exchemist
Valued Senior Member
Though he won’t get anything like the same reach, presumably. So another nail in the coffin of free media.
On "Cancel Culture"
- Thread starter Tiassa
- Start date
This is somewhat complicated. As far as numbers go, he could conceivably reach more people on the right streaming platform. However, the issue here, I think, is the demographics. The audience for late night network talk shows is largely comprised of older people--over 45 or 50--and these are the people who, largely, do not avail themselves to alternative media sources like podcasts, less mainstream publications, etc. And Colbert offers takes that this older demographic is often not exposed to.
IOW you are correct. I am just clarifying the sense in which "reach" ought to perhaps be conceived here--that is to say, a consideration of specific demographics as opposed to simply the raw numbers.
And apologies for the weird phrasing here: I'm somewhat agitated at the moment over what appears to me, at least, to be someone sweeping allegations of antisemitism under the rug, via willful obfuscation and erasure, elsewhere. This sort of agitation often triggers a particular variety of aphasia in me.
TheVat
Valued Senior Member
Well, everything's a potential coffin nail when it comes to late night broadcasting. CBS was losing $40M/yr on TLS, and more people were watching Colbert in excerpted chunks tossed onto YT or other streams rather than as a late night appointment. In a way, I guess this is CBS admitting that it can't keep a legacy program going. IIRC, another late talk show had to give up their house band to survive - such shows are productions that cost way more than their leaner counterparts on the web. (I haven't had an antenna or cable for decades, so I only knew Colbert et al through clips of his opening monologue on the web, or rare viewings in a motel room). Possibly, a web Colbert with fewer of the rigid guardrails of network tv, could be a happy discovery for younger viewers.
exchemist
Valued Senior Member
Let’s hope. At any rate he intends to carry on, I gather.
The Continuing Adventures of Angry Christians
see also, #297: "Christian Redpill Cancel Culture"↑
News of the faithless:
Yeah, that last kind of did it. Christian "cancel culture" sounded off:
And in its way, it only goes downhill from there—
—but that part gets complicated, requiring some attention to detail. In its way, though, that discussion seems particularly craven and extemporary, but that's less a discussion of cancel culture and more an exploration of psychopathology.
____________________
Notes:
Montgomery, Peter. "Trump-Loving Religious Right Reserves Outrage for TV Show Treating Gay Couple & Kids as a Family". Right Wing Watch. 22 July 2025. PeopleFor.org. 22 July 2025. https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwing...rves-outrage-tv-show-treating-gay-couple-kids
See Also:
Einselen, Sarah. "Died: John MacArthur, Reformed Expositor with Worldwide Reach—and Tainted Legacy". The Roys Report. 14 July 2025. JulieRoys.com. 22 July 2025. https://julieroys.com/died-john-mac...itor-with-worldwide-reach-and-tainted-legacy/
Mouser, Jessica. "Chip and Joanna Gaines Controversy Continues To Prompt a Flood of Responses From Christian Leaders". ChurchLeaders. 21 July 2025. ChurchLeaders.com. 22 July 2025. https://churchleaders.com/news/5152...-controversy-continues-christian-leaders.html
see also, #297: "Christian Redpill Cancel Culture"↑
News of the faithless:
While many Americans are focused on President Donald Trump's desperate efforts to divert attention from evidence of his ties to Jeffrey Epstein, and on the shocking cruelty of ICE abduction and detention operations, religious-right activists have spent more than a week ranting about a different "outrage": the fact that a television reality show treats a same-sex couple and their kids as a family ....
.... Far-right pastors and leaders of religious-right groups have piled on, railing against the show's simple recognition that these two dads and their 10-year-old twins are a family like millions of other American families. As Right Wing Watch reported, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's pastor called the show "evil," "wicked," "demonic," and "a satanic Trojan Horse."
Chip Gaines further angered anti-LGBTQ zealots when he challenged their intolerance, tweeting,
(Montgomery↱)
.... Far-right pastors and leaders of religious-right groups have piled on, railing against the show's simple recognition that these two dads and their 10-year-old twins are a family like millions of other American families. As Right Wing Watch reported, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth's pastor called the show "evil," "wicked," "demonic," and "a satanic Trojan Horse."
Chip Gaines further angered anti-LGBTQ zealots when he challenged their intolerance, tweeting,
Talk, ask qustns, listen.. maybe even learn. Too much to ask of modern American Christian culture. Judge 1st, understand later/never
It's a sad sunday when "non believers" have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian
It's a sad sunday when "non believers" have never been confronted with hate or vitriol until they are introduced to a modern American Christian
(Montgomery↱)
Yeah, that last kind of did it. Christian "cancel culture" sounded off:
Generations, an anti-LGBTQ publisher of homeschooling curricula and promoter of a daily radio show it says is heard on 140 stations, on Monday cited an unnamed source claiming that the Gaineses have "long affirmed perversion." The show, also distributed as an email newsletter, also quoted right-wing activists Matt Walsh and Robby Starbuck, the latter claiming, "Promoting this show means cash is greater than Christianity."
On Monday, the website ChurchLeaders reported on the continuing "flood" of conservative Christians attacking the Gaineses. Among those joining the attack: MAGA musician and activist Sean Feucht called the show "filth"; Christian nationalist William Wolfe, who called the show a "sellout" and "tragic surrender"; anti-LGBTQ activist John Amanchukwu, a fellow at the MAGA Center for Renewing America who travels the country to rant at school board members; former Trump attorney and confessed felon Jenna Ellis, who tweeted, "This homosexual group + purchased children are not a family"; Megan Basham, who pointed a finger at the Gaines' church and pastor; and, of course, Trump apologist Eric Metaxas.
Religious-right podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey—who by the way is a big fan of Trump's anti-immigrant henchman Stephen Miller and denounces "toxic empathy"—devoted a show to slamming the Gaineses for promoting what she called "forced motherlessness" and "functional transgenderism." She called Chip Gaines' response to his critics' judgementalism "left-wing secular slop."
On Monday, the website ChurchLeaders reported on the continuing "flood" of conservative Christians attacking the Gaineses. Among those joining the attack: MAGA musician and activist Sean Feucht called the show "filth"; Christian nationalist William Wolfe, who called the show a "sellout" and "tragic surrender"; anti-LGBTQ activist John Amanchukwu, a fellow at the MAGA Center for Renewing America who travels the country to rant at school board members; former Trump attorney and confessed felon Jenna Ellis, who tweeted, "This homosexual group + purchased children are not a family"; Megan Basham, who pointed a finger at the Gaines' church and pastor; and, of course, Trump apologist Eric Metaxas.
Religious-right podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey—who by the way is a big fan of Trump's anti-immigrant henchman Stephen Miller and denounces "toxic empathy"—devoted a show to slamming the Gaineses for promoting what she called "forced motherlessness" and "functional transgenderism." She called Chip Gaines' response to his critics' judgementalism "left-wing secular slop."
And in its way, it only goes downhill from there—
ChurchLeaders noted that some Gaines critics are comparing the couple unfavorably to the recently deceased influential right-wing pastor John MacArthur, who is being showered with posthumous praise as a champion of conservative values despite his documented record of "protecting abusers while punishing their victims."
—but that part gets complicated, requiring some attention to detail. In its way, though, that discussion seems particularly craven and extemporary, but that's less a discussion of cancel culture and more an exploration of psychopathology.
____________________
Notes:
Montgomery, Peter. "Trump-Loving Religious Right Reserves Outrage for TV Show Treating Gay Couple & Kids as a Family". Right Wing Watch. 22 July 2025. PeopleFor.org. 22 July 2025. https://www.peoplefor.org/rightwing...rves-outrage-tv-show-treating-gay-couple-kids
See Also:
Einselen, Sarah. "Died: John MacArthur, Reformed Expositor with Worldwide Reach—and Tainted Legacy". The Roys Report. 14 July 2025. JulieRoys.com. 22 July 2025. https://julieroys.com/died-john-mac...itor-with-worldwide-reach-and-tainted-legacy/
Mouser, Jessica. "Chip and Joanna Gaines Controversy Continues To Prompt a Flood of Responses From Christian Leaders". ChurchLeaders. 21 July 2025. ChurchLeaders.com. 22 July 2025. https://churchleaders.com/news/5152...-controversy-continues-christian-leaders.html
Wizard of Whatever
Registered Senior Member
The program failed as all do that invest too much for too little return.
davewhite04
Valued Senior Member
I think cancel culture is a double edged sword, like the internet. Some people shouldn't have free speech if they are con artists, haters against anyone different to them etc. cancel them.
I think YouTube does a good job, I mean I was ecstatic when they took down russell brand who just spouted complete nonsense and had 4million subscribers!? He's a pervert.
Cancel Culture: How It's Going
Is it cancel culture when the judge you appointed says you can't censor?
An historical bauble: "The lawsuit was brought by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Sociological Association and Eugene School District 4J in Oregon"; i.e., Once again, Oregon busts on fascists.
____________________
Notes:
Rivas, Yunior. "Federal Court Blocks Trump's Effort to Censor Schools, End Equity Programs". Democracy Docket. 14 August 2025. DemocracyDocket.com. 15 August 2025. https://www.democracydocket.com/new...effort-to-censor-schools-end-equity-programs/
Is it cancel culture when the judge you appointed says you can't censor?
A federal judge in Maryland struck down two nationwide directives issued by the Trump administration, that sought to rewrite civil rights law and censor classrooms in an effort to end diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools.
The orders — issued in February and April by the Department of Education — threatened to withhold federal funding from school districts unless they removed or altered lessons on race, dismantled student support programs serving particular communities and signed certifications swearing compliance with the administration's new interpretation of federal civil rights law.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher, appointed by President Donald Trump, declared the orders unlawful, unconstitutional and void, and permanently blocked their enforcement.
In her decision Thursday, Gallagher found that the rules were so vaguely written that schools could not determine what was prohibited — a violation of the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of due process.
"The government did not merely remind educators that discrimination is illegal. It initiated a sea change in how the Department of Education regulates educational practices and classroom conduct, causing millions of educators to reasonably fear that their lawful, and even beneficial, speech might cause them or their schools to be punished," Gallagher wrote. "The regulation of speech cannot be done casually."
(Rivas↱)
The orders — issued in February and April by the Department of Education — threatened to withhold federal funding from school districts unless they removed or altered lessons on race, dismantled student support programs serving particular communities and signed certifications swearing compliance with the administration's new interpretation of federal civil rights law.
U.S. District Judge Stephanie A. Gallagher, appointed by President Donald Trump, declared the orders unlawful, unconstitutional and void, and permanently blocked their enforcement.
In her decision Thursday, Gallagher found that the rules were so vaguely written that schools could not determine what was prohibited — a violation of the U.S. Constitution's guarantee of due process.
"The government did not merely remind educators that discrimination is illegal. It initiated a sea change in how the Department of Education regulates educational practices and classroom conduct, causing millions of educators to reasonably fear that their lawful, and even beneficial, speech might cause them or their schools to be punished," Gallagher wrote. "The regulation of speech cannot be done casually."
(Rivas↱)
An historical bauble: "The lawsuit was brought by the American Federation of Teachers, the American Sociological Association and Eugene School District 4J in Oregon"; i.e., Once again, Oregon busts on fascists.
____________________
Notes:
Rivas, Yunior. "Federal Court Blocks Trump's Effort to Censor Schools, End Equity Programs". Democracy Docket. 14 August 2025. DemocracyDocket.com. 15 August 2025. https://www.democracydocket.com/new...effort-to-censor-schools-end-equity-programs/
ThazzarBaal
Registered Senior Member
PC thought police United on the move to cancel with a vengeance... I'm a victim, I must admit. Do you hear me? Hello? Hell ....
Oh
By the way, I only agree with about 70% so I'm frucked! And, I operate under standard Luciferian principles , which makes it all the more sense less. Imo
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But Is It Cancel Culture? (#WhatTheyVotedFor)
Australian poet John Kinsella has reportedly been denied entry to the United States, ostensibly for his political views. Per Joyce Carol Oates↱:
In a subsequent post, Oates named Kinsella↱ in response to particular inquiry from an Australian author. At present, this reads like breaking news, seemingly unconfirmed.
What is not breaking news is that such petty authoritarianism is one of the enduring sources↗ of conservative appeal.¹ Compared to manipulating the Little League World Series, the prospect of refusing a peacenik Australian entry to the United States is entirely plausible and believable. We'll have to see how this develops, what other details emerge.
____________________
Notes:
Hinckley, David. "'Love It or Leave It': Resurrecting the Worst of America's Political Legacy". 15 July 2019. Medium.com. 26 August 2025. https://dhinckley.medium.com/love-i...st-of-america-s-political-legacy-9fcf028b0cc4
See Also:
Kinsella, John. "How Does Activist Poetry Cope With Ambiguity?" The Kenyon Review. Jan./Feb. 2018. KenyonReview.org. 26 Augsut 2025. https://kenyonreview.org/kr-online-issue/2018-janfeb/selections/john-kinsella-656342/
Australian poet John Kinsella has reportedly been denied entry to the United States, ostensibly for his political views. Per Joyce Carol Oates↱:
a major Australian poet/writer has been denied a visa to the US to lecture/give readings; probably because he is outspoken politically, a pacifist. but friends are assuring him that he is much better off not stepping on US soil. with his reputation, however low-keyed, he could wind up detained by ICE & kept in custody for weeks.
word must be spreading slowly, that anyone with even the mildest "political" reputation would think of coming to the US under T***p.
word must be spreading slowly, that anyone with even the mildest "political" reputation would think of coming to the US under T***p.
In a subsequent post, Oates named Kinsella↱ in response to particular inquiry from an Australian author. At present, this reads like breaking news, seemingly unconfirmed.
What is not breaking news is that such petty authoritarianism is one of the enduring sources↗ of conservative appeal.¹ Compared to manipulating the Little League World Series, the prospect of refusing a peacenik Australian entry to the United States is entirely plausible and believable. We'll have to see how this develops, what other details emerge.
____________________
Notes:
¹ The phrase, "Love It or Leave It" has long been an American antiliberal slogan of conservative patriots; see David Hinckley↱, six years ago:
「“Love it or leave it,” in 2019 as in 1968, is the call of the playground bully, someone who hopes to win by intimidation and feels confident that the crowd cheering him on is unbothered by the fact that if three of the president's four targets went back to the country where they came from, it would be America.」
Hinckley, David. "'Love It or Leave It': Resurrecting the Worst of America's Political Legacy". 15 July 2019. Medium.com. 26 August 2025. https://dhinckley.medium.com/love-i...st-of-america-s-political-legacy-9fcf028b0cc4
See Also:
Kinsella, John. "How Does Activist Poetry Cope With Ambiguity?" The Kenyon Review. Jan./Feb. 2018. KenyonReview.org. 26 Augsut 2025. https://kenyonreview.org/kr-online-issue/2018-janfeb/selections/john-kinsella-656342/
¡Those Darn Texas Liberals!
Joyce Carol Oates↱ comments on liberal cancel culture in the extreme left paradise otherwise known as Texas:
Oh, wait, you're telling me that was conservatives in a conservative state doing the day-ends-in-y censorship thing conservatives always do?
I thought the whole cancel culture thing was supposed to be some sort of liberal conspiracy, or whatever, but apparently we're still at "theology isn't biology" vs. "nobody gave you permission to speak!" and when those uppity libs keep talking, that forces people to vote for Donald Trump.
Five years ago↑, when someone asked, I replied that cancel culture is largely a canard. This time later, maybe I stand corrected, but the difference between largely and pretty much entirely might someday prove significant. In the end, it's always just what it looked and sounded like, the latest self-righteous defense of bigotry.
Joyce Carol Oates↱ comments on liberal cancel culture in the extreme left paradise otherwise known as Texas:
a visitor at a Texas university reports that new Texas laws forbid instructors discussing gender in any circumstances; even if tenured, professors can be fired for teaching anything to do with LGBTQA+; no books by gay authors can be taught including books by James Baldwin. speaking of "socialism" in the classroom or even at out-of-state conferences is grounds for termination.
yes, but: Hillary had a "cackling laugh" & Kamala "laughed too much."
when I assembled "The Best American Essays of the 20th Century" there was one essayist so outstanding, I might have included several of his essays, & that was James Baldwin. now, I wonder if this anthology would be allowed on Texas university library shelves? would an instructor be fired for teaching it, even if not teaching the Baldwin essay?
under Texas law, instructors can't even discuss "gender" in the classroom? virtually all works of literature deal with "gender" at least obliquely. how are these laws enforced? are reading lists scrutinized by the administration? students encouraged to inform on instructors? how is the great university at Austin weathering this storm of repression?
yes, but: Hillary had a "cackling laugh" & Kamala "laughed too much."
when I assembled "The Best American Essays of the 20th Century" there was one essayist so outstanding, I might have included several of his essays, & that was James Baldwin. now, I wonder if this anthology would be allowed on Texas university library shelves? would an instructor be fired for teaching it, even if not teaching the Baldwin essay?
under Texas law, instructors can't even discuss "gender" in the classroom? virtually all works of literature deal with "gender" at least obliquely. how are these laws enforced? are reading lists scrutinized by the administration? students encouraged to inform on instructors? how is the great university at Austin weathering this storm of repression?
Oh, wait, you're telling me that was conservatives in a conservative state doing the day-ends-in-y censorship thing conservatives always do?
I thought the whole cancel culture thing was supposed to be some sort of liberal conspiracy, or whatever, but apparently we're still at "theology isn't biology" vs. "nobody gave you permission to speak!" and when those uppity libs keep talking, that forces people to vote for Donald Trump.
Five years ago↑, when someone asked, I replied that cancel culture is largely a canard. This time later, maybe I stand corrected, but the difference between largely and pretty much entirely might someday prove significant. In the end, it's always just what it looked and sounded like, the latest self-righteous defense of bigotry.
Damn That Liberal Canc―… Oh: You're Under Arrest Because Conservatives Are Stupid
The latest atrocity in the liberal war against free speech often described as cancel culture has taken another― Wait, what's that? You mean a man has been arrested for posting a meme quoting Donald Trump because conservatives thought he threatened to shoot up a school that doesn't exist after the fact? How does that make any sense?
WTVF↱ tries to explain:
Weems went on to complain that he asked Bushart to take the meme down, but the man declined: "I mean, what kind of person does that? What kind of person just says he don't care?"
The sheriff explained, "In my heart, I think Larry Bushart knew what he was doing once we made contact with him or when law enforcement made contact with him," and thus somehow broke the law post facto.
Phil Williams' story for NewsChannel 5 Investgates posted on Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon, he was able to report↱ that charges against Larry Bushart have been dropped.
Yeah, those damn liberals, eh? Always tryin' to shut down discussion by arresting people for posting memes that quote conservative politicians.
____________________
Notes:
Williams, Phil. "A Tenn. sheriff claimed Larry Bushart refused to take down a meme after being told it was causing fear of school shooting but police video shows there was never any discussion of a school". News Channel 5 Investigates. 29 October 2025. NewsChannel5.com. 29 October 2025. https://www.newschannel5.com/news/n...rrest-of-tennessee-man-for-posting-trump-meme
—————. "Tennessee sheriff defends jailing liberal activist for posting Trump meme about school shooting". News Channel 5 Investigates. 28 October 2025. NewsChannel5.com. 28 October 2025. https://www.newschannel5.com/news/n...-for-posting-trump-meme-about-school-shooting
The latest atrocity in the liberal war against free speech often described as cancel culture has taken another― Wait, what's that? You mean a man has been arrested for posting a meme quoting Donald Trump because conservatives thought he threatened to shoot up a school that doesn't exist after the fact? How does that make any sense?
