Edward and Mrs Simpson
In the Year of Three Kings
The King Who Had to Go, Adrian Phillips, Biteback Publishing, 2016, isbn 978-1-78590-347-2, reviewed by Monty Skew
Recently revealed letters, hitherto kept secret, have dispelled any lasting illusions about Edward VIII’s short and inglorious reign during 1936. In proportion to its length, perhaps more has been written about him than any other monarch. Books continue to promise the ‘truth about the abdication’. But what more is there to say about this nonentity?
Baldwin, the prime minister, having known him before he ascended the throne, had long had misgivings. Edward was evidently no Prince Hal. In some ways the originator of celebrity culture, he was famous for being famous. Famous for being heir to the throne, then for being an unsuitable King. Then for wanting to marry a socialite divorcee. A less suitable monarch it would be hard to imagine. His exasperated father reminded him to ‘remember who you are’. The Japanese crown prince, on a visit to Buckingham Palace, was decidedly unimpressed by his encounter with the future king.
Concerning Edward’s suspected Nazi sympathies, Churchill was a supporter of the Duke, until Baldwin called him into No 10 and showed him the special branch and other reports. It is not clear if Edward was ever shown them, and there are persistent claims that certain items have not yet surfaced. And of course some things were never committed to print. Although much maligned, Baldwin, in his handling of the abdication crisis, acted for Britain. Continue reading
Kirstjen Nielsen, Leaving Neverland
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen answers questions from reporters
Kirstjen Nielsen, Leaving Neverland
by Ilana Mercer
The New York Times reports that “More than 76,000 migrants crossed the border without authorization in February” this year. March saw 100,000 merry migrants waltz into the U.S., undisturbed. Caravans are getting larger, not smaller. “Newcomers continue to arrive, sometimes by the busload, at the rate of 2,200 a day,” said the same source. Border agents are bracing “to meet the medical needs” of the newcomers. Monthly apprehensions average 32,012.
“Apprehension”: that’s Orwellian newspeak for you. A more accurate description is briefly stopped for a cursory wellness check before being sent on their way. For children are the charm, the magic amulet. Here’s a reenactment of “apprehension”: Customs and Border Protection agent to migrant: “Got kids?”, New arrival at the U.S. southern border, turns to a large, brooding male: “You bet.” “Pepito, say hello to the nice policeman.”American agent: “Pepito is a little hairy for a kid and he’s covered in ink.” Future American citizen from Salvador, with the aid of a translator paid for by the U.S.: “Pepito is mature for his age. It’s the chemicals. They’re killing us. Asylum. Hurry. We’re dying.”Agent sworn to protect Americans: “You’re good to go”, reported the New York Times. Stamps a bit of paper and waves the new Americans by. “Don’t forget to return for your asylum court hearing, amigos.”
Instead of this “apprehension” farce, Kris Kobach, the former Kansas Secretary of State, has highlighted the many tactical strategies that could—still can—be operationalized at the border to halt the treasonous Catch-and-Release policy ongoing. Kobach faults former Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for looking to Congress for a legislative remedy. Continue reading →
Share this:
Like this: