Olde Posts Addenda (2)

   In these 'addenda' you will find additional information to add to the substantial amount I have already provided, much of which can be euphemistically classified as "arcane." For example, in the first post in the addenda category, I let you know that they were still carving sculptures out of butter at the Minnesota State Fair, and that women still don't have to pump gas in New Jersey (intrigued, click here.) 

Miscegenation And The WHITE House
   You learned in Factlet (9) that former President Jimmy Carter and the Black former president of Motown Records, Berry Gordy Jr. are second cousins. A genealogical  chart was provided and here is another. In this one, you will learn that the Black Holman family is related to the White Bush one.

Although African Americans have a difficult time finding genealogical records and making connections because of a lack of records, Charles Holman was able to learn that members of his family were enslaved by some in the Bush clan. You can learn more from this article: " A Stunning Find In His Family Tree: The Bushes' Ancestors Enslaved His Relatives," 
Tara Bahrampour, Washington Post, July 13, 2024.
"The lineage of one of America’s most accomplished political dynasties dates back to colonial times and includes some well-known enslavers. The most notorious stories center on Thomas Walker, George H.W. Bush’s third-great-grandfather, who was associated with at least 11 slaving voyages to West Africa, according to various news reports."

Matchbook Memorabilia

   The subject of "matchbooks" was discussed under the title, "Match Making" which was clearly concocted to attract readers who would likely be much more interested in making matches than striking them. It had to do with those colourful items found in large glass containers in my sister's sun room. Apart from the images of matchbook covers in that post, there were also some of lighters. Remember Zippos?
    Their value as decorative objects may be less than their worth as memorabilia, a point made in this article: "Grab a Matchbook From Your Favorite Spot and Thank Me Later: Collecting These Small Keepsakes Can Help You Keep the Places You Love Alive," Britta Locking, New York Times, June 18, 2024.
"When the legendary Jazz Standard club closed, in late 2020, I mourned the loss of yet another New York cultural institution…There is one place, though, where the Standard lives on: my matchbook collection . On the front there’s a burnt orange, Rothko-style square lurking behind the words “JAZZ STANDARD....” As my relationship to the city changed, so did the way I thought about the matchbooks: They became a way to document what may one day disappear. Without them, the particulars of place are no longer something I can hold onto, abandoned to our culture of screens and digital memory. With their slogans, doodles, aphorisms and inside jokes, matchbooks are objects of beauty that evoke an establishment’s singular character. Looking at one can trigger the din of a specific night out or a snippet of conversation, even the hours spent alone….. People once took care to create these tiny  representations of what a place means in the patchwork of city life."
  

   During our highly politicized times, I purposely ignored the political covers, but will remind you of them. I will also remind you of the reason why you pay more for access to the NYT, than to MM, and that is because you learn the answer to such important questions as: "What do you call a collector of matchbooks?" A phillumenist. For proof, see the Wikipedia entry for "Phillumeny."

Simply Epochal
   Back in early 2021 I told you about "The Epoch Times" which had been plopped on your porch. The good news is that the Epoch people are now working on productions soon to be seen in cinemas near you:
"Epoch Times, the Conspiratorial Pro-Trump Outlet Enters a New Market: Faith-Based Movies,"Erik Ortiz and Daniel Arkin, NBC News, July 6, 2024.

"In recent years, The Epoch Times has amassed a large audience as a publisher of right-wing news articles and peddler of baseless election conspiracies. This summer, the conservative media company is hoping to conquer new territory: Hollywood.

Epoch Studios, a branch of the wider Epoch Times Association, plans to release “The Firing Squad,” a drama starring Kevin Sorbo and Cuba Gooding Jr. as drug smugglers who find God behind bars.

“The Firing Squad” marks Epoch’s entry into the growing market of faith-based cinema, a genre that includes recent box-office successes such as “Sound of Freedom,” “Unsung Hero” and “Jesus Revolution.” The film’s Aug. 2 theatrical debut comes as other right-wing media companies are pushing into entertainment, releasing content that counters what conservatives view as Hollywood’s progressive and secular agenda."
   Well, I suppose that does not constitute "good news" for many of us, but the bad news related to The Epoch Times is this:
"Money Laundering Charges Raise Questions About the Direction of The Epoch Times," Jude Joffe-Block, NPR, June 15, 2024.