WTVF↱ tries to explain:
A Middle Tennessee sheriff is defending the arrest of a man who posted an online meme quoting President Donald Trump.
Larry Bushart, 61, of Lexington, Tenn., faces felony charges for threatening a mass shooting at Perry County High School – even though Sheriff Nick Weems admits the meme does not actually contain any threatening words that led investigators to think it was a real threat.
The case, Weems said, hinges on how some people in Perry County may have interpreted the meme that noted Trump's response to a school shooting in Perry, Iowa. Bushart has sat in jail for more than a month, unable to make the $2 million bond set by a local judge.
"This has everything to do with a guy coming onto a Perry County page posting this picture leading people in our community to believe that there was a hypothetical Perry County High School shooting that caused fear in our community – and we done something about it," Sheriff Weems said in an exclusive interview with NewsChannel 5 Investigates ....
.... The meme that landed Bushart in jail – part of a discussion about Charlie Kirk's murder – included the quote from President Donald Trump that "we have to get over it" and noted that Trump made that remark "on the Perry High School mass shooting one day after."
Two people were killed and six injured during the shooting in Perry, Iowa, back in January.
The meme includes the caption, "This seems relevant today."
Sheriff Weems said some in his community took the reference in the Trump meme to "Perry High School" to be a suggestion that he planned to shoot up Perry County High School, which had recently had to deal with a threat from a student.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates noted, "It doesn't say Perry County High School."
"It says 'Perry High School mass shooting one day after,' ok? That led people to believe in our county that he's talking about Perry County High School – because it doesn't say 'Iowa' either."
We pressed the sheriff, "But you also knew this was an existing meme that was already out there on the Internet."
"Correct," Weems agreed.
Again, we noted, "So it's clear that he's not talking about Perry County High School."
"We knew," the sheriff said. "The public did not know."
Larry Bushart, 61, of Lexington, Tenn., faces felony charges for threatening a mass shooting at Perry County High School – even though Sheriff Nick Weems admits the meme does not actually contain any threatening words that led investigators to think it was a real threat.
The case, Weems said, hinges on how some people in Perry County may have interpreted the meme that noted Trump's response to a school shooting in Perry, Iowa. Bushart has sat in jail for more than a month, unable to make the $2 million bond set by a local judge.
"This has everything to do with a guy coming onto a Perry County page posting this picture leading people in our community to believe that there was a hypothetical Perry County High School shooting that caused fear in our community – and we done something about it," Sheriff Weems said in an exclusive interview with NewsChannel 5 Investigates ....
.... The meme that landed Bushart in jail – part of a discussion about Charlie Kirk's murder – included the quote from President Donald Trump that "we have to get over it" and noted that Trump made that remark "on the Perry High School mass shooting one day after."
Two people were killed and six injured during the shooting in Perry, Iowa, back in January.
The meme includes the caption, "This seems relevant today."
Sheriff Weems said some in his community took the reference in the Trump meme to "Perry High School" to be a suggestion that he planned to shoot up Perry County High School, which had recently had to deal with a threat from a student.
NewsChannel 5 Investigates noted, "It doesn't say Perry County High School."
"It says 'Perry High School mass shooting one day after,' ok? That led people to believe in our county that he's talking about Perry County High School – because it doesn't say 'Iowa' either."
We pressed the sheriff, "But you also knew this was an existing meme that was already out there on the Internet."
"Correct," Weems agreed.
Again, we noted, "So it's clear that he's not talking about Perry County High School."
"We knew," the sheriff said. "The public did not know."
Weems went on to complain that he asked Bushart to take the meme down, but the man declined: "I mean, what kind of person does that? What kind of person just says he don't care?"
The sheriff explained, "In my heart, I think Larry Bushart knew what he was doing once we made contact with him or when law enforcement made contact with him," and thus somehow broke the law post facto.
†
Phil Williams' story for NewsChannel 5 Investgates posted on Tuesday. On Wednesday afternoon, he was able to report↱ that charges against Larry Bushart have been dropped.
