Monday, August 23, 2010

"the Tories' actual support among the voting age population is likely to be closer to a quarter than a third"

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An electoral system that lets such a profoundly inadequate mandate wield control over the entire nation is called a pseudo-democracy. Anyone out there who is still uncertain whether voting should be compulsory or not? Or whether, at the coming referendum, instead of choice between a really undemocratic and unrepresentative system or an almost completely undemocratic and unrepresentative system, we should be given real choices for reform? A referendum where we, the electorate, every single one of us and not just the demagogues that infest Westminster, is called upon to register their position.

When I read things like this post, from which the title quote is taken, and I look and see what the ConDem coalition is doing to the UK, I am so, so glad to be leaving this country. If I had to stay to watch it torn apart, to see the public services and assets sold off, the and the human beings cast aside into the gutter I think it would actually break my heart.

Sunday, August 22, 2010

Shorter Gareth Porter: "US is a fundamentally aggressive and exceptionalist entity"

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Interesting article, this:
"In his latest book, Washington Rules, historian Andrew Bacevich points to this largely un-discussed aspect of recent U.S. wars. The “Washington rules” to which the title refers are the basic principles of U.S. global policy that have been required beliefs for entrance into the U.S. political elite ever since the United States became a superpower. The three rules are U.S. global military presence, global projection of U.S. military power and the use of that power in one conflict after another. 
Bacevich suggests that personal and institutional interests bind the U.S. political elite and national security bureaucrats to that system of global military dominance. The politicians and bureaucrats will continue to insist on those principles, he writes, because they “deliver profit, power and privilege to a long list of beneficiaries: elected and appointed officials, corporate executives and corporate lobbyists, admirals and generals, functionaries staffing the national security apparatus, media personalities and policy intellectuals from universities and research organizations.” 
That description of the problem provides a key to understanding the otherwise puzzling serial denial by the political elite on Iraq and Afghanistan. It won’t do much good for anti-war people to demand an end to the war in Afghanistan unless they are also demanding an end to the underlying system that has now produced quasi-permanent American war."
Well, quite. Although I'm not sure what's so "undiscussed" about it.

Saturday, August 21, 2010

the Liberal Democrats could yet save the country from ruin

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As the UK electoral system is as transparent as mud I'm not sure what would happen if Nick Clegg did the sane thing and took the Liberal Democrats out of the ConDem coalition. One thing would be sure: Cameron and Osborne' insane, sociopathic Slashathon would have to come to a grinding halt.

Now there seem to me to be several reasons why Clegg isn't going to do this: cowardice, naked ambition, insanity, some bizarre concern to limit damage to the economic system which seems to hold more sway over the nation's fate that the votes of its electorate. I suppose its possible that Cameron and Osborne may be holding his children hostage in a basement in Bolton with several ugly Northern characters on hand ready to do unspeakable things with the obligatory blowtorch and pliers. Regardless of the true reason, they are all utterly morally bankrupt. Well, maybe not the kidnap scenario but then I clearly made that up so lets not dwell on it (although the number of people likely to die as a result of Tory policy over the next five years is undoubtedly much greater than the number of children Clegg has). As Richard Murphy writes:

"We have a financial crisis in the UK. It was not caused by the government; the crisis was caused by a collapse in our national income. That was, in turn, caused by the collapse of the banking sector. That crisis then resulted in the income of the government collapsing."
"Neither of these issues created a government spending crisis, because what we have is a government income crisis."
"Any deficit reduction policy aimed at cutting spending is wholly misdirected."
And so:

"[A] crisis in the nation's income which created a crisis in the government's income is being addressed by cutting spending – which was (by and large) under control. That makes no economic sense at all and does suggest that the spending cuts agenda is purely political."

The people in charge if the ConDem coalition are guilty of conducting that wholly misdirected assault upon government spending. As we all knew they would, the Tories are tearing the country apart again. This time there can be no doubt that their policy is driven exclusively by ideology and has little basis in fact or evidence (pdf).

