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Sunday, October 31, 2010
Idiots on Parade: Jonah Goldberg
Half empty? Half full?What happens when people find their way into public positions by way of nepotism? You might call it idiots on parade. Exhibit #1 (of many possible) is Jonah Goldberg. That is, the Jonah Goldberg who writes for the National Review and is a mouthpiece at the American Enterprise Institute, having exploited his mom's various connections to land cushy jobs in the world of right-wing propaganda. (His mom being up to her elbows in the Clinton-Lewinsky fiasco.)
In any case, late last week Jonah published this Op-Ed in The Chicago Tribune. In it he essentially wishes someone - Julian Assange, pooh bah at Wikileaks - dead for speaking in ways that poor stupid Jonah doesn't like. Think I'm making that up? Here is Jonah's opening line: "I'd like to ask a simple question: Why isn't Julian Assange dead?" If only poor stupid Jonah were not so incredibly dim I might think he were playing at irony. But since he can barely manage coherence or consistency that seems unlikely. In fact, he himself assures us that no irony is involved here: "So again, I ask: Why wasn't Assange garroted in his hotel room years ago? It's a serious question."
Jonah, master of the genre called reactionary hyperbole, initially insists: "WikiLeaks is easily among the most significant and well-publicized breaches of American national security since the Rosenbergs gave the Soviets the bomb." But ultimately he comes round to the view that the Wikileaks folks actually make the right-wing case: "Indeed, most of the documents from WikiLeaks debunk the vast majority of conspiracy theories that fueled so much idiocy on the left for the last decade. No sinister plots involving Halliburton or Israel have been exposed — because they only existed in the fevered fantasies of some coffee-shop dissidents." Jonah, being himself a coffee-shop war-monger, must have been keeping an eye on those sitting on adjoining couches.
I am not at all sure what the Wikileaks documents have to say about conspiracies of any sort. I have not read any of "thousands upon thousands of classified documents from the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq" that Wikileaks published last week. And despite his assurance about what "most of the documents" say, I doubt poor stupid Jonah has either. (According to The Guardian, the latest Wikileaks revelations consist in roughly 400,000 documents. When I say poor stupid Jonah practices hyperbole I mean to point out that he has not even run eyes over "most" of the documents.) My understanding is that the documents largely are field reports about specific encounters between U.S. troops, Iraqi civilians and, usually, Iraqi military personnel - usually these are reports of the what our allies were doing to the civilians, at our behest, and why the U.S. personnel were going to do nothing about it. I also understand that failing to prevent or report war crimes by proxy is itself a war crime. But who am I to say? And I also understand that the documents Wikileaks released have had names and other details redacted so that Jonah's crocodile tears about how our poor Iraqi and Afghani collaborators are at risk are pretty much totally irrelevant. Of course, acknowledging any of that would deprive poor stupid Jonah of the chance to show how really, really tough he is. What a pathetic joke. If you want some measured responses to the Wikileaks revelations look here; they are much less entertaining than Jonah because none of these folks wishes Julian Assange dead.
The folks at The Tribune should be ashamed. This essay is drivel. I don't like it. But while I will call Jonah Goldberg a buffoon, I don't wish him dead.
Scientific Images: Prize-Winning Snow Flakes
And the 2010 Lennart Nilsson Award (Recognizing Extraordinary Image Makers in Science) goes to CalTach Physicist Kenneth Libbrecht. He makes pictures of snowflakes. I figured it would be difficult to make any connection between his photographs and politics; then I saw the stamps. Not only are they official postage, but they have the standard distributive politics and familiar foreign policy implications at work - one flake each from Alaska and Michigan with the other two being Canadian. Can you identify which ones?And, of course, the Europeans had to get on on the act .... These are Austrian stamps:
The Guardian Anoints Top Ten ...
We are Making a New World (1918)by Paul Nash - © Imperial War Museum.
. . . British Art Works About War. You can find the story, with links to most of the works, here. Their list includes the Nash painting.
“The End of Social Housing 1945-2010”
Picture is from the front page of Friday’s “Inside Housing” magazine. Its grim conclusion is that the ConDems have decided to end Social Housing.
