends are gonna be there too, yeah
I’m on the highway to hell
On the highway to hell
Highway to hell
I’m on the highway to hell
No stop signs, speed limit
Nobody’s gonna slow me down
Like a wheel, gonna spin it
Nobody’s gonna mess me around
Hey Satan, payin’ my dues
Playing in a rocking band
Hey mama, look at me
I’m on my way to the promised land, woo
We are coming to a crossroads – we either choose to go down the faith route of our forefathers, or the fascist route of some of our current progressive leaders. Real progression is to advance the kingdom of God. Liberal progressivism is a regression into the dark ages (the period before the coming of Christianity into the West – not what the Enlightenment called the Dark Agers) – a regression of which those videos from Melbourne are only a small taster. Choose ye this day whom you will serve!
David Robertson
Sydney
3rd September 2020
That Hideous Strength – How the West Was Lost – Melvin Tinker Part 1
THE SIX ENEMIES OF THE WEST WE NOW FACE
‘Melbourne [sic.] police, in their new role as the stormtroopers for Daniel Andrews regime’. Huh??
‘did the police visit the organisers of the BLM marches (illegal at the time)’ Were they illegal??
‘It’s not nation and race that are exalted about the individual, but political class, and creed – enforced by the State and the Mob. We ‘are the People’ and the Party speaks for the People. Anyone who goes against the Party is an enemy of the People.’ Really???
Yes. Welcome to the real world. The BLM marches were illegal – just as this proposed one is. And yes the rest of it is also true. Time to waken up!
David, what date was the ‘BLM’ (sic.) march in Melbourne? Was Melbourne in Stage 3 lockdown at that stage? Please give the evidence that that march was ‘illegal’.
Look it up for yourself! I’m afraid I don’t have time for carping with someone who seriously thinks that someone who posted on FB in favour of having a BLM march would get the same treatment. And yes – the BLM march in Melbourne was illegal but as the police commissioner said – we couldn’t stop 10,00 people and we did not want to be heavyhanded!
And Daniel Andrews advised people not to go on the march!
Thats the point. He ‘advised’ them not to go on the march – but did not prosecute them when they did. But in this instance he arrests a woman who just suggested that there should be a march! Its one law for causes he agrees with – and another for anyone who dares oppose him!
And they really think allowing labour back in power will be any batter, look out the current government will screw you into the ground , taxes in every corner, raise GST death duties, higher Petra’s places and when the next lockdown comes, you will have police bashing your door down and medical staff, will force you to receive the poison vaccine. No one ever wanted these bastards back in power but they got in by a rigged election.
Why not just call this Communism instead of Fascism? The Chinese Communist Party are guilty of far worse things that even this.
Fascism and Communism are two sides of the same coin.
There is one absolutely crucial difference you have overlooked.
A Communist authoritarian can be bought off by obedience. Retract your “unacceptable” opinion or belief, pay the required allegiance, you and your family will (probably) live.
A Jew, gypsy or person of colour, faced with a “master race” fascist, has no such option.
It doesn’t make either ok, but it doesn’t make them the same.
The context of the AC/DC song is that they had spent 4 years non stop touring another one of their songs shows what life on the road can be like with “It’s a Long Way to the Top (if you Wanna Rock ‘n’Roll)”
Ridin’ down the highway
Goin’ to a show
Stop in all the byways
Playin’ rock ‘n’ roll
Gettin’ robbed
Gettin’ stoned
Gettin’ beat up
Broken boned
Gettin’ had
Gettin’ took
I tell you folks
It’s harder than it looks
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll…
Hotel, motel
Make you wanna cry
Ladies do the hard sell
Know the reason why
Gettin’ old
Gettin’ gray
Gettin’ ripped off
Underpaid
Gettin’ sold
Second-hand
That’s how it goes
Playin’ in a band…
If you wanna be a star of stage and screen
Look out it’s rough and mean
It’s a long way to the top
If you wanna rock ‘n’ roll
And it shows what a punishing schedule and life it can be in order to follow your dream.
The truth is that playing in a band is awesome. My brother was the bass player of a badn called “The Almighty” and they toured supporting bands such as Alice Cooper and Iron Maiden, made it on to Top of the Pops and Channel 4’s the Big Breakfast with Zig and Zag.
I’m not fully aware of what is happening in Victoria. I’ve heard some scare stories. But that being how tings are reported now there is nothing new in that. It sells column inches, gets air time and internet clicks and much of reporting now seem to lack nuance.