My point is, therefore, that Clegg is propping up an ideologically driven assault on the government of the United Kingdom by people who are convinced that public services in the country can only be efficiently provided through free enterprise regulated solely by market forces. Its the Shock Doctrine and he either hasn't realised this or he actively supports it:

The problem wasn't just that the [Coalition Provisional Authority] was understaffed, it was also that it was staffed by people who lacked the baseline belief in the public sphere that is required for the complex task of reconstructing a state from the ground up. As the political scientist Michael Wolfe puts it, "Conservatives cannot govern well for the same reason that vegetarians cannot prepare a world-class boeuf bourguignon: If you believe that what you are called upon to do is wrong, you are unlikely to do it very well." He adds, "As a way of governing, conservatism is another name for disaster."
The Shock Doctrine pp354
Naomi Klein
As Clegg's public humiliation grows at the hands of his Tory masters one really begins to wonder whether he has allocated an appropriate degree of consideration to the consequences of his continuing support for this apocalyptic political movement. Without LD support the Tories' plans would be considered on a case-by-case basis by the various political elements in a crude approximation of democracy (gasp!). There might even be another general election. Regardless, what has arisen from an election that at one stage offered the most hope in a generation for meaningful political reform is something utterly regressive with absolutely no prospect for reform. It is the worst of all outcomes. The irony is that it doesn't need to be. I only hope that sufficient LibDems come to appreciate the potential that lies in their hands to remedy the situation. I don't think that Clegg has the balls but his party is sufficiently inexperienced at handling real power that many party members and even MPs retain some semblance of independence and- more importantly- the backbone to wield the power they hold.

Wednesday, August 18, 2010

"public opinion" is a fantasy

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Interesting article from Lenin's Tomb.

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

BBC: "George Osborne will continue walking around and breathing"

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The government is to refocus public spending on areas that will boost the UK's long-term economic success, the chancellor is to say.
As opposed to focussing on areas that will ensure the UK’s long-term economic prospects contain a bag of Haribo Star Mix for every man and woman over the age of eighteen.

Britain can put its economy back on the road to recovery without sacrificing growth or becoming an unfair society, George Osborne will tell City analysts.
Exactly how this is to be achieved in light of the epic Slashathon the ConDems have intiated, which is broadly considered to be sabotaging any chances of growth and ensuring an even more precipitous drop in any index of fairness you’d care to mention than their predecessors achieved, doesn’t seem worthy of consideration.

The future is not about how much the government spends, but what it does with the money, he will say.
“We would also like to observe that graminoids are frequently green in colouration”.

Speaking at Bloomberg's London offices, he will also criticise Labour's legacy
"Its not our fault the economy’s tanking. Labour spent all the money.”

It comes as new figures are expected to show inflation is rising much faster than most people's pay.

Analysts estimate that it will have dropped only slightly from last month's figures, when the consumer price index was 3.2% and the retail price index stood at 5%. Average earnings over the last year have risen by 1.3%.
“I’ve got a multimillion pound inheritance, whereas you’re all fucked”.

In his speech, Mr Osborne will attack Labour's claim to have ended boom and bust, calling it "the greatest failure of economic policy-making for more than 30 years".
“Isn't it funny how I now pretend that I had no role whatsoever in cheering it along or campaigning to push that policy further and faster than Labour ever did."

He will also claim the previous government had not specified where its planned £44bn cuts to tackle the £155bn deficit would come from.
"Neither have we, but don’t let any attempt at balanced coverage get in the way of your pseudo-journalism”.

His speech is set to hint at what the public service landscape could look like after autumn's comprehensive spending review.
“Its all gonna be mindlessly fucking slashed!”

Mr Osborne will tell his audience: "We are shaping the economy of the future by promoting a pro-growth agenda.
“A growth in mindless slashing!”

"We are shaping the big society of the future by decentralising power and empowering people. We are shaping the public services of the future by reforming the public sector so it delivers value for money.

