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News Briefs 06-12-2010

By Katon

I would call this ‘the paranoia edition’, but you know the old saying…

Thanks to Greg and RPJ.

Quote of the Day:

If we take the inevitability of future large leaks for granted, then I think the debate must eventually centre on the things that will determine the supply of leakers and leaks. Some of us wish to encourage in individuals the sense of justice which would embolden them to challenge the institutions that control our fate by bringing their secrets to light. Some of us wish to encourage in individuals ever greater fealty and submission to corporations and the state in order to protect the privileges and prerogatives of the powerful, lest their erosion threaten what David Brooks calls “the fragile community”—our current, comfortable dispensation.

From After Secrets: Missing the point of WikiLeaks, Democracy in America blog at The Economist.

Kat
Related

22 Comments

    1. right
      Oh it sounds all very fitting to me.

      Many people have talked about normal internet users being moved into a pure consumer role by various means, mostly in the name of security. But do normal internet users listen? No they don’t. They are actually quite happy being pure consumers. And since they (for the most part) don’t understand diddley about the security issues, they prefer to be “safe”.

      There is no need for a new conspiracy here. A passive population is more convenient for many service providers and governments.

      Personally I don’t think what Assange is doing right now is particularly productive in its stated goals. But it will perhaps be useful to illustrate just how passive most people are.

      Most people are happy being subjects, they have no interest in being citizens.

      1. “Most people are happy being
        “Most people are happy being subjects, they have no interest in being citizens.’

        That is true until all their money and comforts are taken away as is now happening to the American middle class. If they can no longer afford to be idle consumers then they can afford to raise hell and open their eyes.
        These times remind me somewhat of the days leading up the French Revolution when the economic depredations of the elites finally reached some critical mass that turned on a switch in the people. The wealthy class of today knows so little about the “lower classes” that they are assuming a paasivity that is not necessarily there. I know lots of wealthy republicans who have the most detached and caricaturish views of the great unwashed. The great unwashed can bite anyone in the ass if pushed far enough, and they are getting pushed very far now. The detachment of the wealthy elites is always their downfall. Their money can so insulate them from the real world that they lose their sense of scale and moral propriety and have no awareness of the powder keg underneath them.
        People assume that the French aristocracy of the Revolution with their powdered wigs and lipstick were much more over the top than our current aristocracy, but that is nott true at all. The conspicuous consumption of our current crop of robber barons is looked upon with intense envy and anger by those below them who are watching the rug being pulled out from beneath their feet in so many ways. The elites have lost all sense of just how exreme the trappings of wealth look to the underclasses. At some point, the camel’s back breaks and there is no telling what happens which just makes it all the more precarious and frightening.

        1. Loose Change
          And how about that Colorado public TV sation playing “Loose Change?” That is a story worth following to see what the repercussions will be. We saw what happened when Virgin Airlines played it on tranatlantic fligts. That got squashed in a hurry. You can tell a lot by the forces opposing disclosure by their manner of reaction. This might be interesting. It is also a good counterpoint to all the doucumentaries being feverishly run on The Discovery Channel and The History Channel attemtping to buttress the official line about 911. I smell seaweed and see palm leaves floating in the water.

          1. big problems
            There are small problems and big problems, and those in between.

            Compared to freedom of speech around the world, who did 9/11 and whether the Iraq war was legal are tiny issues.

        2. Rico! Go get a bucket of kickass for the class…

          “Most people are happy being subjects, they have no interest in being citizens.”

          It took me about 20 seconds before it finally dawned on me why the above quote sounded so familiar…

          What’s the difference between a citizen and a civilian… err, subject?

          Let’s ask Mr. Rasczak… (Raising my hand…)

          “All right, let’s sum up. This year in history, we talked about the failure of democracy. How the social scientists of the 21st Century brought our world to the brink of chaos. We talked about the veterans, how they took control and imposed the stability that has lasted for generations since. We talked about the rights and privileges between those who served in the armed forces and those who haven’t, therefore called citizens and civilians.”

          1. Consuming is an act of politics
            Back in college a teacher made us read a book which held the thesis that the act of consuming is fundamentally a political act.

            Every time you buy something at Walmart, or Sears, or your local organic market, you’re also making a political statement.

            The problem is that 90% of consumers are never aware of this. So it’s not like they are not citizens, it’s that they passive citizens.

          2. No doubt

            “Every time you buy something at Walmart, or Sears, or your local organic market, you’re also making a political statement.
            –
            The problem is that 90% of consumers are never aware of this. So it’s not like they are not citizens, it’s that they passive citizens.”

            That’s very true and in today’s global economy, a single purchase of most anything will reach back to corners and offices that the consumer could not even imagine.

            The problem is, of course, one that fits like a glove because it was designed to… um, fit like a glove. We as a society are in no condition to make a political statement via our consumption. If we want a TV, we will buy something made in china. If we want clothing, it will come from China or Bangladesh or India. If we want a good T-bone steak… it might come from Texas or Nebraska but just as easily from Argentina or Chile.

            The globalists did this to us over a spread of decades, making sure that no single nation could be entirely independent. It is probably also meant to prevent war too… but there is no history to suggest that humanity has gone to conflict with an ounce of common sense. It’s a fool’s errand and one that makes the conspiracy theorist look much smarter.

            My daughter recently drove 50 miles to a sports wear outlet… where used to also be a large Russell Athletics mill. The industry fled but left the store open… to a town that refuses to shop in it.

            She walked away without a thing to make a statement.