To be clear this is about the ending of a key plank of the welfare state, it is about the end of all Social Housing whether provided by Councils or Housing Associations. I don’t think that people generally have “got this” yet.
Quite rightly they have been distracted at the plans to “Kosovo” style cleanse the poor out of middle class Britain.
For much of the 20th century, all British governments, Labour and Tory, provided direct financial support to build social housing for working people, the elderly and the vulnerable. This government has decided that it will not be doing so any more.
There is some money set aside for existing commitments but once this is spent any new homes for rent will only be allowed to be built if they charge tenants 80% of market rents. They also will lose their security of tenure. What this will mean according to Inside Housing is that an average working family of three will pay £140 more per week (note per week) than they would currently. This is not social housing anymore.
Ordinary working families will not be able to afford to live in such “housing” and will seek cheaper and smaller housing in privately owned slums and ghettos.
Unemployed tenants will fall into arrears due to housing benefit cuts and will face eviction; they will be held to be “intentionally homeless” and be forced to move into privately owned slums and ghettos.
Ironically the foundation of the Welfare State was laid by Liberal, William Beveridge. One of the “5 Giants” it was created to tackle was “squalor”. We are about to turn full circle.
Does anyone in this government “get it” either?
Labour Unions Protest at Songshan Airport, Taipei
This morning, on a tip from a friend, I found myself at Songshan Airport in Taipei witnessing a protest by labour unions, who criticised both the Council of Labour Affairs and Japanese Airlines Corp for making 70 airline attendants redundant. This was an early protest planned to coincide with the arrival of direct flights from Haneda Airport in Japan and Songshan. The police were informed of the impending protest and restricted protest to outside the Terminal building, screening all people who wanted to go in (asking them if they had a ticket and where they were going). The protest started early and sparsely, as seen left below, then almost magically (this happens a lot in Taiwan) suddenly there was a good group of 30-40 people ready with vests and signs.
There were probably around 20-30 police also at the event, not including plainclothes and other airport security officials. Just like at the LGBT parade the day before, CID recorded the event for prosperity. These guys below were quite friendly. I asked the young officers on the right if they were videoing to build a database of faces. They explained that they were only junior officiers and couldn't say too much or talk too long because their boss might not be too pleased. Throughout the morning, these CID guys recorded pretty much everything.
The protest takes shape ...
Friendly but focused chaps.
The rear of the protest. There were speeches, chants and even two songs.
The police cordoned over the path but released the cordon each time the crowd moved 'forward' along the walkway, in front of the entrances to the terminal.
A senior officers overlooks the scene ...
... whilst protestors hold a press conference.
And the police watched on.
A weeping woman relates her angle on the reason for protest.
Not wanting to let the side down, the authorities delicately formed a neat two line move. Guys in front ...
... ladies at the back. One policewoman explained that they were there to 'manhandle' the female protestors, something we also saw in the Dapu land seizure case.
The guy on the right was very senior and his disdainful poker face stayed the same the whole morning.
There were probably 20-30 media personnel there to cover events and give interviews. Yours truly was interviewed by TTV. I told them that protest was perfectly normal in a democracy when alternative forms of negotiation or legal recourse had failed. I said that it is very important for people to trust that the law will be practiced and that it is applied consistently. Taiwan was a very normal democratic country. The interviewer then asked me if I thought the protests were inconveniencing travellers so I said 'no more than check in and handling your luggage'.
This woman's husband had been laid of after a lengthy term with the company just before he was about to retire and collect his pension. The Japanese company were accused of deliberately laying off workers just before they were to collect retirement payments and the CLA of failing to implement existing law that is designed to protect workers from this kind of 'austerity measure'.
The Green Party was represented at the event by Li Ying-hsuan, Taipei City Council candidate No. 6 for Neihu / Nangang. Her campaign platform has been built around labour issues.
The woman in blue and the man in the tracksuit behind her made impassioned speeches.
The crowd sat in for the speeches then later stood up and moved along.
The boys and girls in blue ever present and keeping an eye on things.