"And we are shaping Britain's future role in the world through our review of defence and security."
“We’re mindlessly slashing the shit out of it all! We’re building upon Lady Thatcher’s epic legacy of slashing to make the UK a slashing Goliath bestriding the global stage!”

The chancellor will also explain that the government intends to "follow a ruthless approach to waste, inefficiency and bureaucracy in government" which could mean "bringing in external expertise", if necessary.
“Labour bought in consultants to help run the country. We’re bringing in Hollywood directors to script a new slasher flick: I Know What You Did Last Parliament.”

He will add: "We will tackle soaring welfare bills. And we will refocus public spending in those areas that will make a difference to our long-term economic success.
At this point The Rt. Hon. Mr Osborne made no further comment. He instead produced a long, sharp knife from inside his jacket and waved it in front of him, making “SHWING! . . . SHWING!” noises.

"It is not about how much the government spends but about what the government actually does with the money."
Mr Osborne now dropped his trousers to reveal some sort of terry-toweling nappy affair stuffed with £50 notes. He then proceeded to squat and seemed to strain for a second before noisily passing wind . . . or something.

Saturday, August 14, 2010

irony

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Here is an email exchange I had yesterday with 'Tory', a proudly conservative colleague who has just finished his PhD.

________________________________________
From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 15:33

To: Everyone
Subject: who is on weekend duty?

Hi,

I have a special request for whoever is on weekend duty. Could they contact me or can someone tell me who it is?

Thanks,

Punkscience

________________________________________
From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 15:42
To: Punkscience
Subject: RE: who is on weekend duty?

!

Is it a request to wallpaper your bee houses with copies of the Guardian..?! :-P

Tory

________________________________________
From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 15:46
To: Tory


NO! With pages from The Spirit Level, actually.

;~D

________________________________________
From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:02
To: Punkscience

Good lord. Whatever theories will they come up with next?!

Does this book actually dare to suggest that the poor, uneducated skivvies are equal to us towering academic giants? Fools.

Pfffffffff

________________________________________

From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:09
To: Tory

No. No it doesn't. That would be preposterous! Pffftttt

________________________________________

From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:19
To: Punkscience

I'm glad you agree. After all, who on earth would want to consider themselves equal with so many people who "find Pop Challenge In Your Eyes-Enders entertaining..." thereby forsaking their own "personal intellectual development"?!

[~NB: Here 'Tory' is actually throwing my own words from a previous exchange back at me.~]

________________________________________

From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:22
To: Tory

EXACTLY!

I couldnt care less but pathetic liberal tree huggers are encouraging terrorists because the country is full!... True patriots must promote marriage...

________________________________________

From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:26
To: Punkscience

F**k the country. The world is full!! The end is nigh , the end is nigh... Just strap yourself in and pray you come out the other side.

_____________________________________

From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:38
To: Tory

I have been realising over the past few years that soft-touch Britain is taking our country away from us. True patriots must send them packing. Its time to revolt people.

_____________________________________

From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:40
To: Punkscience

Hey, I think these guys agree with you Chris: [~link to the BNP removed~]

________________________________________

From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:44
To: Tory

all right-thinking peopleknow that the pc nazis are stealing my cartax because our culture has been emasculated! the only solution is to go round their houses with a pair of pliers and a can of petrol.

________________________________________

From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:47
To: Punkscience

We may actually agree about something... I detest the current drive for everything to be PC and the insidious creep of litigation that has slunk across the Atlantic.

I saw [~name~] and [~name~] last night and he has had to go on several 'Diversity' courses recently. The details beggar belief.


________________________________________

From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:53
To: Tory

I read in the Sun that benefits cheats are trying to kill us all because nobody has the guts to stand up to them! Read my lips: have two strikes and you're out. You heard it here first!!

________________________________________

From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 16:54
To: Punkscience

I read the same thing!! Benefit cheats and foreigners.

Now, where's the number for that lawyer...

________________________________________

From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 17:01
To: Tory

It makes me sick! does anyone realise that criminals are inviting in paedohpiles and AIDs. End this madness now build more prison, lock em up and throw away the key. GREAT britain is going to the dogs!!

