Candace Owens VIDEO CENSORED by YouTube "restricted" mode

OK, time to shake off the lethargy induced by the lamestream media's obsession with trivia, like who paid a fixer to get their kid into Harvard. Let's take a moment to think about something that has real meaning.

On April 9th, conservative commentator and political activist Candace Owens testified before the House Judiciary Committee. Ms Owens is the Director of Communications at the conservative advocacy group Turning Point USA, and is known for her pro-Trump stance and her criticism of Black Lives Matter and of the Democratic Party. It is therefore remarkable that she was invited to appear before the Committee, but she was and and she did. Her excoriation of the leftist (((controlled media))) created several viral moments, one of which became the most-watched C-SPAN video of a House hearing on Twitter.

You might think that would guarantee that the clip would go viral on YouTube. You would be wrong, because the clip, posted by PragerU, has been placed in "restricted mode", meaning that the video is censored from all users that have enabled the website's "restricted mode" feature, which typically include libraries, schools, public institutions, or any place frequented by younger viewers.

Supposedly that's to block videos that (((someone))) has been deemed "inappropriate", such as those containing pornography or violence. Or those that tell the truth about the lamestream media's current campaign against "white nationalism" and "hate crimes". Said Ms Owens, "If they were serious about the rise of hate crimes, [the leftist media] would be examining themselves and the hate they have drummed up in this country." Check this out.



This is not the first of PragerU's videos to have ended up on the YouTube fecal roster. Dennis Prager, the organization's founder, told Breitbart News last February that 80 of their 400 videos are on the "restricted" list, "lumped with pornography and violence, so that kids in libraries and schools can't see them. If you are not on the left, you are to be shut down. We have never, ever had anything like this in American history. We are in a dark age because of the left's control of Silicon Valley, academia, and media. It' a dark age that we are living in right now, and it is entirely left-wing induced."

VIDEO: Fancy fiddling from Pure Laine in the Canadian woods

Ed. here. Walt is still being seen by doctors who are unable to agree on what ails him. They are bandying about a theory that he's suffering from depression and exhaustion caused by constant exposure to dismaying news about the state of the Church and the state of the Union. It's possible. Consider the demise of Dr Hunter S. Thompson, whom Walt has long regarded as a role model. I (Ed.) say, don't do it, Walt!

In an effort to cheer Walt up -- laughter is the best medicine! -- Poor Len has sent a link to an unusual music video, the finale of the 2010 Pure Laine (geddit yet?) competition held that year at Pembroke in rural eastern Ontario, Canada. About two dozen fiddlers were required to play reels in turn, without stopping and without playing a reel that had already been played. In the finals, the fiddlers play only the "A" part of a reel -- only ten seconds. This clip shows the last minutes of the two-hour contest, with only three participants left: April Verch, Shane Cook and Danny Perreault. The judge, wearing a referee's shirt (natch) is René Dacier. Spoiler alert: the winner is... April Verch!

For a week encore, we see Danny Perreault playing Breakdown à Rosaire, one of his own compositions, while Germain Leduc accompanies him with a bit of stunt piano-playing. Walt loves this stuff and we hope readers will find it at least, errr, interesting. We challenge you to listen to it without tapping your feet!



Musicians out there who are interested in folk music, and old-timey fiddling in particular, can click here to see April Verch give a short demonstration of the different Canadian fiddle styles. Those who like Cajun fiddling will gain a better understanding of the link between Cajun music and the music of French Canada. American fiddle music, by contrast, descends from the music of Ireland and Scotland, which is all comes together in what Canucks call "Down East fiddling". But that differs from much of what you'll hear in Canada's western provinces, where there's a strong Ukrainian influence. I could go on... [Don't. Ed.]

Poor Len Canayen: Salut, les boyz!

Poor Len here with a few thoughts on the Montréal Canadiens' 2018-2019 season, which came to an end last night with a thrilling shootout win (6-5) over the Toronto Maple Laffs. Thanks to the vicissitudes of the NHL's playoff "system", they missed the last wild card spot in the Eastern Conference by just two points -- one loss back in the dead of winter -- even though they finished with more points than three of the teams who will compete in the Western Conference series. Go figure.

