The Fleming Foundation Cultural Commentary

13

“We Can Take Anything We Want!” With a report from Andy Vaught of SNO

Finally.  No more lies about police brutality and the legacy of slavery.  Black Lives Matter goes on the record with its mission statement.  BLM organizer Ariel Atkins, describing the  looting in Chicago as ‘reparations,’ declared:

 “I don’t care if someone decides to loot a Gucci or a Macy’s or a Nike store, because that makes sure that person eats, that makes sure that person has clothes.”

9

Good News From Big Belly Q in Chapel Hill

A hearty welcome back to UNC and our community! On August 12th we’re safely re-opening a whopping 4 days a week (Wednesday-Saturday) including biscuity brunch items on Saturday. We will be accepting online orders as well as walk-ins with limited seating available outside on the patio. Deliver options will be made available in the coming weeks as well. We look forward to welcoming the students and staff back with delicious smoked goodness in a safe and convenient environment. Wood-fired Neopolitan pizzas will begin in September on Friday nights with tons of specials and events leading up to it. First bonus! We’ll be giving away a t-shirt each week. Simply Follow us on IG, tag 2 bbq loving friends along with a comment of a favorite bbq item and location (e.g the dirty bird chicken biscuit @bigbelly_que ). We’ll choose our favor

18

No Representation Without Taxation

Some sensible person on FB suggested that only taxpayers have the right to vote. Some of his “friends” demurred. I gave this answer: Paying taxes is a significant part of citizenship, so is agreeing to do one’s duty, if drafted or receiving a summons to sit on a jury. I avoided but did not evade military service on legal and reasonable grounds, but if taking the franchise away from draft-dodgers meant that I forfeited the right to vote, so be it. But that is only the start. Decades ago, I proposed a general rule that taxpayers, but not tax-consumers should...

18

Wednesday’s Child: Belorussian Roulette

Not a kind word for him anywhere, East or West.  They are calling him “Europe’s last dictator,” which only makes sense if neighboring Russia is a country in Asia, and every little French politician, every sniveling British journalist, every U.S. State Department flunky, and every Kremlin lackey are gloating over his political demise, which is said to be imminent. This coming Sunday, Belorussian elections may be won by a random female candidate who is capitalizing on the protest vote against the taciturn mustachioed incumbent, and I sincerely hope this grossly maligned man manages to falsify the result to stay in...

1

PRESIDENT TRUMP ADDRESSES THE AMERICAN PEOPLE, 4

My list of  vital  but neglected problems  includes the threat to freedom of speech and democratic government  from control of  the so-called social media by a handful of unelected men.  These people seem to consider  themselves masters of the universe who can force Americans  in a direction they want us to go.

5

Clash of Civilizations

Reading A Thousand Years of Jihad took me back more than 55 years to my freshman year in college.  I had become a rather indifferent student by the time I graduated from high school and went to college only to play football.  However, an outstanding history professor renewed my interest in scholarly pursuits with lectures that not only told great stories but also revealed great truths.  Thomas J. Fleming and Frank Brownlow do the same in this volume, and convey an impression of intimacy as if one is sitting in their classroom.  This is learning at its best.