Sunday, February 12, 2023

Florida Bans Books

 In both a case of life imitating art, and of history repeating itself , Florida has been banning a sizable number of books of various subject matter. This is along the same sort of lines as what had happened in the Third Reich, under Hitler, as illustrated in this book , and movie,  I have read and seen, called " The Book Thief" . I believe that any ideology, whether on the political right or left, religious or secular, can potentially become a basis for totalitarianism. Such regimes realize that ideas have substantial power, that unlike people cannot be so easily killed.  I feel that all information should be critically analyzed , and proof read, not simply censored but in good faith carefully considered. But the cults and the states they control are not so willing to compete in the marketplace of ideas. They instead seek to control the media, and suppress rather than sincerely address points of view that may run counter to their set dogma. By controlling opinion they seek to control the consciousness of the public mind. <  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=nI0V-gpTc8c , https://www.thenation.com/article/politics/book-bans-florida-public-schools/ , https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2013/12/16/thie-d16.html , https://www.openmindsfoundation.org/extremism-and-manipulative-groups/ , https://www.cultwatch.com/howcultswork.html > 

Tuesday, July 19, 2022

Hackers Use Remote Control to Change Gas Prices

 And now , amidst the inflated fuel prices , some innovative people have been carrying out illegalist direct action  , in resistance  .  < https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/security/hack-pump-rising-prices-lead-reports-gas-theft-rcna35198 >  Now , for the record , I myself do not condone theft, for reasons outlined in this treatise. < https://libcom.org/library/anarchist-morality-peter-kropotkin >  However, as the common people are coming to realize just how futile both the invisible hand of the market , as well as the heavy hand of the government is in tackling the rising cost of gasoline, and cost of living more generally , such  instances of desperate measures being used to take matters into ones own hands will increase.  The American public is fed up, and not going to put up with both out of control costs, and out of touch politicians . The days are numbered I feel for both liberalism, and capitalism, in this country. What might come to replace the established social order however remains to be seen. 

Thursday, June 16, 2022

Resistance Rises Against " Cop City"

 https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jun/16/us-activists-protest-atlanta-cop-city-training-forest     I first heard of this ongoing situation from watching this live stream. 




The video goes into even more extensive detail about what all people's concerns are regarding this training camp. I personally feel that it would be best if the people and the power were to do right by each other, and find a way to get along in good faith. The disconnect between the public and the political powers that be is resulting in conflict, whether or not one thinks that the stated concerns are valid or not. I find this to be yet another example of both the distrust that people are having towards those in authority, and also the disregard that the power has been having for the issues that people have taken with its projects and policies. Such problems must be suitably resolved. 

Thursday, March 31, 2022

Will Smith Assaults Chris Rock

 https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/mar/30/will-smith-chris-rock-oscars-slap   I would likely attribute Smith's motivation for slapping Chris Rock to the so called "culture of honor" . A notable historical example of this sort of thing would be that of the Caning of Charles Sumner .  Even so, by the standards of this mindset, aggressive and harsh though it be, those of equal social status must be first called out, not attacked without prior notice. There are rules concerning such affairs of honor . By sucker striking Rock, Smith not only inflicted bodily trauma but also inflicted humiliation, and degradation upon Rock's manly honor . I don't feel that it can be said with any certainty whether or not Chris Rock had known beforehand about Jada Pinkette Smith's alopecia. If he had, I think that his wisecrack was especially out of line. But be as it may, there is no rightful justification of the initiation of violence in response to verbal insults. All persons deserve the right to feel secure , and no one has the right not to feel offended. This is the price of living in a free civil society. 

Tuesday, March 1, 2022

Ukrainian President , Zelensky, Suppresses Opposition Politicians

 I just now discovered that the president of Ukraine, who the western media wants people to rally in support of, has now started to crack down on prominent dissidents, in Ukraine.  Notably, a married couple with last name of Shariy. https://bykvu.com/eng/bukvy/ukrainian-president-volodymyr-zelensky-brings-in-sanctions-on-pro-russian-media-outlets-and-bloggers/  , https://solidaritaetsnetz.org/solidarity-network-calls-anatoliy-shariy-repressed-for-his-beliefs/ These public figures are not even Communist. As I under stand it , their party , Party of Shariy , is libertarian socialist.  And even though I do not always agree with this YouTuber's viewpoints , especially given his hard-line anti-revisionist Communist stance, I feel that The Finnish Bolshevik had hit the nail on the head, in regard to the current situation of war in Ukraine.  


Sunday, October 17, 2021

A Libertarian Response to Pres. Biden's Vaccine Mandate

 A few months ago , our president , Joseph R. Biden imposed a requirement for employees in large companies to either receive a vaccine for SARS CoV2 , or be regularly tested .  Now while I am inclined to feel that this policy is reasonable , and even legitimate , as this lawyer points out in this video ,  a number of people feel infringed upon by this edict .  And certain Republicans are taking exception to it .  https://news.yahoo.com/u-congress-republicans-attack-bidens-215340548.html   Now , from a communitarian standpoint , while I believe that such a mandate could be justified as constituting a community standard of conduct , in the interest of the common good of public health , a libertarian basis can be more difficult to establish .  I will acknowlege that some prominent , influential , libertarian figures have argued in favor of requiring vaccination , however opinions among professed libertarians have been mixed .  https://www.voanews.com/a/covid-19-pandemic_why-some-libertarians-support-vaccine-mandates/6209163.html ,   https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/opinion/why-mandatory-vaccination-is-not-opposed-to-libertarian-principles   In my own circumstance , my possibly over concerned parents have prevented me from accessing any of the currently available vaccines , due to potential side effects , however relatively rare .  https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/vaccines/safety/adverse-events.html ,  https://www.ksl.com/article/50243501/covid-19-vaccine-hesitancy-does-the-data-support-concerns-about-side-effects  So I am forced by such such personal material conditions to hold out until a more acceptable oral vaccine is made available .  https://www.24newshd.tv/01-Aug-2021/why-an-israeli-company-is-developing-an-oral-covid-vaccine   Hopefully , I will be able to survive until then , especially given that I have comparably good chances , due to cross protection , I optimistically feel .  https://www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2020/11/02/tetanus-vaccine-could-be-the-solution-to-covid-19-spanish-researcher-reveals/  ,  https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2021/09/210902174754.htm  It would seem as if the protective hand of Providence /  Fortune  has favorably blessed my life .  And while I shall not take anything for granted , and shall to the best of my ability follow precautionary protocols , I will not live my life in excessive fear . My heart goes out to all people whom continue to be affected by this ongoing pandemic , especially as it relates to both personal , and official negligence , and willful ignorance .  This plague is devastating , and potentially deadly . No one should have to unnecessarily suffer even unto death . If any such Supreme Being actually exists , they would not want anyone to unduly be harmed by any such infectious disease .   

Thursday, July 15, 2021

On The Recent Unrest In Cuba

 https://reformandrevolution.org/2021/07/13/cuba-release-frank-garcia-hernandez-and-his-comrades/    I honestly do not know what to make of Cuba . On one hand it seems to have free and fair elections . https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2aMsi-A56ds  But then again there is  a left opposition , notably this group , the Democratic Social-Revolutionary Party .   I feel therefore that one must rightly have a complete and accurate assessment of the material conditions , before taking a side on the situation . And at any rate , the Cuban population deserves the right to self determination , same as any nation .