Michiganders* demand removal of racist flag, but guess what...

In St. John's MI, about 20 miles north of the capital of the Karen State, there is a charming bed and breakfast called the Nordic Pineapple. Kind of a strange name, informed perhaps by the owners' (Greg and Kjersten Offenbecker) being Norwegian-American -- kind of like those Nordic types Garrison Keillor used to talk about on Prairie Home Companion. [Whatever happened to that show? Ed.] For more on those fun-loving Norskes, see Scandinavian Humor & Other Myths, by John Louis Anderson (Nordbooks 1986).

According to Mr Keillor, Norwegians do have a sense of humour. They also have a sense of national or -- dare I say it -- ethnic pride, the kind of pride that makes them fly the Norwegian flag outside their homes, just as Italian-Americans fly the Italian flag and Japanese-Americans fly... well, maybe not.

Unfortunately for the Offenbeckers, the Norwegian flag, when hung on a pole at an angle to the upright, looks -- to those untrained in vexillology -- not unlike the Battle Flag of the Confederate States of America. And we all know what that means! Although they never received any direct threats, Greg and Kjersten were accused more than once of "promoting racism", a notion they find particularly hurtful, as they're raising two adopted black kids. So after receiving “at least a dozen hateful emails,” and twice as many rude comments, they decided last week that enough was enough. [Are we still allowed to use that expression? Ed.]

On her Facebook page, Mrs Offenbecker wrote: "This flag is so often mistaken for the Confederate flag and people are often offended by it before they realize that they are mistaken. I am very proud of my Norwegian heritage and will fly it on special occasions like Norwegian Independence Day and maybe I will find a less conspicuous place to fly it but, for now we feel that it is the best decision to take it down."

In reporting this fine example of the triumph of political correctness and the cancel culture, RT.com adds that this is not the first time the Norwegian flag got mistaken for something else. Two years ago, bestselling true-crime author Rebecca Morris alerted the Seattle Times to her sighting of a Confederate flag in her neighbourhood. What reporters found instead was a Norwegian-American homeowner showing the support of his Scandinavian country of origin during the Olympic games that were taking place the time.

Where will it all end? Walt says enough is enough! But you know and Walt knows that for the woolly-minded liberal SJWs, enough will never be enough.

* Footnote from Ed.: If men from Michigan are called "Michiganders", are women from Michigan "Michigeese"? Just askin'...

B&B for BDSM - only in Canada?

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT

Dear reader, if you need to have either of the terms "B&B" or "BDSM" explained, you probably shouldn't be reading this. But since Walt knows you will... "B&B" = "bed & breakfast", cheap and cheerful lodgings, usually in someone's home, where a weary traveller can find repose after a hard day on the road. According to Wikipedia, "BDSM" = "a variety of erotic practices or roleplaying involving bondage, dominance and submission, sadomasochism, and other interpersonal dynamics". Combine the two et voilà: B&B for BDSM!

But do places like the one pictured really exist? Why, yes! And not just in latter-day Sodoms and Gomorrahs like New York and Toronto. The recreation room in the photo is to be found within Euphoria B&B, in beautiful downtown Stellarton, Nova Scotia! (That would be just off Highway 104, about halfway between Truro and Antigonish. You're welcome.)

Euphoria B&B is a home business opened last fall by owners Kelly McAlear and Leslie Ogle. And yes, it caters to adults (only!) who want to experience role-playing, bondage, dominance, submission and sadomasochism. And other interpersonal dynamics. Walt can't provide a link to the website, since it's been taken down after a visit from Inspector Knacker of the local constabulary, who questioned whether they had the right permit to operate a business out of their home according to the town bylaws. They didn't so they stopped advertising.

However, word of the B&B has spread, resulting in a number of meetings with various families and town officials. Kim Murray, a neighbour who found out about the bed and breakfast two weeks ago, said, "We're a little shocked." But the B&B owners said there was no extra charge for that, and that they'd already applied for the correct permit.

The neighbour isn't satisfied. "I think the people with small children seem to be more concerned," she told the CBC. "They don't know who's going to be in their neighbourhood and who will be coming." [Kudos to Walt for avoiding a cheap joke there. Ed.]

A town planner in Stellarton says if the couple obtain a permit and the location passes a fire inspection, the town cannot force the business to stay closed. However, there is a neighbourhood covenant for Poplar Street in Stellarton -- where the bed and breakfast is located -- which indicates there must be no business or professional activity on the road.

"If somebody felt that a property owner was in contravention of one of the covenants," he said, "they could seek legal advice and perhaps take some kind of civil action."

The CBC, always keen on stories promoting "alternative lifestyles", contacted a user group in Halifax for comments. The Society of Bastet, where people can carry out sexual fetishes and practise an alternative lifestyles, revealed that the "kink scene" is more common than many realize. An anonymous spokesthingy said that between 30 and 100 people participate in kink parties in the Halifax area on a regular basis.

According to FetLife, "the largest and most popular FREE Social Network for the Kinky community", there are 17,000 members in Nova Scotia.

The Society of Bastet member told the CBC one of the misconceptions about BDSM is that it's rough sex, à la Jian Ghomeshi. But, he said, that' not always the case. "BDSM does not have to include sex. If two people are consenting, they can have sex with their BDSM — that is fine — but they don't have to," he said. "At Bastet, and at the bars and the parties too, sex is off the table. [On the floor, perhaps? Ed.] So that way you can just focus on the S&M and not have to worry about having that sexual pressure there."

[Space does not permit any further titillating quotes of comments. I have tied up Walt's hands and inserted a gag in his mouth, and won't remove it until he begs and grovels. Ed.]