The truth is there are elements of tyrany in every system and structure. Have the authorities in Victoria crossed the line into fascism? I don’t know. But I have experienced being failed by systems and I know what that is like. On the other hand the alternative with anarchy doesn’t appeal.
So how do we engage with this?
There is the biblical model to be obedient to authorities – they being there because God has put them there. Though like Habakkuk we might be questioning God’s wisdom about that, angry with God even. Perhaps there is a time to be like this with God and it be entirely appropriate – he doesn’t rebuke Habakkuk but in effect says “watch me – here’s what I am going to do”. Then Habakkuk after a bit more of a struggle turns his anger to praise.
I do like the idea of “soul force” and that seems to me to be taking our aggression and sexuality – our “mojo” – making it obedient to Christ and this with the love of God working powerfully. Then being able to discern God’s perfect will and being able to see God at work and choose to be involved in it.
Then in in eternal perspective be able, like the apostle Paul languishing in prison and about to face death be able to regard such things we are talking about here as “light and momentary troubles”. Then the joy of the Lord and the peace that he gives that is beyond understanding to prevail such that in all tings we are genuinely able to say “it is well with my soul”.
And yes, a letter from Australia he finally recognises that he is in Australia and not harking back to the old country like the archetypal whinging pom.
Perhaps you should ask yourself, from the luxury of Sydney, whether there are two sides to the story. You clearly have no idea what it’s currently like for people living in Melbourne, and the awful things Victorian police have had to face recently.
Dan Andrews is no saint and has made mistakes but he has done an outstanding job in reigning in COVID in Melbourne with widespread support from the people. The Murdoch press have carped, whined and undermined him from day one.
There is nothing fascist about arresting someone who incites others to break the law. It’s the same law in England. It’s the same law in Scotland. Maybe you should stop watching Murdoch’s hate TV channel and seek out the facts.
There is a very real possibility that months of lockdown, months of sacrifice, will be undone by selfish, QAnon, ‘libertarians’, and that more of the aged will die, more health care workers will be infected. Stopping that isn’t fascism – it’s necessary.
I have many friends in Melbourne – who are in daily touch. I’m afraid the rest of your post is full of the identity politics that is tearing the US apart and will tear Australia apart. Leave it to social media and don’t bring it on my blog. There is everything ‘fascist’ about arresting people who incite others to break the law. That’s what fascists do – use the law and the power of the State to control and intimidate it. I don’t watch Murdoch’s TV channel – and I do seek out facts (I read widely from a variety of sources) – which is why I wrote what I did. I would suggest you attempt the same and don’t just repeat memes off the Internet. Perhaps then your comments could make a rational rather than an emotive case based upon your own prejudices. If you can’t then post on your own blog
” There is everything ‘fascist’ about arresting people who incite others to break the law. ”
Did you really mean to type that?
I don’t know about the laws of Scotland or Australia: but I’m pretty sure that if I went online and solicited offers from a thief to break in somewhere, I would be smartly arrested on a charge of “encouraging or assisting crime ” (unless it fell under a specific Act such as the terrorism provisions).
A valid act of protest means you get arrested for breaking (or inciting others to break) the law and then stand public witness at trial and after that the law is unreasonable and must be changed – but you don’t get to demand the right to pick and choose which laws are worthy of obedience, disobey at will, and walk away. Do that, and you have no weapon but force with which to demand obedience from anybody else. And you lose your argument instantly against it having been used on you.
Well done Karen – you’ve spotted how state fascism works. It uses the law. So it was the law that Jews had to wear a star of David in 1930’s Germany. Your argument says that they deserved what they got for breaking the law!
Yes, you are right. I apologise for my intemperate language written in anger.
Thanks – appreciated. Been there – done that…got the hat! Take care…
“So it was the law that Jews had to wear a star of David in 1930’s Germany. Your argument says that they deserved what they got for breaking the law!”
I have absolutely no idea how you got from what I said, to what you said. Nobody deserves what the Jews got, and they weren’t slaughtered for “breaking the law” even as an excuse.
What I said – and our Lord said no less – is that if you want to be a hero of resistance to what you believe to be wrong, you should price in the cost, as well as the glory.
And as far as I know, the Jews were mostly compliant – but as I’ve pointed out, their plight was not about the law and no amount of obedience could save them. Given the fate of the Warsaw Uprising and the refusal by every other country to receive Jewish fugitives, I’m not even sure armed resistance would have availed.