But les Glorieux gave us fans a great season, better than anyone predicted or even hoped, and I, Walt [and Ed.! Ed.] wish them a well-deserved rest and better luck next year. See you in September!

Now some suggestions for Habs General Manager Marc Bergevin about improving the club's roster and prospects for 2019-2020. I give Bergie full credit for some good acquisitions over the course of the last year, and for getting rid of some of the duds who started the season wearing the bleu-blanc-et-rouge, and are now gone and forgotten. Let's see who's left.

Goal: Star goaltender Carey Price can take a good deal of credit for the team's commendable comeback from the low to which they had sunk in 2017-18. For want of a reliable backup goalie, he played 13 games in a row, before Charlie Lindgren's season debut in last night's finale. Before the game he was presented with the Molson Cup -- first star of the year -- which he richly deserves. See ya next year, Carey.

After one heroic game, backup Antti Niemi folded up like an accordion. He must shoulder the blame for a couple of the mid-season losses that denied the team entry into the playoffs. We won't be seeing him again. But is Charlie Lindgren the right man to sit in the shadows at the end of the bench while Price shines? I say not. He allowed five goals last night and redeemed himself only by a couple of good stops in the overtime and shootout. I don't have much confidence in him, and am not sure the players do, either. A better bet would be Michael McNiven, who dressed as backup once this season but didn't get into the game. He's da guy!

Defence: What keeps de cows in de field? De fence! And the Habs didn't have a lot of it at the start of the season. We were left wondering when Shea Weber would return, and who was capable of playing alongside him. He did come back in December and was for the rest of the year the pillar of strength we expected. Good scoring numbers too. And (almost) rookie Viktor Mete has the speed and talent to partner Cap'n Shea. If only Mete could put the puck in the net! (He has yet to score his first goal.) But he's a keeper, and so are Brett Kulak and Christian Folin [a Swede? Ed.], so I'd say the defence is pretty well set. Xavier Ouellet and Mike Reilly are OK for reservists. Karl Alzner and Noah Juulsen might be traded for a bag of pucks.

Forwards: Marc Bergevin's critics were silenced over the season when not one but SIX (6) of his trades and pick-ups turned out to be good players. Max Domi, Tomas Tatar, Joel Armia, Nate Thompson, Jordan Weal and first-round pick Jesper Kotkaniemi all contributed to the Habs' unexpected rise to the ranks of playoff contenders, more than making up for the loss (?) of Alex Galchenyuk and Max Pacioretty. [Who? Ed.] Brendan Gallagher would have a C on his sweater if Weber wasn't there. Andrew Shaw had a career year. And Phillip Danault deserved to win the Molson Trophy, awarded to the player who makes a great contribution without receiving any special honour.

On the other side of the coin we find the face of Jonathan Drouin, who failed for the second year to live up to expectations. Not that he had a bad year, but he'd have done better if he'd showed up for every game. Know what I mean? Bergie would do well to trade him, maybe to Arizona where he could play with Galchenyuk. Artturi Lehkonen suffered from prolonged bouts of depression (or something) and seemed incapable of finishing plays or finding the back of the net. On one occasion he passed the puck rather than taking a clear shot at an empty net. On the plus side, he's very responsible in his own zone, and good on the PK. And he's a Finn so can make up a line with Kotkaniemi and Armia. Keep him. He might turn out to be another Bob Gainey.

And then there's Ryan Poehling, pictured above doing the first-bump after scoring THREE (3) goals in the score-fest vs the Leafs. The Minnesota native has been gaining experience (and weight) in the NCAA signed with les Glorieux last weekend and played his first NHL game last night, scoring not only the hat-trick but the winning goal in the shootout! Could he be the big, classy centre that the Habs have sought for lo these many years? I and Walt [and Ed.! Ed.] hope so.

In summary, I think Marc Bergevin can afford to stand pat -- more or less -- this summer. If he can move Drouin for a decent winger, and maybe find a reliable and experienced backup goalie, all well and good, but even without major changes, I predict better things for la Sainte Flannelle next year! See you then!

