Global

In what passes for “political discourse” in our benighted country, some contend there were “benefits” to slavery, from the antebellum South’s plantations to Nazi concentration camps. How to convince these apologists for slavery – from the crafty crafters of Florida’s school curriculum and its “woke” addled governor, to Fox “News’” smug smarmy smirking chimp Greg Gutless – otherwise? Here are two suggestions:

The first is to subject them to forms of modern-day slavery, which BTW didn’t end with Lincoln’s 1863 Emancipation Proclamation. According to https://www.voices4freedom.org/: “At this present moment, there are more people suffering under slavery than at any other time in history. The Global Slavery Index (GSI) estimates that more than 50 million people are currently trapped in modern day slavery.”

In a recent speech, China's highest-ranking diplomat, Wang Yi, spoke of a 'united Asia' and its need to develop a “strategic autonomy”.

 In principle, Wang was not wrong; after all, a stable and prosperous Asia would benefit the peoples of the region and would deny Western meddlers the chance to exploit historical fault lines and sow the seeds of political division.

 Wang's language, although from the outside may seem simple and straightforward, is quite loaded with meaning. “No matter how blonde you dye your hair, how sharp you shape your nose, you can never become a European or American, you can never become a Westerner,” Wang said, as cited in Chinese state media.

 In fact, common culture, beliefs and origins have historically served as starting points of regional cohesion, unity, and collective identity.

BANGKOK, Thailand -- Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen, who won reelection on July 23, announced on July 26 he would install his West Point-trained son next month as the country's leader and resign after monopolizing politics, jailing rivals, and silencing free speech during his 38 years in power.

“I will leave, and not hold the prime minister’s office anymore starting from August 22, 2023,” Mr. Hun Sen, 70, announced in a televised broadcast.

“If I continue to be prime minister for one or two years, and then resign from the position, the situation will become unstable, so it is necessary to have a new cabinet, most of whom are young people responding to their duty for the future,” Mr. Hun Sen said.

His long-time colleagues including Defense Minister Tea Banh, Interior Minister Sar Kheng, National Assembly President Heng Samrin, and Minister of National Assembly Men Sam On, are slated to also resign.

They would be named the king's supreme advisors.

“A 4-year-old girl passed out in 100-degree heat after she was pushed back toward Mexico by Texas National Guard personnel. A pregnant woman became trapped in razor wire and had a miscarriage. A state trooper said he was under orders not to give migrants any water.”

Yes, these are scenes from something called “Operation Lone Star,” but the director isn’t John Ford; it’s Texas Gov. Greg Abbott — and this is real life, as reported by USA Today.