Yeah, those damn liberals, eh? Always tryin' to shut down discussion by arresting people for posting memes that quote conservative politicians.
____________________
Notes:
Williams, Phil. "A Tenn. sheriff claimed Larry Bushart refused to take down a meme after being told it was causing fear of school shooting but police video shows there was never any discussion of a school". News Channel 5 Investigates. 29 October 2025. NewsChannel5.com. 29 October 2025. https://www.newschannel5.com/news/n...rrest-of-tennessee-man-for-posting-trump-meme
—————. "Tennessee sheriff defends jailing liberal activist for posting Trump meme about school shooting". News Channel 5 Investigates. 28 October 2025. NewsChannel5.com. 28 October 2025. https://www.newschannel5.com/news/n...-for-posting-trump-meme-about-school-shooting
CBS News & Dog Phrenology
So, we're back to phrenology, except he doesn't believe in phrenology except when he does.
And that's the Bari Weiss update. Self-cancellation has led her to extraordinary heights; indeed, not cancelled at all.
So, we're back to phrenology, except he doesn't believe in phrenology except when he does.
And that's the Bari Weiss update. Self-cancellation has led her to extraordinary heights; indeed, not cancelled at all.
But Is It "Cancel Culture"?
Something strikes in South Australia: The right-wing Liberal Party is abandoning its candidate, Carston Woodhouse, ahead of next week's election. Hemant Mehta↱ tries to fill in the detail:
Mehta goes on to comment that such extremism "feels downright mild when considering the Republican Party these days, but it's still considered extreme in large swaths of Australia". Labor spox Blair Boyer said, "These aren't mild views", and accused, "Either this is the views of the Liberal Party now … or they didn't vet him."
Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn tried to split the difference; per Mehta, "she initially acted like it was no big deal. She didn't personally agree with them, she insisted, but people are allowed to believe what they want." And while it's "not something that sits well" with Hurn, "He's allowed to have his views", and, moreover, she would "not stop someone from having an opinion". And, given the looming election date, Hurn said Woodhouse would remain the candidate.
That changed quickly, and by Thursday, Woodhouse was out. And while his candidate page from the Party website is gone, he remains on the payroll.
But is it "cancel culture"? After all, the most part of lamentation against cancel culture worries about actual liberals. The great Australian misnomer is a conservative party; this would, as such, be an example of right-on-right cancel culture.
To the other, compared to a more liberal take on the idea of cancel culture, the abandonment of Woodhouse looks more like a calculated business decision; perhaps the only thing about it that is surprising is the difference between thresholds; Mehta is not wrong that the rhetoric feels mild compared to the Republican Party in the United States. Toss a coin: Heads, Australians have higher standards; tails, don't worry, Aussie rightists, your politicians will catch up soon.
____________________
Notes:
Mehta, Hemant. "South Australia political party dumps Christian candidate over anti-gay, anti-feminist rants". Friendly Atheist. 14 March 2026. FriendlyAtheist.com. 14 March 2026. https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/south-australia-political-party-dumps
Something strikes in South Australia: The right-wing Liberal Party is abandoning its candidate, Carston Woodhouse, ahead of next week's election. Hemant Mehta↱ tries to fill in the detail:
I guess the party didn't do much vetting of this guy because Woodhouse is also a conservative Christian zealot who's done several interviews with the far-right religious ministry ElijahFire. And in two of those interviews—on July 13, 2023 alongside his wife Mandy Woodhouse and on February 7, 2025 by himself—he said a number of batshit crazy things ....
.... There was the story about how he witnessed witches melting at a church service ....
.... It got far more disturbing, though, when Woodhouse spoke about gay people and insisted same-sex marriage wasn't "real" ....
.... That whole interview was actually focused on the subject of abortion, and Woodhouse said he opposed it in all cases, including situations involving rape and incest—putting him well on the fringes of public opinion.
In the other interview, he said even more about homosexuality, claiming that accepting it opened up "demonic realms." Feminism, he added, was also "demonic."
.... There was the story about how he witnessed witches melting at a church service ....