If I wanted to present an authentically nasty argument from the Right, it would be the one used against a mother who was killed climbing a mountain – or more recently, the mothers of the children caged in the US. “If they cared so much about their children, why were they taking a risk?”
And what used to be called “pleading her belly” cuts no ice with them either: it’s not so long since a British Tory Prisons Minister had women prisoners in labour chained and handcuffed. I’m no fan of clumsy policing (and this does seem to have been a mismanaged operation) but I suspect sympathy these days on all “sides” does rather depend on who you are and not what you’ve done.
But if demanding the right to emulate Typhoid Mary is now to be treated on all fours with the right to exist, I guess I’m beaten. I’m already seeing a world where the old, weak and frail are being offered a straight “free” choice between life imprisonment and a death sentence. Why not give the rest total freedom to make Self Will their god?
After all, our first parents in the Garden were also told “He’s only trying to control you and deny your freedom.”
(And sit down: I’m not calling any politician God. Just pointing out that humans from their teens upwards never learn to question that siren call…)
You were using the ‘they were breaking the law argument’. I was just showing logically where that leads.
“You were using the ‘they were breaking the law argument’. I was just showing logically where that leads. ”
I never thought I’d have to remind *you*, as I’ve done so many, of the difference between remarking an increased probability of a given outcome to an act, and approving (far less wishing) for it as morally deserved. It’s a difference you must surely have in mind whenever you preach about Final Judgement.
If somebody breaks the law, they should not be surprised or hurt when the law reacts accordingly – the great protestors of history went proudly to a fate they knew they were courting and chose for what they considered sufficient reasons. They had (unlike the Jews) the option of recanting and knew what would happen when they didn’t. But the whole discussion is now out of date: my own Government has now come out publicly to simply declare the law a dead letter for anyone big enough to break it with impunity.
On a different note – and I doubt you’ll listen to it from me. Ask others you trust and see what they say.
I’ve noticed a huge increase in the frequency of your posts, and a concurrent increase in typos you would not previously have let through. I know you also do a lot on both main social media platforms (including the ensuing arguments), TV, radio, podcasts and I don’t know what else – I have to deny myself sight of a lot of them if I am to do anything else. And you also “read, mark, learn and inwardly digest” long and complicated books such as the one you posted about today. I have to take it on trust that you are praying and otherwise keeping your line to Heaven open: I worry that the only thing left you might be going short on might be sleep and possibly food as well.
I do keep you in my prayers, along with several other Christian bloggers I follow. I’m sure many more do as well. May the Lord have you and yours safely in His hand.
Thats fine Karen – I had not realised that you were talking about possible outcomes in authoritarian governments (break the law and you get punished) rather than justifying what happened to that poor lady. Then we have not disagreed – de facto authoritarians punish anyone who disagrees with them.
You may have noticed a ‘huge increase’ in the frequency of my posts – but your noticing is wrong. For the past two years I have posted one new blog per day. That number has not increased. They typos have always been a part of my poor style. I don’t expect anyone to read them all – only what they are interested in. Appreciate the concern about my reading and writing but to help you understand – what is posted on here is usually a collection of things I have published elsewhere (CT, Third Space, EN, secular newspapers etc). There are usually -3 fresh ones per week. I am short on sleep but that’s because of the birds! ANd I am certainly not short on food – neither physical or spiritual! Thanks for the concern though!
Glad to hear you are not overclocking it. But those words read as though you believe lawbreakers are only punished in “authoritarian governments” – unless you think *any* government is authoritarian? There are some who do.
That lawbreaking has consequences is a given: every law, from Eden downward, has a sanction for contravention. But your present subject hardly bears comparison with the Holocaust.
“That poor lady” was, and is, not a helpless Jew being persecuted for a bloodline she didn’t choose and can’t change, *having broken no law*. She deliberately chose to break a law she rightly or wrongly considers unjust, instead of having recourse to the legitimate means of having it changed that a democracy provides. She may not have known the exact consequences (and I repeat, the police did not handle their part well) but to suppose there would be none was as foolish as the idiots who make “joke” bomb threats in an airport and expect everyone in earshot to admire their cleverness.
I see the new morality in England has decided this week that law itself is an unjust imposition that can be ignored when inconvenient. Wasn’t that supposed to be the line of the Woolly Liberals and hairy hippies? But I guess it’s all about good old fashioned Self Will in the end.
Be safe, and God keep you so.
