'I Kid You Not' - Notes From 20 Years in the Trenches of the Culture Wars

by Lyle Shelton

Lyle Shelton takes readers on a rare behind-the-scenes tour of culture wars. "I Kid You Not", is because the Left has gotten away with things most Australians would find incredible, if only they knew. Before #MeToo, Shelton fought the legalised sexual abuse of young women. On human rights for the unborn, his revelations of politicians turning a blind eye to the evil of eugenics is shocking. He details the bombing of the Australian Christian Lobby's office and its poor handling by the Australian Federal Police. Chapters on "Safe Schools" and the 2017 marriage plebiscite are a sad tale of what could have been. Shelton ends with a compelling call for good people to rise and pay the price for a better future.

273 pages, Paperback

Published June 1, 2020

Reviews

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have never really taken much notice of the so-called “culture wars”. Now that I have 11 grandchildren, however, I understand the importance of ensuring that the more extreme voices in society do not dominate our lives.

I Kid You Not blows the lid right off the culture wars. It highlights some of the more controversial ideas promoted through various “Safe Schools” programs, such as the “Gender Fairy”, where very young children are told that biological sex does not necessarily determine whether they are a boy or a girl — “You decide”, they are told. You can't make this stuff up! These kids are 5! Sometimes this nonsense is introduced in pre-school.

Children should be free to climb trees, jump waves at the beach, and dive into rivers — to simply enjoy being children. There is plenty of time later in life to grapple with complicated adult issues, without having these ideas introduced so early.

Lyle Shelton has done an excellent job recounting some of the campaigns he has been involved in over the years. I admire passionate activists who are prepared to stand up for what they believe.

Times are changing, and the tide appears to be turning back towards what should be common sense. The UK’s Cass Review clearly emphasised the need to stop using dangerous puberty blockers for teenagers experiencing gender dysphoria. Young people need careful social and psychological support, compassion, and time.

Australia may be behind the times in this debate, but with campaigners such as Lyle Shelton, many believe the conversation is beginning to catch up.

Shelton covers many other topics in his book, and all are most enlightening.

Five stars.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Each chapter focuses on a different political and-or cultural conflict, ranging from recycling sewage water to the same-sex marriage debate. He witnessed the early rise of several tactics of those in power: don't debate, demonise; don't answer, instead shutdown questions or comments by offering to speak to the questioner later privately (while having no intention of doing so).

"The unwillingness of elites to accept democratic outcomes is a growing and disturbing trend. They can't stand it when the plebs don't do what the "experts" tell them."

Most politicians, he points out, can only stand being demonised and called a "hater" for so long.

The Hornet Bank Station massacre in 1857 near Taroom and its aftermath still affects race relations to this day.

If we "live within the lie" we collaborate with the system and we compromise our full humanity.
(Vaclav Havel, The Power of the Powerless.)

[Dwight Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great ride in politics from recycled sewage water in Toowoomba City Council to same-sex marriage debate with all its innuendos. I learned heaps about politics and the culture wars debate and Safe Schools etc used by gays to promote their agenda. It helped me survive what is going on in the world to undermine all good values and normal ways. I needed a book like this with a broad and deep view rather than the biased view of the media on these political subjects.

[Geoff · Rating 5 out of 5]

A very enlightening book about the shape of the political parties in this country at present. It covers a variety of recent political issues and changes in recent years. Sometimes infuriating, but well worth the read.