"The Epoch Times began as an anti-Chinese Communist Party newspaper founded by Chinese dissidents and later morphed into a global conservative multimedia company championing former President Donald Trump and conspiracy theories, claiming an audience of millions.

Now it is in turmoil.

Its chief financial officer, Weidong Guan, was arrested earlier this month for allegedly engaging in a multi-year money laundering scheme that federal prosecutors say helped drive the company’s skyrocketing growth in revenue in recent years. Days after the CFO’s arrest, the founder and CEO resigned and an interim management team is now running the media organization."
   Perhaps that is not such "bad news."

Muddled Thinking

Conspiracies Everywhere    

   Recently a friend remarked that many of those who live in a country close by apparently believe some rather bizarre things. I replied that I had just read a piece which indicated that a significant number of Canadians also hold views that can be characterized as 'strange.' Given that I read quickly and recall little, I was unable to come up with the number, or provide a 'strange' example and couldn't even remember in which publication the information could be found. So I went searching for the source. Here it is:

   The data indicating that even Canadians succumb to conspiracy theories are provided by ABACUS DATA. They are worth recording below and I hope the folks at ABACUS don't mind.

"Millions Believe in Conspiracy Theories in Canada," By Bruce Anderson & David Coletto, June 12, 2022

"We recently completed nationwide surveying among 1500 Canadians.  The focus was on the levels of trust people have in institutional sources of information, and belief in conspiracy theories.  This is the second in a series called “Trust & Facts: What Canadians Believe”
• 44% (the equivalent of 13 million adults) believe “big events like wars, recessions and the outcomes of elections are controlled by small groups of people working in secret against us”. Almost as many agree “much of our lives are being controlled by plots hatched in secret places.
• 37% (or 11 million) think “there is a group of people in this country who are trying to replace native born Canadians with immigrants who agree with their political views. This is an articulation of what is commonly referred to as replacement theory.
• 20% believe it is definitely or probably true that “the World Economic Forum is a group of global elites with a secretive strategy to impose their ideas on the world.” Another 37% think it is possibly true or aren’t sure either way.
• 13% think it is definitely or probably true that Microsoft founder Bill Gates is using microchips to track people and affect human behaviour. Another 21% say it’s possible, or aren’t really sure.
Summary:
Canadians who want to believe that Canadian society is relatively unaffected by conspiracy thinking will find little comfort in these results. Millions believe that our lives are controlled by secret plots to undermine our interests…..
Perhaps the most disconcerting thing in these numbers is the fact that mistrust of institutional accounts isn’t simply neutral skepticism – it is often accompanied by a willingness to believe dangerous contrarian theories. This threatens to undermine the ability of political parties, businesses, civil society groups, and governments to help build consensus and make progress together."

   One can argue that pollsters have often been wrong of late, or that perhaps they are part of a conspiracy. Or perhaps you do not find the percentages 'significant' and think them not "disconcerting." After all, a larger number of Canadians do not believe that Bill Gates is implanting microchips.

   

The Epoch Times
   Although the number of odd notions seems to be increasing, the number of newspapers available to assess them is decreasing. This may be a good example of an "inverse relationship." The need now for reliable sources brings me to The Epoch Times, which I am sure cannot be characterized as such. 
   Back at the beginning of 2021, I received a printed copy of The Epoch Times in my mailbox, as did many Canadians. I told you all about it in my post, The Epoch Times. At the beginning of June I began receiving copies of The Epoch Times in my inbox and I collected them over a few weeks. There were lots. I thought I would offer another assessment, but have changed my mind. I did enough work on the original one. Although Mr. Tang, the founder, says this, I don't agree: "As a media dedicated to truth, we pledged to report the news factually, honestly, and completely, without a political agenda." I do agree when he notes that,  "The Epoch Times was born with the purpose of telling the world about the destructiveness of socialism and communism, and specifically, to expose the disinformation and human rights violations of the Chinese Communist Party and how it works to infiltrate other countries." It also becomes clear as one reads The Epoch Times that vaccine mandates are an example of totalitarian oppression.  In closing, I will say that when I checked "unsubscribe", my request was granted and I was not continually badgered as I am by some other publications.