A great piece in Evangelical Times on ‘The Limits of Authority’ that I think is very relevant:
https://www.evangelical-times.org/59724/the-limits-of-authority/
Rev Robertson , I detect that this comment arises ( and justly ) from anger of the political situation and action taken by the Victoria police. Talk about heavy handed , I was disgusted to the point I believed that this was a set up and I awaited the , “Gotch Ya”!
However, I am also a Scot with no love for Nationalism in any shape or form. While I acknowledge the disastrous proposal our Nationalist run parliament have sought to enshrine in law , ( thankfully most have been thrown out) I doubt very much that Nicola Sturgeon would ever dream of inflicting such evil and draconian practices on the peoples of Scotland ( Yes ! I think that your hurt has clouded over your assessment in Scotland )
On the appalling police procedure of handcuffing the pregnant lady in her own home and in front of her children ( shocking , does not describe it) I am ever aware of my own son’s duty in Scotland as a police officer. Were he told to put into practice such heavyweight and unjust practice he would resign on the spot , and I would expect him to do that , at the very least . Yes . Victoria and Australia has a problem . It seems the Chinese Government’s methods are catching , and you are right to speak up from a Christian perspective but Victoria is Victoria and Scotland is Scotland.
Oh Boy , Do we need Jesus !
Long-time reader, first-time writer. I generally a big fan of your work David, but this piece just reads as inflammatory and ill-informed.
The concept you write about, Dan being a dictator etc. is categorically wrong. Because it’s a government, not a single man. Dan Andrews may be the public face, the spokesperson and even the figurehead of the Victorian government, but he is, by definition, not a dictator. That really comes back to a basic understanding of the English language and either demonstrates ignorance, or wilfully spreading something incorrect. And are you really willing to stoop so low as to revert to name-calling? That feels like an incredibly immature thing to do for something considered a Christian leader.
As for the initial video (and it should be noted that Alan Jones is an extremest and has demonstrably be sharing misinformation throughout the pandemic) it has absolutely nothing to do with the state of emergency, nothing to do with police overreach, and nothing to do with Dan Andrews. They had a search warrant. In Victoria, search warrants are granted by magistrates, not by the police or by politicians.
It’s also important to note that we don’t know the full circumstances. How do we know that this woman (who publicly claims to be a witch I should add) wasn’t doing much more than a simple Facebook post? And how do we know that there hadn’t been any prior communication between her and law enforcement? How do we know she hadn’t consistently refused to take the post down? How do we know she didn’t know it was illegal (people have been known to lie to try and avoid consequences for their actions)?
Also why does it matter that she’s pregnant or in her PJs? If a pregnant woman in her PJs robs a bank should they wait until her baby is born and she’s well dressed before arresting her?
Why was it the police’s fault that her kids were there? There appeared to be ample time before the hand cuffs came out for the father to take the kids to a different room.
This is a simple case of making uneducated assumptions to fill in the blanks when we only have one side of the story.
And bringing the BLM movement, euthanasia and other things is purely a straw man argument to try and make people angry.
Also suggesting that a democratically elected leader, who is following due process and acting within the rules of the government, should resign is awful and completely without Biblical basis.
I could go on about the seeming implications that the Premier (who is Catholic by the way) is anti-Christian, or that left-wing politics is inherently contradictory to Christian beliefs, but I fear it would fall on deaf ears.
Although I often disagree with your opinions, I have always had a great deal of respect for you, your writing and your teaching. You’ve generally appeared to be eloquent in your arguments and respectful of others. But this has demonstrated a deep lack of maturity, a wilful ignorance to the integrity of your subject, and a complete and utter lack of the love that, as Christians, we should be displaying in our lives.
You are a respected leader and people listen to you. I earnestly pray that you don’t continue to use that position to instil hate in those that trust you.
Thanks Jacob – hope you keep reading and writing – even when I point out what is wrong with your argument.
It doesn’t help to begin by condemning me for being inflammatory (which just means you are inflamed and don’t agree) and ill-informed (that’s another way of saying you are ignorant keep quiet!). Your post is shot through with these kind of cheap and sneering insults. You will forgive me if I don’t reply to those. You can do better. Its ironic that you complain about name calling when that constitues a substantial part of your post.
You are of course right about Chairman Dan – its not just him – its the government around him. Having a government around you and the apparatus of the state does not by definition mean that you are not a dictator. Unless you have a very strange definition.
You are aware that the video was not made nor initially broadcast by Alan Jones. I only used his clip because it was on YouTube. The initial video was made by the woman’s partner. Your attempt to negate the message by shooting the messenger does not work. I don’t care about Jones. I do care about what happened to that woman.
