Touching From A Distance

In response to: "The end of the world as we know it" 377 days old
by Paulus82 [Member]

No problem with the delay, must of took a while to write that article.

Considering that pretty much every other source of media, and even anti-Chavez governments, accept he has helped the poorest in Venezuela, giving them pay rise, subsidised food, free homes etc, they I think I will believe them on this issue. He also accepted the ref more…

In response to: "The end of the world as we know it" 378 days old
by Pick1 [Member]

Sorry I meant to get back to you re Chavez

http://www.foreignaffairs.org/20080301faessay87205-p0/francisco-rodriguez/an-empty-revolution.html more…

In response to: "The end of the world as we know it" 385 days old
by Paulus82 [Visitor]

Nice to see you getting a kick from the credit crunch... I still can't see the reason for your deep heated hatred for Chavez though... he may be a bit of an egotistical prick but I can think of worse world leaders.

There are still many financial experts and commentators predicting what could occur could be as bad the Great Depression, more…

In response to: "The end of the world as we know it" 386 days old
by Pick1 [Member]

Oh and when is the revolution? more…

In response to: "The end of the world as we know it" 386 days old
by Pick1 [Member]

I think the general consesus is that there will be a recession rather than a depression as the economy is predicted to contract by 0.2% this quarter and 0.6% in the next quarter with a recovery in 2010, also the recession was predicted before the credit crunch took hold as consumers demand began to dop off so I think a recession was always on the c more…

In response to: "The death of a Princess and the creation of a Godess" 576 days old
by Pick1 [Member]

Leave the People's Princess alone. She shined like a beacon of marvellousness against, whatever the opposite of marvellousness is, to paraphase Viz. Before she came along I had not idea that land mines were BAD. And as for touching that man with leprosy, that was worth more to him than a million nurses caring for him with the best medicine money co more…

In response to: "The death of a Princess and the creation of a Godess" 576 days old
by Eric Blair [Visitor]

What? Our People's Princess is DEAD? more…

In response to: "The New Left" 585 days old
by Paulus82 [Visitor]

Thanks for the input. Yes, I do believe that the Chistian Right in America have a disproportionate amount of influence in America, but I'm not talking about Christian-Zionist as a lot of people make out.

And yes, I completely agree with the principles of the New Left. They stand for the non-compromising elements which are essential, more…

In response to: "The New Left" 586 days old
by Pick1 [Member]

A very interesting blog, although I think you slightly overstate the influence of Neo-Cons and Christians on the Bush Govt. I think the New Left have simply stood up for the values they believe are non-negotiable, while the Old Left simply oppose Western policy because they want to be rebels. Check this essay out there's quite an interesting graph more…

In response to: "Why we must act now" 593 days old
by Paulus82 [Visitor]

Well, I think one fundamental issue is to ban faith schools, which I know you're for. Have a uniformed education system, in fact, what the hell, ban private schools too. The very fact that there are groups opposed to this idea highlights the fact that it is a liberal democracy, and as such, can peacefully protest and voice their concerns. In debate more…

In response to: "I'm British, see, that didn't hurt" 606 days old
by Pick1 [Member]

Yeah I know what you mean Jock, sometimes patriotism can be a sign of insecurity which can lead to nationalism. French and American patriotism is different because its about freedom and citizenship - I would never swear an oath of alleiance to the Queen. I can see the Govt's point of view too but swearing an oath of alleigance makes me feel queasy. more…

In response to: "Why I hate hippies" 622 days old
by Gavin Whitfield [Visitor]

I like your blog Jock, and yes it's a travesty your band weren't signed!
But please refrain from being so positive (in a way) about George W. in future, it makes me feel uncomfortable. Haha.
I do think however that you can take a lot of positive things from religions such as Buddhism, so rather than dismiss them outright, perhaps find more…

In response to: "Why I hate hippies" 625 days old
by Pick1 [Member]

Hallelujah Paulus, I totaly agree, what is all this counter-culture, anti-intellectual bullshit? Its funny how its always middle class people complaining about 'the system, man' while working class people work hard and get on without moaning, (much) Hippy ideas are bollocks, apart from free love and they're music's rubbish too, apart from the Bea more…

In response to: "Why we must act now" 631 days old
by Pick1 [Member]

Hi Paulus82, an interesting article. How do you propose we maintain an integrated, secular, liberal state when some groups are opposed to this idea? Do you think we should impose are idea of human rights on certain communities within our state or merely engage the in debate? more…