Beware the "Pink Slime"
   As local news outlets have closed, "pink slime" publications have slithered into many areas and neighbourhoods pretending to be produced within the communities in which they appear. The information provided is then more likely to be accepted and the information is very likely to have a very conservative bent.  In our area, if a newspaper suddenly appears bearing the title of The Masonville Times or The Wortley News, be suspicious. 

Sources: 

   The image above is found in: "Trump, QAnon and an Impending Judgement Day: Behind the Facebook-fueled Rise of The Epoch Times," Brandy Zadrozny and Ben Collins, NBC News, Aug. 20, 2019. Some of The Epoch Times emails I received, addressed such attacks from the 'mainstream" media. 

   There is now a Wikipedia entry for, "Pink-Slime Journalism."  For an original account about "pink slime" see: Hundreds of ‘pink slime’ Local News Outlets are Distributing Algorithmic Stories and Conservative Talking Points,"  Priyanjana Bengani, Columbia Journalism Review, Dec. 18, 2019.

"An increasingly popular tactic challenges conventional wisdom on the spread of electoral disinformation: the creation of partisan outlets masquerading as local news organizations. An investigation by the Tow Center for Digital Journalism at Columbia Journalism School has discovered at least 450 websites in a network of local and business news organizations, each distributing thousands of algorithmically generated articles and a smaller number of reported stories. Of the 450 sites we discovered, at least 189 were set up as local news networks across ten states within the last twelve months by an organization called Metric Media."

The Bonus: 

   It does not help when famous people, who should know better, help spread vaccine misinformation: "The Anti-Vaccine Movement's New Frontier: A Wave of Parents Have Been Radicalized by Covid-era Misinformation to Reject Ordinary Childhood Immunizations - With Potentially Lethal Consequences," Moises Velasquez-Manoff, NYT, May 31, 2022. 

THE EPOCH TIMES

   These are indeed epoch times and many believe we are approaching the 'end time'.  We may be, but I will still take the time to review for you The Epoch Times which is also the name of a newspaper. It landed in the mailboxes here in the Wortley Village area of London and I gather its thud has been heard on porches around the country. It came to us free, but it is subscribed to by millions in over thirty countries. 

   I was glad to receive a print newspaper which is an almost extinct commodity. (As an aside for younger readers, newspapers used to be delivered twice daily by boys on bicycles - the same newspaper, in a morning and evening edition.) You also were probably happy and glad for a free diversion and, like most readers of newspapers, likely skipped to the "Mind & Body"section where you were greeted by this article: "A Loving Nudge Toward Healthier Habits." The last article in that section is a full page one,"Treat Her Like a Lady: Let's Bring Back Chivalry." There is even a crossword puzzle.

   In the news section you learn that "Snowbirds Lament Border Restrictions Derailing Annual Trek South" and that the "CFL Faces Challenges in Efforts to Stage Comeback." There is also an article suggesting that "Teachers Need to Speak Out" to improve our educational system. The fellow who wrote it is a high school teacher and "a senior fellow with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy." He is also the Deputy Mayor of Steinbach (I checked.) There are articles written by those whose names you will recognize, John Robson and Conrad Black, and another by a name you may recognize, Bruce Pardy, a law professor at Queen's. (He is, I checked. And, a warning: if your partner checks they are likely to subscribe, based on his picture alone. He is not a member of the unattractive cohort -although that may make him less attractive if you are a promoter of the disadvantaged.)

   By this time you may want to know more about the subscription information which reveals that "The Epoch Times was founded in 2000 as an independent newspaper with the goal of restoring accuracy and integrity in media." Under the the title on the front page are the words "Truth and Tradition." There is also a full page letter to readers found under the title "Read What Others Won't Report."

Should You Subscribe?

   Some of you may already have, based upon the information I provided above. I did not mention, however, that many of the articles have 'China' or 'Chinese' in the title: "Canadian Pension Money Keeps Pouring Into China as Risk Escalates" and "The Ties Between Canada's Elite and Powerful and the Chinese Regime." The Epoch Times is opposed to the current Chinese government. That is not a bad thing, given that that government has been holding our "Two Michaels" hostage for many months. It is also opposed to communism in general and perceives that it is a threat everywhere as the title of the article by the handsome Queen's prof. suggests: "The Cold War Continues, This Time Within Our Borders." The Epoch Times is not opposed to everything and is very supportive of still President Trump. 