Church should NOT promote mass migration: Cardinal Sarah

Jorge Bergoglio, aka Pope Francis [Some are starting to call him "Anti-pope". Ed.], is a big believer in mass migration. Channeling (((Emma Lazarus))), the Unholy Father keeps admonishing us to be more welcoming of "refugees", asylum-seekers, and other flotsam and jetsam who wash up on the shores of Europe, especially if they're Muslims (as 95% of them are) because "we all worship the same God" and other heretical rubbish. Not everyone agrees.

One high-ranking dissident who has mustered up the courage to speak out is Robert Cardinal Sarah, a prelate from the African state of Guinea. Raised to the rank of Cardinal in 2010, he was appointed prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments by Pope Francis in November of 2014. He previously served as secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples under Pope John Paul II, and president of the Pontifical Council Cor Unum under Pope Benedict XVI.

Cardinal Sarah has for years been a forceful advocate for the defence of traditional Catholic teaching on questions of sexual morality and the right to life, and in denouncing Islamic radicalism. He has called gender ideology and ISIS the "two radicalizations" that threaten the family, the first through divorce, same-sex marriage, and abortion, and the latter with child marriage, polygamy, and the subjection of women.

This week, in an interview with the French magazine Valeurs Actuelles, Cardinal Sarah branded mass migration a "new form of slavery" and said those who seek to use the Bible to promote migration are pushing a false interpretation of the scriptures. "It is a false exegesis to use the Word of God to promote migration," the prelate said. "If Europe disappears, and with it the invaluable values of the old continent, Islam will invade the world. And we will totally change culture, anthropology, and moral vision."

Without naming Pope Bergoglio, Cardinal Sarah blasted priests and bishops who "say fuzzy things, vague, imprecise, to escape criticism, and they marry the stupid evolution of the world." He went on to say that the Church should not cooperate with the increasing acceptance by politicians of mass migration into the traditionally Christian continent. "All migrants who arrive in Europe are penniless, without work, without dignity.... This is what the Church wants?" he asked. "The Church can not cooperate with this new form of slavery that has become mass migration. If the West continues in this fatal way, there is a great risk that, due to a lack of birth, it will disappear, invaded by foreigners, just as Rome has been invaded by barbarians."

He added one more thought: "My country is predominantly Muslim. I think I know what reality I'm talking about." Indeed.

Further reading: "Cardinal Sarah: 'La défense de l'immigration repose sur une mauvaise interprétation des Évangiles par les prêtres et les évêques'", (in French), in Nouvel Ordre Mondial, 4/4/19. (Nouvel Ordre Mondial = New World Order! If you can read French, I recommend following this blog to keep up with the globalists' plans and plots for One Brave New World.)

No country for queers!

His Royal Highness Hassanal Bolkiah, sultan of the tiny but oil-rich state of Brunei, in southeast Asia, is a good Muslim, very keen to follow as closely as possible the moral code of Islam, the basis of Sharia law. Being the ruler, Sultan Hassanal has not just the will but the power to impose his strict beliefs on his country. And so it comes to pass that new Islamic criminal laws take effect in Brunei today, punishing gay sex and adultery by stoning offenders to death.

The penalties were provided for under new sections of Brunei's Shariah Penal Code, instituted by Sultan Hassanal in 2014 to bolster the influence of Islam in the oil-rich monarchy of around 430,000 people, two-thirds of whom are Muslim. Even before 2014, homosexuality was punishable by a jail term of up to 10 years. The first stage of the Shariah Penal Code included fines or jail for offences such as pregnancy out of wedlock or failing to pray on Fridays. The second stage raises the bar considerably.

Those found guilty of gay sex could be stoned to death or whipped. Adulterers risk death by stoning too, while thieves face amputation of a right hand on their first offence and a left foot on their second. The new laws apply to everyone, including children and foreigners, even if they are kafirs (read: non-Muslims = infidels). So if you're into deviant sex of any kind, or even normal sex outside a marital relationship, you'd do well to take Brunei off your list of the 100 places you want to visit before you die.