You tell us – without any knowledge, authority or rational – that this has ‘absolutely nothing to do with the state of emergency’ (what else but the state of emergency justifies this?), nothing to do with police overreach (you seem to think this is fine), and nothing to do with Dan Andrews (despite this being his policy – which he defended today!).
” In Victoria, search warrants are granted by magistrates, not by the police or by politicians.” – As they were in Nazi Germany and Stalinist Russia.
“It’s also important to note that we don’t know the full circumstances.” – We never do – about anything. Yet that does not seem to stop you pontificating.
” How do we know that this woman (who publicly claims to be a witch I should add) wasn’t doing much more than a simple Facebook post? ” _ because that is what she was charged with! I think you are confused about the witch part – I suspect you are confusing her with someone else you read about somewhere on the Internet. But even if that were true so what? Don’t you think that witches have basic civil rights? You want to bring back witchburning?
“And how do we know that there hadn’t been any prior communication between her and law enforcement? How do we know she hadn’t consistently refused to take the post down? How do we know she didn’t know it was illegal (people have been known to lie to try and avoid consequences for their actions)?” – You don’t know. SO you shouldn’t speculate – and you should only deal with the information you have. You seem somewhat desperate to defend Dan – why?
“Also why does it matter that she’s pregnant or in her PJs? If a pregnant woman in her PJs robs a bank should they wait until her baby is born and she’s well dressed before arresting her?
Why was it the police’s fault that her kids were there? There appeared to be ample time before the hand cuffs came out for the father to take the kids to a different room.” It’s all the fathers fault now. If this was the video of a black woman being arresting in the Southern US I somehow doubt you would be making the same ridiculous argument!
“This is a simple case of making uneducated assumptions to fill in the blanks when we only have one side of the story.” Yes – I agree that your comments are uneducated, speculative and attempting to excuse the inexcusable. Why did they have to handcuff her at all? Was she a perceivable threat that needed to be restrained? But you could be right – we don’t know that she is not an alien with superhuman powers brought down from Mars, so better to be safe!
“And bringing the BLM movement, euthanasia and other things is purely a straw man argument to try and make people angry.” You don’t seem to be aware of the situation in Melbourne (back to that commenting from ignorance). To help you. Victoria was doing fine – better than NSW with Covid. It boasted about having the strictest lockdown policy. Mass meetings, even small meetings were forbidden. Until Chairman Dan turned a blind eye to the BLM march (10,000 people) in Melbourne. WE were told it would do no harm as we would see after a couple of weeks. After a couple of weeks Victoria exploded (4 people on the BLM march had Covid) and now over 500 people are dead. It may of course just be coincidence – but it was not a coincidence that the people of Victoria saw the hypocrisy and many thought why bother? OF course the main reason for this debacle is Chairman Dan’s failed quarantine system – which he handed over to private security companies with little training (one of my favourite parts is when a guard testified he received no training in Covid – but he did receive diversity training!) .
“Also suggesting that a democratically elected leader, who is following due process and acting within the rules of the government, should resign is awful and completely without Biblical basis.” You must have a strange version of the Bible! I can’t find anything in mine which says that it is unbiblical to suggest that ‘a democratically elected leader should resign’! You also seem to have a rather strange idea of democracy!
“I could go on about the seeming implications that the Premier (who is Catholic by the way) is anti-Christian, or that left-wing politics is inherently contradictory to Christian beliefs, but I fear it would fall on deaf ears.” You could go on all you want – but you would be wasting your breath – because I never said anything about him being anti-Christian or left wing politics being contrary to Christian beliefs. Please don’t make things up or lie in order to attack. What is anti-Christian by the way is the slaughter of the unborn in the womb – something the Catholic church leaders told Andrews and something which is dismissed with a cheery “I don’t intend to be a Catholic health minister!”
“You are a respected leader and people listen to you. I earnestly pray that you don’t continue to use that position to instil hate in those that trust you.” – Your post was filled with accusations, abuse and falsehoods against me. Thats what I call hate. I forgive you for it, but next time be a bit more measured in your tone and be sure to get your facts right. Try to avoid attacking the person and go for the arguments. No – I won’t be intimidated by those who have the nerve to accuse me of instilling ‘hate’ for speaking the truth about this wicked situation – especially when they themselves use such abusive accusations to make their point.
“Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn famously said that one of the biggest mistakes people make is assuming totalitarianism can’t happen in their country. Many American Christians are making that mistake today, sleepwalking through the erosion of our freedoms. Live Not By Lies will wake them and equip them for the long resistance.”