Look closely and you can see what looks like the edge of a kind of whiteboard on a pole next to the wall. That's the noticeboard the police use to announce enforcement of the Parade and Assembly Law. I asked a less friendly officer if they were going to use it and he said yes. When I asked if he knew that the law was a relic of the white terror and made in 1990 (my bad chinese - I wish I knew the term for 'early post-martial law period'), he brushed me off and walked over to the wall to prop the board up.
When everyone moved up the walkway, the rushing press snapping and shooting away whilst back-pedalling furiously made the event more exciting than it really was.
The protest came to a halt in front of some windows where signs were held high supposedly for visiting Japanese company VIPs to see. I left shortly after.
These very young officers were quite amused with me. I half joked with them not to beat anyone but make harmony together. Not a thing I would do in China or any other country but maybe my own. They laughed.
Finally, one criticism. I got chatting with an elderly visiting Japanese couple who both understood my poor Chinese, the husband of which had lived in Taiwan for five years some time previously. I explained that the current government was very China friendly and that I thought China was ramping up tensions over the Senkakus. I felt also had to apologise because the labour union march had at times a distinctly patriotic, if not outright xenophobic, atmosphere. Certain speeches raising the issue of Senkakus and songs that seemed to call for quite violent revenge featured which upset me, and to my knowledge also upset Candidate Li who used her speech to support the protest on principal of law whilst avoiding blaming nations for individual corporate behaviour. I reiterated to the Japanese couple how much Taiwan had welcomed me and how it welcomes Japanese friends too.
LINKS:
- Space Shuttle - An era of lost opportunities
- Legislators delay visit to Senkaku islands, for now.
- I think this was probably a good idea - US reversed policy and declares genes can't be patented.
"The future of our schools" TUC conference Sat 27 Nov
"What do government policies on schools mean for our children and communities?
What are the long-term implications of giving more schools greater autonomy - improved schooling for all or a two-tier system?
Does the focus on parental choice empower the majority of families?
What do academies and free schools mean for teachers and other education professionals?
This conference will consider these questions and hear a range of views on the future of our schools.
The event is based around panel discussions and workshops so that participants can share their experiences and opinions with others.
The event is for everyone with an interest in the future of our schools, including parents, pupils, school governors, school staff, trade unionists, local authority officials, academics and policy advisors.
To register for this free event please complete this online form: www.tuc.org.uk/futureschoolsreg
Let your friends and colleagues know you are attending this event: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=160098134017914"
South Park Explains Inception
I found this little parody and funny video from South Park. If you've seen Inception, I think that you'll find this video pretty funny. If not, see Inception and then watch this video. By the way, Inception is still an awesome movie.
Saturday, October 30, 2010
More Funny Tweets from Twitter -- Kim Kardashian
Image via Wikipedia1. Kim Kardashian makes a sex video, becomes a millionaire. A poor girl makes a sex video, get $200 and an STD. Life is fair?
2. Kim Kardashian + Justin Bieber = Cougar on the prowl.
3. Some people call call Kim Kardashian "full figured". Others simply call Weight Watchers.
4. Now playing -- Kim Kardashian in "The Shallow Girl Strikes Back".
5. Kim Kardashian has a nose for trouble. It also doubles as an umbrella.
So, what do you think: funny or over-the-top mean?
Terrorism - American "Christian" Style
Members of the Ku Klux Klan participate in a cross lightingceremony at a Klansman's home in Warrenville, S.C., Saturday.
KKK Imperial Wizard Duwayne Johnson said it was the first
public cross lighting in 50 years. Photograph © Reuters.
__________
P.S.: Duwayne is no relation!
P.S.: Duwayne is no relation!
Dalits Bravely Embrace Buddhism.
Hundreds of Dalits belonging to Chettipulam, a village near Vedaranyam in Nagapattinam district are planning to embrace Buddhism on December 6, the death anniversary of B R Ambedkar. During September 2009, the CPI(M) had alleged that the Dalits were not being allowed entry into the temple by the villagers. The party organised temple entry agitations twice - on Sep 30,and Oct 14 of that year.James: I have been watching with interest the continued phenomena of Dalits converting to Buddhism since the revered Dalit Dr. B R Ambedkar converted giving Dalits a way out of the cruel label of "untouchable." In the Hindu caste system Dalits or "untouchables" are considered the lowest of the level of human being. The castes system was officially abolished with the drafting of the Indian Constitution but the tradition is still stubbornly held to by all too many Indians and the discriminatory suffering continues.
