The Blog of Fleeced

Ugh… I’m presently reading Green Mars by Kim Stanley Robinson (KSR).  I read Red Mars quite some time ago - many years, in fact - and even at the time, found it leaned toward socialist ideals.  Nonetheless, I enjoyed it (being a sci-fi buff).  But I confess, in reading the second book of the series (it goes: Red Mars, Green Mars, Blue Mars) that I’m finding this extremely painful reading, because of:

1. its misconception/portrayal of capitalism; and
2. the way it embraces socialism (even though it doesn’t consider it as such)

*sigh*

The Mars series is renowned for its “hard science” - but its economics is off the rails.  They even discuss a branch of “eco-economics” which is frankly horrifying to anyone concerned with individual liberty.

In short, I’m beginning to thing KSR is a complete and utter fucking tool!

This is several months old, but well worth viewing.  John Stossel of 2020 tackles the is health care issue - dispelling many myths surrounding socialised health care, and addressing some of the points raised by Michael Moore (I’m not a big Moore fan, but I give him credit for appearing on this show - knowing that it would likely disagree with him).  This is part 1 of 6.  Other parts below the fold.

Part 1 of 6:

(more…)

I wondered how they came up with the Beijing 2008 logo… I think Moe Lauzier has uncovered the truth:

Canadian scientist and environmentalist, David Suzuki on economic growth:

“You all think [economic] growth and change is normal. It’s not.”

That is quite possibly the stupidest fucking thing I’ve ever heard a scientist say.

He urged today’s youth to speak out against politicians complicit in climate change, even suggesting they look for a legal way to throw our current political leaders in jail for ignoring science – drawing rounds of cheering and applause.

I stand corrected.

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: when the US “spread democracy” to Afghanistan, they left out a few important aspects.  Without freedom of the individual, democracy is nothing short of tyranny.  This poor fellow is being sentenced to death for downloading and distributing information about “women’s rights” within Islam.

A young man, a student of journalism, is sentenced to death by an Islamic court for downloading a report from the internet. The sentence is then upheld by the country’s rulers. This is Afghanistan – not in Taliban times but six years after “liberation” and under the democratic rule of the West’s ally Hamid Karzai.

Apparently, this constitutes blasphemy… and carries the ultimate penalty.  Is there any hope for Afghanistan?  Will they ever learn that there is more to democracy than purple thumbs?

This is one of the best interviews with Ron Paul that I’ve seen.  It’s fair and balanced, doesn’t try to twist his views to mean something else, and asks a lot of questions.  It also covers a lot more than just the war in Iraq, which I think many Ron Paul interviews and speeches spend too much time on.

As far as I’m aware, this interview has not (and will not) screen on TV, so I’m doing my little bit to spread it around.

Part 1 of 6:

(more…)

An amusing article, and a nice break from politics.

Source: The Independent, Sunday 14th October

Can’t Tase This.

Hat tip: Yobbo

The Australian Political Quiz has been updated, and also works as a good guide to where the Australian political parties stand on issues of social and economic freedom.  The quiz asks 10 simple questions, and shows you where you fit on a 2 dimensional political compass.  We have also plotted various Australian political parties so that you can see which party most closely aligns with your philosophy.

Give it a try - and don’t forget to tell your friends about it.

[Note: cross-posted to my campaign blog.  Please direct any comments over there]