Column #256

In his 1933 inaugural speech Franklin D. Roosevelt declared, “Let me assert my firm belief that the only thing we have to fear is fear itself—nameless, unreasoning, unjustified terror…”

For decades I’ve been a student of history both prehistoric and recorded. I’ve always found it fascinating and quite often out of step with common knowledge. When it comes to recorded history, it’s also eerie how it repeats itself. A little more than 50 years ago I read a book that contained many examples where whole populations went “off the page.” It was “Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds” a book Charles Mackay wrote in 1841. If you haven’t read it, you should get it now and read it.1

Mackay covered many topics in his three volume masterpiece that described witch hunts, debased money, wild investment schemes, alchemy, and revolutions. These days, after watching MSM’s nightly news, I see Mackay’s critique of history repeating itself in all those wacky ways at once. There’s cancelling (shamming and shunning) which is a modern version of witch hunts (and McCarthyism). Debts are soaring and people want the government to print even more paper money which is simply an IOU (more debt). There’s a virus that scaremongers hyperventilate over with so-called “science and statistics.” Mobs in the street are destroying our history and demanding more government control over all aspects of life while insisting on cancelling the police. And some radicals are even rehashing the topic of taxiing red meat because it’s destroying people’s health and the health of the entire planet.

It seems to me that there’s a movement underway to cancel or distort the history of western civilization that’s similar to book burnings. The internet, MSM, the mob, and others are erasing history and replacing it with relevancy or slogans that deal with the now. In the process actual history is becoming meaningless. If anyone tries to explain history in its proper perspective the revolutionists are not interested. It’s their viewpoint or the highway. There’s not even room for compromise if there is such a thing as compromising history and being honest at the same time. The modern mantra seems to say that today is a new beginning and it will be flawless from the get go. Everyone will be without sin from this day forth!2

I don’t understand why people want to destroy or remove statues of historical figures solely based on today’s social justice interpretations. All people before us had some flaws. For instance, I wouldn’t want to destroy statues or paintings of Black Beard the Pirate or Billy the Kid. Both are historical figures that played roles, certainly not positive ones, in our country’s history. Their stories are unique and should not be forgotten.

When the occupiers of the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone (CHAZ) in Seattle specifically put out a plea for “vegan meat alternatives and other soy-based food donations,” they just ignored four million years of history. They ignored the fact that animals have been eating other animals since the beginning of animal life on the planet. In fact, the health of some animals (such as felines) depends on eating meat exclusively. The CHAZ folks also showed they are clueless regarding the fact that the foundation food for all animal life is the green leaf, not soybeans.3 4 5 6 7 8

Obviously, we’re “living in interesting times.” But when has there been a time of 100% certainty? A lot of the stress today is caused by unreasoning fear for COVID-19 and the real consequences of the shutdowns that are destroying occupations and entire industries. And we shouldn’t forget there’s the possibility that some or all 77 million students may lose an entire scholastic year. All businesses and institutions are operating in fear of draconian bureaucratic rules for isolating and even closings not to mention outright confiscation. It’s become a multifaceted war for financial survival! If you own a business you know exactly what I mean.

Some of the keys for surviving all this are to lower stress levels, maintain friendships, keep the faith, respect others, and eat foods that strengthen the body, mind, and the immune system. In addition to doing that, strive to stay rational.

To your health.

Ted Slanker

Ted Slanker has been reporting on the fundamentals of nutritional research in publications, television and radio appearances, and at conferences since 1999. He condenses complex studies into the basics required for health and well-being. His eBook, The Real Diet of Man, is available online.

Don’t miss these links for additional reading:

1. Extraordinary Popular Delusions and the Madness of Crowds : Complete and Unabridged : All Three Volumes 1841-54

2. Cancel Cancel Culture by the Editors of National Review

3. You Are Now Entering the Capitol Hill Autonomous Zone

4. Meat: It’s More than Protein from Paleoleap.com

5. Seven Nutrition Facts About Meat That Might Surprise You from MeatUp

6. Vitamins and Minerals – Plants vs Animals by Kevin Stock

7. COVID-19 Impact on the Plant-Based Meat Market by Raw Material (Soy, Wheat, Pea), Product (Burger Patties, Sausages, Strips & Nuggets, and Meatballs), Distribution Channel (Retail Outlets, Foodservice, E-Commerce), and Region - Global Forecast to 2021

8. Man Is an Extension of the Leafy, Green Plant by Ted Slanker