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You Moved Mountains.
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Comments (23)
Empowerment
2 earlier comments in the full thread.
Thanks Helios........just had a shower after chainsawing two large trailer loads of both slow combustion stove wood and open-fire wood (the latter in prep. for winter). It's an overcast and coolish day so a hot and sweaty job is a good one to get done. Being on solar power means wood stove and open fire place, but both are wonderful in winter. Nothing to do with this discourse, it's just nice to let people know how others live.
I think you are probably right. We do have political corruption in Australia and a large "oblique corruption set" is currently playing out with respect to controls on poker machines....but nothing on the scale of what I think you are suggesting. In fact, I think our justice system would very quickly catch up with those attempting what appears to be common practice in your part of the world.
My guess is that plain stupidity seems to be the controlling factor with respect to our legislators and that is just as dangerous. I am reasonably certain that our Federal politicians in charge of making laws for both IP and computer/networking technology, usually do not understand what they are "playing with". They certainly have advisors, but quite often those in turn are biased because they often have not had experience other than dealing with computer technology ultimately dependent on a company in Redmond. And of course, the RIAA and MPAA have their little covens of support here too. We are rolling out the NBN fibre optic network, probably around 40 billion dollars Aust.....the minister in charge is refusing to allow public a cost benefit analysis and earlier actually tried to put legislation through to force ISP's to install filters to block paedophilia. Okay, I'm 1000% on anything that can wipe out that repulsive practice, but expert after expert tried to tell the minister it would not work because of the internet structure. Currently that proposal seems to have died a natural death. But again, putting such a complex technical business in the hands of a non-expert seems to me like playing with fire.....IT in general is now too complex a matter to be allowed to be in the hands of someone whose only previous electronic experience is probably learning how to use the remote on a tv. I'm probably too cynical, but that's how it looks to me
I think you are probably right. We do have political corruption in Australia and a large "oblique corruption set" is currently playing out with respect to controls on poker machines....but nothing on the scale of what I think you are suggesting. In fact, I think our justice system would very quickly catch up with those attempting what appears to be common practice in your part of the world.
My guess is that plain stupidity seems to be the controlling factor with respect to our legislators and that is just as dangerous. I am reasonably certain that our Federal politicians in charge of making laws for both IP and computer/networking technology, usually do not understand what they are "playing with". They certainly have advisors, but quite often those in turn are biased because they often have not had experience other than dealing with computer technology ultimately dependent on a company in Redmond. And of course, the RIAA and MPAA have their little covens of support here too. We are rolling out the NBN fibre optic network, probably around 40 billion dollars Aust.....the minister in charge is refusing to allow public a cost benefit analysis and earlier actually tried to put legislation through to force ISP's to install filters to block paedophilia. Okay, I'm 1000% on anything that can wipe out that repulsive practice, but expert after expert tried to tell the minister it would not work because of the internet structure. Currently that proposal seems to have died a natural death. But again, putting such a complex technical business in the hands of a non-expert seems to me like playing with fire.....IT in general is now too complex a matter to be allowed to be in the hands of someone whose only previous electronic experience is probably learning how to use the remote on a tv. I'm probably too cynical, but that's how it looks to me
No Rid, not cynical enough.
Quoting:My guess is that plain stupidity seems to be the controlling factor with respect to our legislators and that is just as dangerous.No, stupid is worse than crooked by a long shot. As an old law professor of mine used to say, a crooked judge is only crooked part of the time; a stupid judge is stupid all of the time.
"You can't fix stupid."
Not even close to cynical enough.
> No, stupid is worse than crooked by a long shot
Unfortunately, it many cases it's not either/or. :(
Unfortunately, it many cases it's not either/or. :(
Quoting:My guess is that plain stupidity seems to be the controlling factor with respect to our legislators and that is just as dangerous.
They manage to manipulate their constituents to get elected multiple times, cheat and scr*w each other, make bundles of money, and have a very good living. One can call it many other names but stupidity is not one of them.
Religious connotations aside, "and the meek shall inherit the Earth..." And also, political connotations aside, a "government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. "
@Fettoosh.......With respect to the stupidity, I was referring specifically to the lack of knowledge these politicians have about the items for which they are enacting controlling legislation.....Hence our minister for the NBN probably has no idea about fibreoptics, support technology such as ADSL, wireless etc . etc.....but can toss off motherhood phrases about them. As a whole, it is breathtaking here that our government telecommunications monopoly of Telecom was privatised as "government should not be involved in commerce", only to find the present minister reinstating an NBN monopoly. Stupidity ? Oh yes.
However, I very much do take your point about political snouts in the swill trough of taxpayer money, and even lobby money. It's not being clever though, it's about self-interest and sheer greed: Without letting the taxpayers know, how much of their money can I get out of the system before I lose office ?
However, I very much do take your point about political snouts in the swill trough of taxpayer money, and even lobby money. It's not being clever though, it's about self-interest and sheer greed: Without letting the taxpayers know, how much of their money can I get out of the system before I lose office ?
Don't forget the revolving door,... And God forbid, don't pull away the curtain to reveal "The Great and Wonderful Oz." He with his puffery, can make you believe he is knowledgeable of everything in the world. Yep, politicians,... Kinda makes you think its the system that corrupts, otherwise one or more of the idealistic ones would keep that attitude throughout their careers. Doesn't it?!?!
Quoting:With respect to the stupidity, I was referring specifically to the lack of knowledge these politicians ...
