So, British MPs have voted against making a national inquiry into grooming gangs, in a 364-111 vote.
Man, when the “ruling class” of public servants don’t want something discussed, they really let us know about it. Big shots in England, who have no problem discussing American issues of governance, and even were fine with some of their citizens coming over the pond to campaign during our last election, are really, really annoyed that Americans are beginning to talk about the “grooming gangs” (read rapist gangs) who have operated in Rotherham and elsewhere who have been doing their thing for years, and with seeming impunity.
They’re really very annoyed about the American intrusion, you know. So much so, some are saying if the Americans don’t shut up about it, England should come cold all over its relationship with the USA.
Well, that’s gobsmacking, isn’t? It’s basically saying, “Shut up, stop talking about all the raping we did nothing to address or nip in the bud, or we won’t be your friends, anymore. We’ll take our soccer ball and go home, we will!”
What is a victim, anyway?
I shouldn’t be so surprised. I’ve seen, and noted, in the past that for some there are two classes of sexual abuse/rape victims. The justly and properly acknowledged victims of priests, ministers, rabbi’s and religious — anything that involves church-centered abuse) and then the abused and raped people whose victimhood appears to be a lesser ken: Non-minor vulnerable adults; victims of public school teachers and staff; victims in state-run facilities. And now, apparently, English girls.
There is no such thing as a “lesser victim,” though. And England’s weird refusal to acknowledge these actual victims and do the right things by them has just been reinforced as British MP’s voted — by a pretty wide margin — NOT to investigate, not to look into the matter, not to look into who knew what, when, or when it was decided (and by whom) to just let the rapists have their rapes.
The poor dears running the country (who knows what the king actually does…) are feeling very put upon, now, you know, and it isn’t fair. Their worlds are “being turned upside down,” they say. They imply that it isn’t kind. Or something.
That the worlds and lives of several thousand girls (and some boys) have been turned upside down? Oh, the little people, you know. Just keep a stiff upper lip and carry on.
Finally, a pop-star speaks to the story
I’ve been wondering for a while why, in all of this, we have not heard from the pop stars who can usually be relied upon to comment-with-alacrity about the social or political outrages of the day — or at least the ones they know they can safely shout about and be called “brave.” I mean, where is Bono? I’m a fan, and he’s usually pretty fast with his mouth. Where is he? Where is Elton? Where are Adele? Where is Madonna? Where is Sting? McCartney?
For that matter, where are members of the Royal Family, working or non, hither and yon? They’ve got no thoughts on all this?
I’m not surprised, really. All the “courageous” voices only pipe up when they know the cool kids in the cafeteria will have their backs. Mock insult the churches (and quite justly, says I) for their abuses, their cover-ups, their reluctance to do the right thing? Easy as pie; safe as swaddling clothes. But discuss what the secular side of abuse, coverups and refusal has done?
Crickets.
But I did find one musician who had precisely the right retort to this vote by the British MP’s — and all the media and government folks who want everyone to just shut up about it and do as they’re told. God bless the late, great George Harrison:
Thank you, George. You were never afraid to speak your own mind.
(Featured image taken December 1974, via an employee of the Executive Office of the President of the United States, taken or made as part of that person’s official duties. As a work of the U.S. federal government, it is in the public domain.)