Rod Dreher’s book, “Live Not by Lies” is a digest of he experiences of many in totalitarian regimes in Europe, due to be published shortly. I will read it, and I think that many thinking people should also. We, in the West, are largely sleepwalking into a very difficult future.
As a Canadian I am watching the situation in Australia with horror and disbelief. I’m far less troubled by the inept politicians and backward edicts than I am by the staggering willingness of Australians to comply. Politicians have always been corrupt and self serving; it is up to the populace to object and push back. When people have every aspect of their lives controlled, they eventually become passive, depressed, and often strangely defensive of their captor. It’s a form of Stockholm Syndrome. This article is excellent; the responses to it are deeply troubling. This was never about a virus – it was always about something much bigger….but people can’t fathom an agenda when its unprecedented – it’s too upsetting. The past few months have revealed how dangerously ignorant most people are. It’s difficult not to feel complete dread for the future.
My own government didn’t need the virus to “take control” of everything from the Queen downwards.
(Apart, one suspects, from each other. We have the interesting spectacle of both Parties being viciously cloven in two and pursuing deadly faction fights: but one is trying at the same time to exercise unrestrained power. It is not going well.)
They introduced the Brexit row and simply steamrollered every legal and constitutional obstacle, including seeking to silence Parliament itself by executive fiat. They already had sweeping emergency extra-Parliamentary powers in place before the virus ever left Wuhan.
They may, as I’ve seen claimed, find the virus highly convenient to cover over the consequences, but I don’t think they are organised enough, even if they were that evil, to effectively plan the death toll we have had, or the equally convenient swift reduction of the aged sick “burdening” the super economy they tell us will soon be powering ahead, and the NHS they are eagerly packaging for sale to the USA.
And they seem to be completely taken by surprise by the sudden migration of economic activity from the cities, and the success it has been. They are literally threatening to sanction businesses that don’t force their workers back into the big buildings that form such a tempting target for terrorists. Now there’s a piece of good old Left-wing control if you like, being deployed on behalf of *property speculators*.
But we do seem to live in days where the Left/Right split is becoming increasingly confused and people deprived of their familiar binary worldview are desperately trying to construct another so they can “own” the Bad Guys and feel more safe. God give us grace to hold on to the One who is “safer than a known way”.
Adrienne , While I believe that all are sinful , I do not believe that Politicians have always been corrupt and self serving .
A big apology to Adrienne. Having re-read your letter I find that you do not infer that all Politicians are corrupt . One large dose of humble pie being swallowed !
Thank you David for speaking up about this. You have a gift for writing and it’s a joy to read! I’m actually reading your Dawkins Letters and I’m enjoying it immensely. So thanks.
But yes it is hard to take that this – using the law to take our freedoms – is happening in my Australia. I agree wholeheartedly with you and am so glad that you courageously write about the dreadful state the world is in. The world needs Christ! It’s like watching a train wreck. Yes a decent man would have resigned. But the Lord is still sovereign and He is coming back soon!
Anyway I just wanted to say I support you, I pray for you and I’m pretty sure many more people do as well!!
Yours in Christ, Christa
Thanks Christa. Lovely to hear from you. I share your desire.
I thought I should break down/debunk some of the statements in this written piece:
“Masked policemen enter a private residence” – Face masks are currently compulsory when outside your place of residence in Victoria. The officers involved identified themselves clearly as Victoria Police and had their IDs displayed.
“handcuff a pregnant woman in her pyjamas” – handcuffing someone who is under arrest is standard procedure. The cuffs were off as soon as they were on, once it was established that the situation was under control.
“in front of her children” – why is this relevant? Since when do police need to check with an offender if now is a good time for them to be arrested? Plenty of Aboriginal women and other ethnic minorities are arrested in front of their families, but no one seems to care about that. But it happens to an Anglo woman and WHOA! Freak out!
“confiscate all the devices in her home (including those which are not hers)” – warrants authorise police to do this. This is nothing new.
“and take her away” – do you know that for a fact? The video stops before she was allegedly removed from the residence.
“What did she do? She posted something on Facebook in support of anti lockdown protest.” – no, Zoe Lee organised a protest event, in contravention of social distancing requirements and Stage 3 lockdown/stay at home restrictions. This is an offence under Victorian law, given the current State of Emergency.
