by Clayton J Baker at Brownstone Insights
View original article at Brownstone.org.
In viewing this tragi-comic scene,
the most opposite passions necessarily succeed,
and sometimes mix with each other in the mind;
alternate contempt and indignation;
alternate laughter and tears;
alternate scorn and horror.
Edmund Burke
Upon first seeing videos of the European farmers’ recent protests, I, along with many others across the Atlantic, was deeply impressed. Like Canadian truckers on steroids, these supposed hayseeds gave the world a lesson in determination, ingenuity, courage, and organizational skill beyond the wildest dreams of the appalling bureaucratic yahoos who lord over them and seek to drive them to extinction. Rumors of French President Emmanuel Macron avoiding Paris hinted on possible lasting effects for the better.
In their protests, the farmers also displayed several of the highest of human character traits, including an admirable level of restraint against violence, and even a wicked sense of humor. It was inspiring and hilarious all at once. Watching them block roadways to major cities for weeks, simply “off-roading” in their tractors when confronted by the so-called authorities, was awesome.
When the farmers sprayed tons and tons of manure on various government buildings (talk about gilding the lily!) two questions entered my mind.
My first question, borne in part out of sympathy for the poor workers who would have to clean up the mess, was:…
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