The usual gang of non-Muslim celebrities are in full cry against the new laws. Ignoring the fact that the law of Brunei is none of the business of Westerners, the likes of George Clooney, Elton John and (of course) Ellen DeGeneres have been vocal in opposition to the new laws, calling for a boycott of hotels in the USA and Europe with ties to Sultan Hassanal. Mr Clooney asks, "Are we really going to help fund the murder of innocent citizens?" While you can't shame "murderous regimes", he wrote in Deadline Hollywood, "you can shame the banks, the financiers and the institutions that do business with them."

Pro-queer politicos in Germany, France, the UK and (of course) Canada -- even the USA -- expressed "deep concern" about Brunei's new laws. In Brunei itself, there has been no vocal opposition to the new penalties. That could be because the sultan rules as head of state with full executive authority to do whatever he thinks is right. And what he thinks is right is pretty clear. Sultan Hassanal, who has reigned since 1967, has previously said the Penal Code should be regarded as a form of "special guidance" from God and would be "part of the great history of Brunei."

A sad commentary on American arts and entertainment

My grandkids, or the younger ones anyway, were been bugging their parents to see Dumbo, the latest Hollywood remake. My recent illness gave me an excuse not to be part of a family outing, but when they descended on the ole homestead and mentioned that the movie was playing in nearby Fort Mudge, and they thought I needed to get out of the house, I was trapped. Trapped like a rat. So I went. Great modern animation and special effects, kind of a lame, PC (pro animal rights and "inclusivity") version of the original story. Harmless, gormless entertainment.

When I see movies like this and the remake of Alice in Wonderland, well done though they may be, I can't help but wonder if no-one in Hollywood has any new ideas. It seems today that all we see is remakes in movies and remakes on TV. And some of them, extensions of franchises that are well past their best-before dates (Hello Star Wars!) are truly dreadful. Where's the creative talent, the imagination that begat the original movies, which were themselves adapted from stories that some truly talented writers devised a hundred years ago?

This is hardly a new thought. Here's what Brooks Atkinson, one of America's leading drama critics, had to say, nearly seven decades ago.

Something elusive and intangible seems to have drained the vitality out of the theatre and perhaps out of American arts as well. No one knows the reason exactly. But could it be that the spiritual climate in which we are now living smothers art that is really creative, and that the emphasis on public expression of all kinds is toward meekness and conformity? [My emphasis. Walt]

People are playing safe. They hesitate to say what they think. The intellectual and artistic life of the country has been flattened out. ...ignorant heresy-hunting and...bigoted character-assassination are succeeding. The hoodlums are in control here as well as in Russia, and the theatre begins to look as insipid in the one place as in the other.... We cannot expect to have vital art in our theatre if we emulate totalitarian countries and yield the control of cultural life to the Yahoos and hoodlums.

Quoted in William Shirer's Midcentury Journey, 1955. That was well before Mr Atkinson or Mr Shirer had heard the expression "political correctness", but political correctness is what is described in the emphasized words. Political correctness is killing not only political thought but also our collective imagination. We have become a society where original, non-conforming thought is the greatest of all sins. Sad.

Postscript: I can't get over how, the older Danny DeVito gets, the more he looks like me!

VIDEO: The Boss talks about growing up Catholic, before the fall

Michael Matt, editor of the Remnant newspaper, has produced an excellent little video in which The Boss (Bruce Springsteen) talks/sings about what it was like to grow up Catholic in a typical American neighbourhood. Some would say he left the Church. Others, including Mr Matt and Walt, would say the Church left him. In the text on YouTube, Mr Matt writes: This is about the impact of the Revolution of Vatican II, not just on Springsteen but on his entire generation, who watched as the Church in her human element auto-destructed before their eyes. Running time 8:33.



"May God have mercy on all the lost sheep, us included."

Further reading: "The Battle for Rust Belt Catholicism", by Charles F. McElwee. The author points out that, if counted as a denomination, ex-Catholics like Mr Springsteen would make up America's second-largest religious affiliation. His conclusion: "The Catholic Church in America requires an institutional penance, but for penance to arrive, there must first be an acknowledgment of wrongdoing. For years, the Church's leadership has been a reluctant penitent, at best. Instead, it is the faithful who have atoned for the Church, trying, in numerous ways, to maintain (or revive) its sense of community, in the Rust Belt and elsewhere. Whether the bond of trust can be restored is uncertain."