.... It got far more disturbing, though, when Woodhouse spoke about gay people and insisted same-sex marriage wasn't "real" ....
.... That whole interview was actually focused on the subject of abortion, and Woodhouse said he opposed it in all cases, including situations involving rape and incest—putting him well on the fringes of public opinion.
In the other interview, he said even more about homosexuality, claiming that accepting it opened up "demonic realms." Feminism, he added, was also "demonic."
Mehta goes on to comment that such extremism "feels downright mild when considering the Republican Party these days, but it's still considered extreme in large swaths of Australia". Labor spox Blair Boyer said, "These aren't mild views", and accused, "Either this is the views of the Liberal Party now … or they didn't vet him."
Opposition Leader Ashton Hurn tried to split the difference; per Mehta, "she initially acted like it was no big deal. She didn't personally agree with them, she insisted, but people are allowed to believe what they want." And while it's "not something that sits well" with Hurn, "He's allowed to have his views", and, moreover, she would "not stop someone from having an opinion". And, given the looming election date, Hurn said Woodhouse would remain the candidate.
That changed quickly, and by Thursday, Woodhouse was out. And while his candidate page from the Party website is gone, he remains on the payroll.
Think about what this all means: Hurn's first instinct was to tolerate Woodhouse's bigotry until it became politically inconvenient. Why would anyone trust a party that embraces that sort of failure of moral judgment? The fact that they're not firing him still sends the unmistakable message that the problem was never his beliefs, only the bad press they generated before an election.
I gotta say: I'm jealous. It's good to see a political party thoroughly shamed for endorsing a man with such despicable views regardless of the fact that they stem from his Christian faith. Religion isn't a virtue and it's long past time we allow someone to use the shield of faith as cover for his outright bigotry and cruelty.
This is how politics should work. People whose views are completely outside the mainstream shouldn't be viable in any election, and when a party hides those views from the voters, they should be shamed and punished for it. It's wonderful that Woodhouse wasn't rewarded for extremism, like he would be in the U.S. He was exposed, challenged, and ultimately cast aside.
I gotta say: I'm jealous. It's good to see a political party thoroughly shamed for endorsing a man with such despicable views regardless of the fact that they stem from his Christian faith. Religion isn't a virtue and it's long past time we allow someone to use the shield of faith as cover for his outright bigotry and cruelty.
This is how politics should work. People whose views are completely outside the mainstream shouldn't be viable in any election, and when a party hides those views from the voters, they should be shamed and punished for it. It's wonderful that Woodhouse wasn't rewarded for extremism, like he would be in the U.S. He was exposed, challenged, and ultimately cast aside.
But is it "cancel culture"? After all, the most part of lamentation against cancel culture worries about actual liberals. The great Australian misnomer is a conservative party; this would, as such, be an example of right-on-right cancel culture.
To the other, compared to a more liberal take on the idea of cancel culture, the abandonment of Woodhouse looks more like a calculated business decision; perhaps the only thing about it that is surprising is the difference between thresholds; Mehta is not wrong that the rhetoric feels mild compared to the Republican Party in the United States. Toss a coin: Heads, Australians have higher standards; tails, don't worry, Aussie rightists, your politicians will catch up soon.
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Notes:
Mehta, Hemant. "South Australia political party dumps Christian candidate over anti-gay, anti-feminist rants". Friendly Atheist. 14 March 2026. FriendlyAtheist.com. 14 March 2026. https://www.friendlyatheist.com/p/south-australia-political-party-dumps
TheVat
Valued Senior Member
The abandonment of Woodhouse sounds like a political machine working like it's supposed to work, i.e. vet all competitors and select a strong candidate voters would vote for in a general election. Being a kooky zealot doesn't cancel you, it just means you get a podcast and/or a YouTube channel instead of a government office. I'd like to think Oz has higher standards (your "heads" choice). We get sociopathic real estate guys who bring in Dominionists and neo-Nazis and misc whackos on their coattails.
"These aren't mild views." Heh!
"These aren't mild views." Heh!