I see your point, it is my bad I didn't see it in that context. It must be my comprehension of English, which isn't my first language.
One point I always try to make, if it wasn't for the neglect, carelessness, negligence, laziness, Naivety/naivete, ignorance and sometimes flat out stupidity of voters, those hoodlums wouldn't get elected again and again.
[Edited] Ah, I forgot the non-voters, which Plato spoke off :
“Those who are too smart to engage in politics are punished by being governed by those who are dumber.”
@helios ... I'm setting up my ham radio station after 19 years of inactivity (beats the 3 to 5 years I was actually active ...). All I need is an antenna and I'll be on the lookout for skip on 10 meters ...
@Fettoosh......no worries; English is such a complex language with such subtle nuances that even native speakers sometimes get mistaken. You do very well; I can't even boast of having a second language apart from a moderate ability to understand written French.
And you in turn have hit the target yet again: so often the voters get the politicians they deserve. I'll moderate that a little by saying that additionally the voters are often misled by the lies told during election campaigns. Queensland (where I live) is in pre-election turmoil at the moment, so I am feeling extra-sensitive to political stenches.
And you in turn have hit the target yet again: so often the voters get the politicians they deserve. I'll moderate that a little by saying that additionally the voters are often misled by the lies told during election campaigns. Queensland (where I live) is in pre-election turmoil at the moment, so I am feeling extra-sensitive to political stenches.
I'm once again reminded of Jefferson's contention that a vigorous free press is more essential to liberty than free elections.
I'm not sure we have either, any more...
I'm not sure we have either, any more...
@steven: http://www.w6sd.net/ is San Fernando Valley Amateur Radio Club, a good bunch of folks when I was out there in 80's/90's. I notice they've got weekly nets on 10mUSB as well as 2mFM; guess I need to put some wire up myself.
de wb1hku
de wb1hku
I would also to go as far and say I think the internet could replace the bozos in Washington. You could create a web service where you could have citizens vote on bills.
The citizens would get selected like jury duty. You would have to serve so often to do the voting. This would get rid of lobbyists and the bozos that currently run the country.
I guess it is nice to dream though. I would just settle for honest elections where the counting is videotaped and recorded along with having a paper trail and auditing.
I mean the nfl uses recordings for getting their plays right why can't we use for something as important as electing our officials. We also have all the sarbanes oxley/hipaa crap from enron why can't we have more integrity than the corporate world for electing our officials.
Our elections are nothing but theatre where we don't really get to decide who wins by our vote.
The citizens would get selected like jury duty. You would have to serve so often to do the voting. This would get rid of lobbyists and the bozos that currently run the country.
I guess it is nice to dream though. I would just settle for honest elections where the counting is videotaped and recorded along with having a paper trail and auditing.
I mean the nfl uses recordings for getting their plays right why can't we use for something as important as electing our officials. We also have all the sarbanes oxley/hipaa crap from enron why can't we have more integrity than the corporate world for electing our officials.
Our elections are nothing but theatre where we don't really get to decide who wins by our vote.
We could set up an anarcho-syndicalist commune!
For Gus3, Jsusanka and BernardSwiss.....you might like to look at part of US author David Edding's book "The Shining Ones". In it, someone describes the political structure which ensures good government in the Tegan Republic like this:
Our elected officials have no outside interests to manipulate other than the welfare of the Republic. As soon as they are elected, all they own is sold and the money is put into the national treasury. If the economy prospers during their five year term of office, their wealth earns them a profit. If the economy collapses, they lose everything. Most Tegans do everything they can to avoid election and many have worked themselves to death in the interests of the state. Officials can't run away either. As soon as they are elected, they are put under police guard for the entire term.
What do you suppose USA Congressmen and women would do under such a system ? The mind boggles. I can hear the screams already.
Our elected officials have no outside interests to manipulate other than the welfare of the Republic. As soon as they are elected, all they own is sold and the money is put into the national treasury. If the economy prospers during their five year term of office, their wealth earns them a profit. If the economy collapses, they lose everything. Most Tegans do everything they can to avoid election and many have worked themselves to death in the interests of the state. Officials can't run away either. As soon as they are elected, they are put under police guard for the entire term.
What do you suppose USA Congressmen and women would do under such a system ? The mind boggles. I can hear the screams already.
I've often said that service within Congress should be such a negative experience, that it is avoided instead of coveted. Apparently, Beltway air has some element or compound in it that renders the office-holder unable to remember anything previous to him moving into his new office. I mean, what other explanation can clarify the reasons they forget campaign promises, ignore friends who helped them get there and come to believe they are above the law?
While I thought the Tegan's were some sort of eating disorder cult, I will look into them now and possibly write about how we may adapt to their political ways. Personally, I'm likin' them.
While I thought the Tegan's were some sort of eating disorder cult, I will look into them now and possibly write about how we may adapt to their political ways. Personally, I'm likin' them.
You Moved Mountains.
The current laws are more than adequate...witness the Megaupload case.
Nice story.
Nice story.
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making fun of my little base station of course. I awaited "the Skip" every night so I could talk to places that normally wouldn't be allowed by my feeble transmitter. Ah, the days of Jerry Clower.....
And to the Good Doctor...I keep hoping the US populace awakens to the fact that money doesn't fund congress, it often buys tailor-made laws. There are countries that our way of "donating" to a politician would land you in jail. I thought corruption was only corrupt when it was a hidden activity.
Silly me.