________________________________________

From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 17:02
To: Punkscience

Is that why you're escaping to NZ?!

________________________________________
From: Punkscience
Sent: 13 August 2010 17:47
To: Tory

No!!.. .Im not being rcaist but ethnics are getting freebies because they have been incompetent since day 1. Simple answer: build more prisons lock em up and throw away the key. What would Churchill say?!??

________________________________________

From: Tory
Sent: 13 August 2010 17:02
To: Punkscience

Now I'm not quite sure if you're actually being serious or not...


You might have noticed that all of my replies from 16:22 onwards are copied directly from spEak You're bRanes' glorious Twat-O-Tron. It took 'Tory' six consecutive replies to become suspicious of my responses. Which is rather telling.

Tuesday, August 10, 2010

people need to hear this and repeat it to everyone they know

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There is a movement afoot to challenge the political insanity of the ConDem coalition. I am happy to be doing my bit in reading this excellent piece of rantage (via the most awesome Signor Vowl) and pushing it upon both of my regular readers too. Even though I'm leaving I am still keen to do what I can to save this country from the likes of Cameron and Osborne.

Wednesday, August 04, 2010

coalition of THE AWESOME

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These people are a generally good bunch. I endorse their manifesto wholeheartedly for the powerful bucket of AWESOME that it is.

It is only a bucket, however. Not a lake. I'm disappointed that there's no express endorsement of electoral reform or sustainable development. There's not even an express commitment to social justice. Hmmmmmm . . maybe I should downgrade that bucket to a tea cup.

It is time to organise a broad movement of active resistance to the Con-Dem government's budget intentions. They plan the most savage spending cuts since the 1930s, which will wreck the lives of millions by devastating our jobs, pay, pensions, NHS, education, transport, postal and other services.

The government claims the cuts are unavoidable because the welfare state has been too generous. This is nonsense. Ordinary people are being forced to pay for the bankers' profligacy.

The £11bn welfare cuts, rise in VAT to 20%, and 25% reductions across government departments target the most vulnerable – disabled people, single parents, those on housing benefit, black and other ethnic minority communities, students, migrant workers, LGBT people and pensioners.

Women are expected to bear 75% of the burden. The poorest will be hit six times harder than the richest. Internal Treasury documents estimate 1.3 million job losses in public and private sectors.

We reject this malicious vandalism and resolve to campaign for a radical alternative, with the level of determination shown by trade unionists and social movements in Greece and other European countries.

This government of millionaires says "we're all in it together" and "there is no alternative". But, for the wealthy, corporation tax is being cut, the bank levy is a pittance, and top salaries and bonuses have already been restored to pre-crash levels.

An alternative budget would place the banks under democratic control, and raise revenue by increasing tax for the rich, plugging tax loopholes, withdrawing troops from Afghanistan, abolishing the nuclear "deterrent" by cancelling the Trident replacement.

An alternative strategy could use these resources to: support welfare; develop homes, schools, and hospitals; and foster a green approach to public spending – investing in renewable energy and public transport, thereby creating a million jobs.

We commit ourselves to:

• Oppose cuts and privatisation in our workplaces, community and welfare services.

• Fight rising unemployment and support organisations of unemployed people.

• Develop and support an alternative programme for economic and social recovery.

• Oppose all proposals to "solve" the crisis through racism and other forms of scapegoating.

• Liaise closely with similar opposition movements in other countries.

• Organise information, meetings, conferences, marches and demonstrations.

• Support the development of a national co-ordinating coalition of resistance.


Tuesday, August 03, 2010

how the hell did this guy get a PhD AND run for parliament?!?!?!

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A good article from The Indy. I love the idea of requiring MPs to engage with science ( David Tredinnick, you poisonous little sociopath) but I don't imagine for one second that it will change the way parliament works. It makes me wonder why Julian Huppert would want to be an MP anyway. Surely he doesn't think that a single semi-rational voice will make a difference in parliament?