Scorpius: "It is a sad pattern in recent history, this disenfranchisement of dissent.
eh, how is his not showing up to be booed disenfranchising them? Or is the President required by law to be publicly humiliated?"
Well, I don't know about Canada, but here in Australia we had various of our democratic laws and traditions mangled so that George W didn't get heckled.
Some examples listed here http://www.smh.com.au/articles/2003/10/23/1066631577337.html
There's more than just those examples; the extent to which various democratic freedoms were modified during the visit were quite disturbing, but..
I'm proud that we still managed a bit of heckling.
Respect has to be earned, and treading on the customs of the country you're visiting shows about as much respect as I'm willing to give in return. Which is to say, none.
Sadly, Lizardbreath, the Austrailan election was losta good primer on what happens with that value set.
Reducing inequality becomes "the politics of envy"
Promoting equality becomes "reducing choice"
Because promoting equality is always done by those who want the money siphoned direct from your wallet *and* want to drag everybody down to their level of crap, thereby ruining your for success in our competitive world, don't you know. (yes, I'm being sarcastic)
Increasing inequality becomes "providing a safety net" because of course, real people need a safety net, as opposed to those dirty rotten free riders sucking your tax dollars.
..and this despite attempts to frame the "ladder of opportunity" for "aspirational voters".
(slight rant, like I'm not already ranting)
It makes me feel so bloody impotent. The only thing it seems like you can do is to predict what they will skew and skew right back. where's the room for honesty or integrity any more? It's market-driven politics and market-driven economies. When did people-driven or community-driven or society-driven become so sneer-worthy? Come to that, when did society become a dirty word?
(enough rant)
Bah. Pass me the cherry vodka.
My life has been without a certain element of pith, in your absence, Patrick.
Glad to hear your new house will offset the loss of familiar environs caused by the landlord.
As I'm not in the same country, happy house moving thoughts will be directed your way instead of helpful hands. Hope the new place facilitates much happiness (and of course, web log updating...)
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| 2004 | 4 |
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