Premium: Happily South Africa closer to Sweden, not blundering Australia

A couple months back, many of the 235 members in the BizNews Premium Interactive group on WhatsApp took umbrage to the Covid-related postings by a few of the members. Peace only came after a separate Covid Interactive group was created. Its 80 members are lively participants, a couple providing regular posts illustrating the excessive force applied by Australian authorities..Having watched many videos of Canberra Craziness, I was excited to see the latest Jordan Peterson podcast where he engages with Australia's sensible and universally respected former deputy PM, John Anderson. After having read them previously, I'm almost through my second run at Peterson's ground-breaking books. The Aussie is also a great communicator, with his own wildly popular podcasts..___STEADY_PAYWALL___.Much was expected. They delivered. And then some. I won't spoil it for you, so simply recommend you invest an hour or so to listen in. At the very least, it will help you appreciate what happens when society enables politicians to exercise absolute authority. And the serious fault lines that develop when elites block debate on issues affecting our daily lives – something far too evident in our Covid-obsessed world..Reflecting on the discussion begs the question of whether any rational mind would choose Australia's rule-by-force approach over Sweden's successful we-trust-you stance. Whether due to practical realities, its "hardegat" populace or a realisation that Wokeness is waning, SA's approach appears to have leaned towards the correct side of that spectrum. Thankfully..More for you today (click on linked headline to access) –.* RW Johnson: What if there had been no South Africa? Another brilliant contribution by the former Oxford Don in part two of a trilogy. He combines known historical events and likely consequences for the four independent SA states had Jan Smuts not convinced the Cape to join the Union..* Clear the Whiteboard – Jesse Lingard on his redemption. A superbly written mini-bio by Manchester United's superstar on how he lost his way and regained it because of his brother Lou and West Ham United..* Will America come to Taiwan's defence? WSJ's Politics and Ideas columnist William Galston explains why a once unthinkable successful invasion by China of the island state "has become possible, perhaps even likely.".NB FOR YOUR WALL STREET JOURNAL ACCESS….As a Premium subscriber you are entitled to full membership of wsj.com (normal price $29 a month). Be sure to action your access through the Premium link on the BizNews website. Because of The Wall Street Journal's credential requirements, be sure to create a password which has at least 8 characters and includes at least one letter and one number – NB it MAY NOT contain any special characters (ie #, !, @ etc). To maintain access to WSJ.com, you MUST enter our partner's website via BizNews Premium at least once a month. A final PS, if you had previously signed up for WSJ you'll need to clear the cookies from your device. Our help desk can assist – support@biznews.com.If you'd like to help sustain our independent voice, why not share the love by making a gift that keeps giving? Click here to access the BizNews Premium subscription signup form, and be sure tick the relevant box. At R100 a month and inclusive of full membership of The Wall Street Journal, it's a mind-expanding gift at an incredibly modest price.

Premium: Happily South Africa closer to Sweden, not blundering Australia

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