Traditionally Dalits were forced into the "impure" professions of: trash collectors, butchering, animal carcass removal and waste clean-up. They are sometimes still banned from entering temples because of their "impure" status. This combined with the political rights movement by Ambedkar has been the fuel that has created and perpetuates the mass conversions of Dalits to Buddhism (to read more about the political and social reality of the caste system, click here). This is all a cursory description, of course, of the very complex nature of the Dalits place in Indian society.
Buddhism was revolutionary and a bit rebellious at the time of its birth in Indian society (and still somewhat today) as it challenges and denies the existence of the caste levels. Hinduism teaches a fatalistic approach to life, whereas, Buddhism approaches it from the aspect of choice. In other words, there is a way out in this life from our present circumstances. Buddha's famous declaration on the matter was, "Birth does not make one a priest or an outcast. Behavior makes one either a priest or an outcast." Buddha himself was born into the warrior caste in ancient India.
Indeed Buddha believed that one's past lives were but one aspect to what determined who we are as a person in this present life. However, unlike the Hindus he taught that we can change this through our actions in this life. We aren't segregated into a less equal status for life simply for being born into a certain family. The caste system doesn't allow for advancement or change in one's existence in this life, and seeing how there are virtuous and less virtuous people in all the castes points more toward Buddha's theory that our personalities are shaped more by our actions than by birth outcome.
In the face of all this I have wondered what tradition of Buddhism are these new Buddhists embracing. As it turns out, their own. Theirs is often an ecclectic form of the Dharma that is based upon the traditional Theravada tradition but borrows as well from Mahayana and Vajrayana. They are very socially engaged Buddhists stemming from their movements political campaign for greater rights in their homeland of India (SOURCE: Queen, Christopher S. and Sallie B. King: Engaged Buddhism: Buddhist liberation movements in Asia: NY 1996: 47ff. u.A.). The eclectic nature and socially engaged focus of these Buddhists is shared within the emerging western, Buddhist cultures, and is in part why I am so interested in its emergence in modern Indian society. May all Dalits find the way out of their suffering -- as may all of us.
~Peace to all beings~
Labour Conference 2010: Friends of India reception
This is a picture of Newham delegates and visitors (I'm hiding in the back row between flags) with the India High Commissioner, his Excellency, Mr Nalin Surie, shaking hands with Chair of LFI Barry Gardiner MP.
This was a really good event. Loads (and loads) of MP's turned up to give short speeches.
This of course had nothing to do with the Shadow cabinet elections (as many of them freely acknowledged). Click on picture to bring up detail.
London UNISON 1st Health Brigade's: Lean Green Recruiting Machine
Gracie, Debbie, Micky and Chong recruited over 200 UNISON members at this one event.
They are well on their way to forming a 2nd Health Brigade in Greater London UNISON region!
Well done comrades!
Onwards and forwards.
John's Autumn Watch
Off message but last weekend I went for a marvellous Autumnal walk in the Chilterns. It is apparently a particularly "bountiful" season this year with lots of fruit and berries. Thanks to the cold winter last year which killed off fungi and pests with a warm but showery summer. Double click photos to bring up detail.In the weak sunshine and long shadows the trees are starting to change colours. It had rained the day before and there was that lovely wet, musty muddy smell in the woods.
There were some huge birds of prey floating up high looking for dinner and a very disdainful small deer (left - Munjac?) who hopped away like a rabbit.
The walk was (number 15) "Great Hampden and Little Hampden". There were simply superb views all along the route. It was only 6.5 miles and while up and down there was nothing too strenuos.
There was a little bit of history at Hampden House which is the site (right) of the home of John Hampden, the leading Parliamentarian whose refusal to pay Ship Tax in 1641 was one of the triggers of the English Civil War. See - the British if pushed too far can be rebellious! (not that Revolution did poor John much good)The rolling hills and beech woods of the Chilterns are deservedly an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and only a few miles from London. It can get very crowded in the more popular spots but this walk was quiet and very peaceful. Recommended.
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