The Problem With Democracy

The problem with democracy is that the people of a country lose the right to consider themselves independent of government policies. If a government does or says awful things then the people of the democracy have to bear responsibility. Citizens of totalitarian regimes can’t really be held responsible for what their governments do. I don’t …

This is what an insurgent looks like

This is happening one state away from me: Pretty scary stuff. I guess at least Americans are bearing arms to overthrow (in their mind) tyrannical government not just shooting at each other out of fear, anger or greed. It shows some holes in many citizens’ view of the social contract though.

Horse Meat

I like horse meat. It’s delicious and healthy. And not so different from beef. I’m really enjoying watching the unfolding European horse meat scandal. Even countries like France where horse is regularly eaten are outraged that they’ve been lied to. The scandal has exposed the complicated supply chain in the European cheap meat trade. It’s …

The full Bradley Manning / Adrian Lamo logs

(06:08:53 PM) info@adrianlamo.com: What’s your greatest fear? (06:09:24 PM) bradass87: dying without ever truly living via Manning-Lamo Chat Logs Revealed | Threat Level | Wired.com. Everyone should read (apparently) this full chat log. In it Manning, a 22 year old depressed man, questioning his gender reached out to Lamo for someone to talk to. While …

Emissions taxing and trading in Australia

After many years of proposals, counter-proposals, coups and general disappointment the Australian Government has announced its scheme to allow the economic impact of carbon pollution to be managed by the free market. I’m really really proud that as a country we’ve reached the point where there’s a plan in place. It’s taken longer than it should have. …

Donna Dubinsky struggled to get individual health insurance (NYTimes)

The new health care reform legislation is not perfect. Nothing that complex could be. But I have no doubt that the system is broken and reform is absolutely essential. If we are not going to have universal coverage but are going to rely on employer plans, then we must offer individuals, self-employed people and small …