“What astounds me is that she offered to withdraw it because she did not know it was illegal.” – this like someone who is speeding and is caught by police doing so responding with “sorry officer, I didn’t know it was an offence to speed! I promise to never do it again, if you let me off”
“An offer they refused despite knowing that she had an ultrasound due in an hour” – Victoria Police assisted her in arranging for the ultrasound to occur an hour later.
“And it’s not the first time that Melbourne police, in their new role as the stormtroopers for Daniel Andrews regime” – and there we have what actually is going on here, you don’t like Daniel Andrews, Nicola Sturgeon, nor their politics seemingly (which, for the record, are not one and the same). You’ve then sought to craft a written narrative to “Christianise” your dislike of them both.
On BLM protests, see my earlier post about Stage 3/4 and stay at home lockdowns not applying at the time, plus the caseload in Victoria and community spread were virtually non-existent at the time, as against much higher cases and community spread now. Daniel Andrews has also stated that ANY protest, including a BLM one, would be met by the same treatment by Victoria Police, were it to be organised now. Victoria Police have also said they would have a zero tolerance approach to any protest organised now, given the context (which is the bit you’re purposely missing) of the current caseload in Victoria.
Zoe Lee was not arrested because of her opposition to the Victorian Government, she was arrested for breaching public health orders and seeking to incite people to assemble, against active stay at home orders. The same treatment would happen to anyone who sought to do this at the present time.
“A State led by someone, now nicknamed Chairman Dan” – by the Liberal Party and the Murdoch press. Good to see that you’re matching their talking points (and revealing plenty about your own, personal political biases).
“not just because of his signing up his State to come under the Belt and Road initiative of the Chinese Communist Party” – the Federal Parliamentary Liberal Party supported this too, until Trump changed his tune and it became politically expedient not to. Again, thanks for trotting out Liberal Party talking points.
“his (Andrews) authoritarian way of working” – the arrest was completed by Victoria Police, in line with public health restrictions recommended by the Chief Health Officer of Victoria, not the Premier.
“a law passed with the help of the Greens” – good to see you have a healthy disdain for the Australian Greens too. Always a good element of any political conservative’s delusional rantings.
“In a decent democracy, when footage came out of your servants behaving in this way because of laws you have a passed, a decent man would resign” – why should the Premier resign for the Victoria Police doing their job properly?
“Our political leaders, Dan and Nicola have the best interests of the ‘common good’ at heart. They are ‘moral’ people seeking to do their best. But the trouble is that because they have lost their moral anchor, their moral compass has gone astray” – in your opinion. I’m sure both Dan and Nicola can make their own moral judgements without you trying to speak on their behalf.
“I fear we are indeed on the Progressive Highway to Hell” – as opposed to a conservative/libertarian highway to mass deaths, due to their absolute worship of the almighty dollar and love of money, coming far above any semblance of interest in protecting public health and loving their neighbour?
Again, this is a very disappointingly partisan piece from someone who should be above partisan politics. The one good thing is that it informs me in advance of your political perspective, that you will approach your commentary with a decidedly political conservative/Murdoch media angle. That’s fine for you to do, but it might be good form for you and the City Bible Forum to be upfront about that partisanship.
Thanks for your attempted justification of the actions of the Victoria police. You consider the actions of the Victoria police proportionate and reasonable – I don’t. No one was arguing that they were illegal. The problem is with the law. Dictators use law a lot!
You confuse the issue on BLM protests. Mass gatherings were illegal at the time – yet the police chose not to enforce that – with the government saying it would be impossible to enforce the law.
Please try to avoid the personal jibes and the attempt to discredit someone’s political views by making general accusations. FYI I read as much as I can – the SMH, Australian, Guardian, and many others. I would suggest that labelling and name calling does not help your argument.
Also try to avoid the intimidation as well as the sneering. My own personal political views tend to the left (not that that is any of your business) – my nickname was ‘Red Robbo’ and I was a member of the Labour party – although I don’t belong to any party just now. You don’t know my political perspective…from the safety of keyboard anonymity you presume what you do not know, make judgements and threaten. I have no idea who you are but I find your post particularly unpleasant and hectoring. If you are a professing Christian I can only suggest that you avoid such behaviour in the future, don’t make such sweeping judgements and learn to engage with a little more grace. It’s fine or Christians to disagree with political perspectives (there is no one Christian political perspective). But it’s not fine to be dishonest, abusive, sneering or threatening. I hope on reflection you will come to see that.
Very well said “Truth Matters” – thank you.
