“The Road We Are Travelling” August 8, 2018
Posted by wmmbb in Democracy, US Politics.add a comment
I can claim no originality here, since this post is an extended quote from Chris Hedges. The problem is to understand President Trump.
BREXIT: Done And Dusted? June 26, 2016
Posted by wmmbb in Democracy.add a comment
My reaction to the apparent decision to exit the European Union was surprise. Can this really be happening? Greece came to mind. They had a referendum and then the leadership of Syriza folded. I never understood why you would hold a referendum and get over 60% support and then say in effect we will accept the severest austerity terms. Then the Scots had a referendum on independence, and the majority wanted to stick with the English, especially those on the border lands. So I thought the same response would prevail with Brexit. Take, for example, the non-existent borders surround Gibraltar and between Northern Ireland and the Republic.
A BUDGET REFLECTION May 15, 2014
Posted by wmmbb in Australian Politics, Democracy.1 comment so far
The Federal Budget will affect everybody, perhaps in different ways, including those people who live and work, or at some future point once lived and worked around the neighbourhood.
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CLIMATE CHANGE AND DEMOCRATIC GOVERNANCE February 21, 2014
Posted by wmmbb in CLIMATE CHANGE, Democracy.add a comment
The climate crisis is not going to go away. The Government has abolished the Climate Commission, and intends, when it has the numbers in the Senate to abolish the Climate Change Authority and the Carbon Tax.
WHAT WAS THE ELECTION ABOUT? September 6, 2013
Posted by wmmbb in Australian Politics, Democracy.add a comment
Who knows, whether it is nothing much, or something significant? Does it really matter that Tony Abbott is due to become Prime Minister, at least for the next three years?
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USA v PRIVATE MANNING August 23, 2013
Posted by wmmbb in Democracy, Human Rights, The Political Internet.add a comment
Clearly, Private Manning is a remarkable and good person. In addition the evidence implies a very intelligent person.
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THE DREYFUS CASE August 16, 2013
Posted by wmmbb in Australian Politics, Democracy.1 comment so far
Mark Dreyfus, Attorney-General of the Caretaker Government, has declared that neither Bradley Manning or Edward Snowden are whistle-blowers.
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PURPOSES, PROFITS AND TAXES May 29, 2013
Posted by wmmbb in Democracy, Humankind/Planet Earth.add a comment
At The Guardian, Joesph Stiglitz makes the prescient observation that multinational corporations are not just about profits but about taxes as well.
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THE ONE AND ONLY WAY May 21, 2013
Posted by wmmbb in Australian Politics, Democracy, Global Warming (climate change).add a comment
Group Think as might be expected is the way of corporations, as is propaganda. When these two characteristics combined with money as political influence, the mere semblances of democracy process are cast into disrepute.
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“POWER STUPEFIES”? April 1, 2013
Posted by wmmbb in Democracy, Israel-Palestine, Modern History.add a comment
Veteran journalist, Uri Avnery at Counterpoint, attributes idiocy specifically to the behavior of the Israeli Government in the case of the Mavi Marmara and makes the wider case.
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MASKED DEMOCRACY March 12, 2013
Posted by wmmbb in Australian Politics, Democracy, US Politics.add a comment
The case for the unrepresentative nature of US democracy seems overwhelming. Could not the same observation be equally made in Australia?
DIALECTIC AND DEMOCRACY March 3, 2013
Posted by wmmbb in Australian Politics, Democracy, US Politics.add a comment
Last week Bradley Manning made a statement to the Military Hearing, after a period of incarceration now exceeding three thousand days, with incidental torture along the way. So much for the presumption of a speedy trial.
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ASSANGE AND INTERNATIONAL LAW August 22, 2012
Posted by wmmbb in Democracy, Duckspeak, Human Rights.add a comment
In an editorial The Washington Post suggests economic trade sanctions should be imposed on Ecuador for providing political asylum for Julian Assange.
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THE CLIMATE AIN’T WARMING? April 30, 2012
Posted by wmmbb in carbon emissions, Democracy, Natural Environment.2 comments
Three days after the program was aired on ABC television I caught up with the program featuring Nick Minchin and Anna Rose.
THE SECRET SOCIETY April 25, 2012
Posted by wmmbb in Democracy, Duckspeak, Peace.2 comments
One, among the several reasons, people form societies is to organize the process of justice.
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ACTION AS RESPONSIBILITY April 15, 2012
Posted by wmmbb in Democracy.add a comment
As far as I can tell Leah Bolger has received no notice in The New York Times or The Washington Post. She is the former naval officer, who with articulate expression momentarily interrupted the hearing of the Super Committee formed to reduce social spending. She faced jail for her action.
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DUCK POND 