    2. Goodbye free internet
      [quote=emlong]including the ensuing clamor for more internet restriction.[/quote]

      I was thinking this today, how it’s uniting Western governments against the new ‘terrorist’ threat — free internet. Mark my words, our democratically elected leaders (sarcasm meter turned high) will use Wikileaks as an excuse to kill ‘net neutrality and control our online lives. They’ve been gunning for it for years, with Australia pushing a national internet filter despite expert advice (both tech and law enforcement) saying it will do nothing to prevent crime.

      It’s very telling that in almost a decade, Western governments still can’t find Osama bin Laden, a man who orchestrated the murders of 2,998 people; but in less than a week, they catch a man who did nothing but campaign for the truth. Their hypocrisy makes me want to throw up. Western govts want Assange because it fits their agenda.

      Heh, I probably added another inch to my file with this post. 😉

  2. Citizen versus subject.
    A man who owns a rifle is a citizen. A man who doesn’t own a rifle is a subject.

    I personally think that Heinlein had it square in the black: Only those with military service should be allowed to vote, have a government job and/or run for an elected office.

    If you aren’t willing to put sweat equity into the defense of your country, then that’s fine. You just don’t get a say in how it’s run. I think that that is VERY fair.

    1. Okay… why not?
      Interesting point… and one I am not really against. I have often taken the position that everyone, male and female (and in-between?) should serve enough time in uniform so that if needed, they could be more quickly assimilated for national defense.

      My plan would have seen males do a minimum 18 month stint and females, 12. This would include a round of basic training/boot camp plus some time in an advanced course. After that, whether they would attach to a guard/reserve unit would be secondary because they would have the fundamentals… most importantly, self discipline, weapons and the drive to finish what was begun.

      Being no fan of the military’s life doctrine, I am still grateful for those basics that have served me throughout my life. I think it would help mature the population at an age when they can both vote and play hell on society.

    2. Bleeeeeccccch
      [quote=Gwedd]A man who owns a rifle is a citizen. A man who doesn’t own a rifle is a subject.

      I personally think that Heinlein had it square in the black: Only those with military service should be allowed to vote, have a government job and/or run for an elected office.

      If you aren’t willing to put sweat equity into the defense of your country, then that’s fine. You just don’t get a say in how it’s run. I think that that is VERY fair.[/quote]

      *facepalm*

      How about an alternative theory. Only those with service in the name of charity should be allowed to vote or run for office. If you aren’t willing to put sweat equity into the defense of *humanity*, you don’t get a say in how it’s run.

      Humanity, inching backward, ever so quickly.

      1. Not interested…….
        I’m not interested in “humanity” or one-world governments. Those sorts of social engineering experiments ALWAYS turn out badly. heck, look at the cesspool that Obama is creating with his socialist-enabling democrats in Congress.

        No thank you. I’m interested first and foremost in downsizing the US Federal Government, and restricting it severely to ONLY those powers granted under our Constitution.

        Free men and free markets are always a good thing, and the true power behind real and lasting progress.

        Military service is THE most positive and enriching service that any man or woman can partake in. It is based upon self-sacrifice for the good of others, and such service should be rewarded by special stature within the nation.

        Face-Palm Greg? Really?

        Those who beat their swords into plowshares will quickly be plowing for those who didn’t.

        1. Via Fora!
          In Medieval times, the “Via Fora!” was the war cry that rallied all the men who could bear arms to defend the honor of the city of Barcelona.

          The free men and women of Barcelona would gather around the flags and banners of their respective guilds; and then they would wait until the flag with the coat of arms of the city, and the banner of St. Jordi, would take the vanguard. That was the signal for the men, all armed with at least a crossbow, to march forward.

          In the Catalan language, this was called the “host” of Barcelona. The host could gather for many different reasons: to defend the commercial interests and privileges of the city, to rescue a citizen that might have been held in captivity by an enemy feudal lord, or whenever the king’s armies were gathered to fight an opposing kingdom. Many times the mere sight of the “host” was deterrent enough, and no battle would ensue.

          Only the free citizens of Barcelona were allowed to join the “host”. It was considered a great honor to fight in the name of the city.

          However, this was a time when there were things like slavery, and pirate raids, and Christians were mortal enemies of the Mus— oh, hell! forget I wrote anything >_>

          PS: This discussion reminded me of this

          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z4ekygnt-XE&NR=1

          And of course, it really sounds great —until you see the end of the movie.

  3. stonehenge baskets
    It seems a little excessive to me to build baskets for the purpose of lifting stones. It could work but they would still need a hell of a winch to place the lintel stones on top. And by the time you are done making the giant baskets, well, who the hell needs stones? Just make a giant basket temple!

    I still go with the belief that Merlin did it 😉

    1. Being “willing ” to defend
      Being “willing ” to defend your country with arms and being a willing particpant in foolish and reckless wars are two different things entirely. Anyone not getting that distinction clear is a lamb being led to slaughter – the dumbest sort of citizen.

      1. Agreed

        The only problem is that the armed forces are not allowed to make those distinctions. They are only allowed to follow orders.

        PS: If only people serving in the military, or serving with the military service, were allowed citizenship, then I guess that this man would have never been president of the United States

        And the history of the world would have been very. VERY. Different.

      2. +1
        [quote=emlong]Being “willing ” to defend your country with arms and being a willing particpant in foolish and reckless wars are two different things entirely. Anyone not getting that distinction clear is a lamb being led to slaughter – the dumbest sort of citizen.[/quote]

        This.

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