Just some final comments from me. The irony is that this happened in Victoria, which in 2015 protested attempts by the then Abbot government to bring newly blackshirted Border Force officers onto the streets of Melbourne to ‘check the papers’ of potential illegal immigrants. I remember that protest well.
I have been torn for many years by the cruel and harsh treatment of ‘illegal’ asylum seekers in Australia, shipped off to tropical islands and families split up, yet undeniably this policy works has saved lives. Perhaps this has desensitised the Australian people to what you consider harsh policing? (Mind you, compared to the policing I saw in the UK directed at striking miners, travelling people and striking P&O workers, it is anything but harsh.)
Finally, whatever you think of the progressive agenda of Daniel Andrews, for those living in Victoria the majority seem to believe he is doing a very good job with COVID (as shown in opinion polls). Of course he’s made mistakes, it just seems that the Murdoch press (in particular) seem less forgiving of him than the Premier of our northern neighbour.
Thanks Geraint – interesting and helpful comments. I don’t doubt that a majority of those who are asked believe that Andrews is doing a decent job of Covid – people tend to make these judgements based upon pre-conceived political opinions. You often find that those leaders with a more authoritarian tendency tend to be more popular (for a while). I do wish that people would stop using the ‘Murdoch’ press attack for every criticism made of Andrews. It’s sloppy and lazy argumentation. I don’t care whether it is the Murdoch, Packer or Xi Xinping press….I just care if what they report is true. Just to dismiss something because of the source is not wise. Why, even the Guardian has sometimes managed to print truth!
‘I do wish that people would stop using the ‘Murdoch’ press attack for every criticism made of Andrews. It’s sloppy and lazy argumentation. I don’t care whether it is the Murdoch, Packer or Xi Xinping press….I just care if what they report is true.’
At the risk of appearing sloppy and lazy (!) you misunderstood the point I was trying to make. I think this article in The Conversation makes it better:
https://theconversation.com/whether-a-ratings-chase-or-ideological-war-news-corps-coronavirus-coverage-is-dangerous-143003
What a cheap, nasty and ignorant article. I’m surprised you want to be associated with such prejudiced nonsense. Of course every newspaper and group will have people who get things wrong and say wrong things. But this ignorant labelling of everyone is just wicked. Do you not read Greg Sheridan because he writes for the Australian? What pure newspaper do you read?
David, I, for one, do read Greg Sheridan and appreciate his clarity and perception. I wonder here though why you mentioned him? Geraint didn’t, and the Muller article didn’t. Please help us understand what you are objecting to in the linked article.
What I am objecting to is the simplistic and shallow view that if anything is published by the Murdoch press it is defacto tainted and not to be read. Greg Sheridan is published by the Murdoch press – as are many other fine writers. In terms of news and analysis, the Australian is streets ahead of the SMH.
I think if you talk to the average African American then they will tell you that actually being arrested for no cause is actually pretty common for them.
A man from my church was pulled over and then arrested for a variety of made up charges, including not having an ID. He did have a drivers license in his glove compartment, but the officers wouldn’t let him get it.
An acquaintance of mine was stopped and questioned because he was a black man diving through a white neighborhood. He was actually on a long journey to visit relatives.
Yes – I am aware of the problems that some African Americans face in the US. But there are two problems – first don’t extrapolate American culture to the rest of the world. Secondly what does your comment have to do with this article?
David, with the greatest of respect (and I mean that) you are projecting: please respond to what I say, not what you think (or wish) I said. I have enormous respect for Greg Sheridan. Likewise Niki Savva, Annika Smedhurst, and a number of other journalists who work for the Murdoch mastheads. I would not condemn them for working for the Murdoch press any more than I would condemn a Christian minister working for the Uniting Church. I also think that the Murdoch empire has had a corrosive effect on Australian democracy, as described by Kevin Rudd. It has fought unfounded, anti-science and conflicted wars on wind farms, the national broadband network, the list goes on.
You seem very angry. Is your blog your Alter ego? Have you been eating bats?
I was responding to the comment that reading the Murdoch press de facto labels and excludes you. I’m not quite sure what you are talking about (or projecting on to) but it’s better to stick to the subject. I’m not remotely angry – although people who have to resort to personal abuse and amateur psychology, sorely tempt me to anger. Perhaps show a little more grace and humility when you engage? And please stick to the subject.
Should we expect a follow-up article about the NSW Deputy Premier sending counter-terrorism police to arrest journalists under false pretences because they dared to report on his corruption, or should I assume from your sensationalist language that this is a hit job from a partisan hack with no journalistic integrity?