   It is unfair to raise a question without answering it, so I will conclude by suggesting that you should subscribe if you are conservative and anti-communist and one of the many Canadians who is secretly supportive of the still President Trump. 

The Canadian Reaction

   I was curious about how our compatriots reacted to the reception of The Epoch Times and here are a couple of examples.  This one comes from out west where one finds in the Vanderhoof News this letter from someone who is not a fan of The Epoch Times:

LETTER: "Brainwashing comes to Canada and Nelson"

From reader: Mary Nishio

I was distressed to learn that my sister (73) was traveling to Washington, D.C. to participate in the pro-Trump a.k.a anti-Biden presidential confirmation demonstrations. She has feasted on a steady diet of one news source and has denied the truth of all other news media. Her source of information is The Epoch Times. This news source has distorted her view of the world so that she puts her life in danger due to COVID-19 and protest violence.

   I found other articles which also were anti-Epoch, some suggesting it not be allowed and others chastising our Posties for delivering it, to wit:

 OPINION: "Why Censoring Misinformation is a Bad Idea: The Epoch Times may be bad journalism but Luckily it is Allowed to Exist in Our Country," Paul Henderson, Jan. 8, 2021 Peninsula News Review

It has raised eyebrows here in Chilliwack with some residents posting online, some have asked me directly, about why copies of the newspaper are being delivered.

I asked Canada Post about the corporation’s policy on what they will or, more importantly, what they will not deliver. Media relations spokesperson Phil Legault said they always listen to complaints from customers or employees about controversial mailings. But: “As Canada’s postal administration, Canada Post is obligated to deliver any mail that is properly prepared and paid for, unless it is considered non-mailable matter. The Courts have told Canada Post that its role is not to act as the censor of mail or to determine the extent of freedom of expression in Canada. This is an important distinction between Canada Post and private sector delivery companies.

I agree with that stance and did not mind receiving The Epoch Times and have not attacked those who deliver The Watchtower. 

Speaking of The Watchtower

   The Epoch Times, like The Watchtower, is not without religious connections. It was founded at the beginning of this century (so far an epoch one indeed) by John Tang who was living in Georgia at the time and a follower of Falun Gong. The founder of that religion is the living messiah Li Hongzhi who is living next door in New York state. 

Sources: 

   The Wikipedia entries for both the paper and Falun Gong will do for most people, unless you are like me and are seeking more free diversions. If so read this:

"Epoch Times Revenue Soared on Trump Conspiracies," Lachlan Markay, Jan 12, 2021, Nieman Journalism Lab.

"The publisher of The Epoch Times, a stridently pro-Trump publication with a flair for conspiracy theories and links to Chinese dissidents, nearly quadrupled its revenue during the first three years of the administration.

Why it matters: The nonprofit Epoch Times Association’s 2019 revenue of $15.5 million, up from $3.9 million in 2016, shows how lucrative news coverage catering to the president's most fervent supporters could be — and will likely remain even after he leaves office.

Founded in 2000, The Epoch Times has ties to members of the Falun Gong, a Chinese religious movement that's been persecuted by the country’s ruling Communist Party.

In its annual tax filings with the IRS, the Epoch Times Association says its “purposes are inspired by the founders’ personal experiences in Communist China and their efforts to bring honest, uncensored news despite oppression and violence.”

The big picture: The Epoch Times has doggedly written stories indulging some of the most popular conspiracy theories floated by President Trump and his most ardent supporters."

The Bonus:

The Jehovah's Witnesses people haven't been to our door in quite a while. If that is true for you as well and you are missing The Watchtower, just click on that link and read it online. 

Okay. That is a joke. I want you to keep reading "The Bonus" section so here is the real bonus:

If you have subscribed to The Epoch Times and are seeking yet another conservative, religious-backed newspaper see this one which was founded by Sun Myung Moon and is strategically located in Washington, D.C.: The Washington Times - it contains "Reliable Reporting" and "The Right Opinion."