On the lottery of democracy

20070609
(answer to the question "Can lottery replace/complement democracy?")

Your concept sounds close to Athenian democracy, but it would be much more complex nowadays. A parliament is made of lawmakers and lawmakers are coping with a very complex system of laws, impacts, lobbies... The people need to know their MPs better than they would know candidates in a reality TV show. Not all politicians are crooked or evil, and democracies work because of the expertise of great lawmakers. Besides, I don't want the future of my country to be sponsored by Ladbrokes or betwin.com. As a parallel reality show to contribute to the education of the masses maybe, but not as the main dish, and even that show could turn into a dangerous joke, making people less interested in actual politics, more boring and less demagogical.

In the Middle Age, some cities used to treat a fool as their king or their bishop for one day, but the joke was on him ("Fete des fous" or "Fools Fete / Party", not to be confused with April Fools' Day).

During the French elections, Segolene Royal, the Socialist candidate, suggested to have a group of voters randomly selected to keep an eye on their MPs, mayors... which any citizen has already a right if not a duty to do in a democracy. So the joke was on "Demagolene".

India 10 years from now

200703
(answer to the question "What are the images that come to your mind when you think of India 10 years from now?")

Plenty of hot spots and a few dark pits : a huge, diverse and beautiful powerhouse facing major problems which could endanger its very integrity. Beyond poverty, I'm thinking about terror, separatisms and religious clashes fueled by international fundamentalisms. Nationalism is bound to rise and I do hope it won't be only the wrong kind of nationalism.

Moderates may eventually rise against these attacks on the oldest democracy, and a positive common conscience could emerge as a new power, like South Korea's netizens. I also hope the urban / rural and litterate / illiterate divides will be better dealt with. I see more conglomerates become major players at the global level, but more and more in services instead of industries.

White Blogule to the Republicans for Kerry-Edwards

Archives 20041026

To me this election mirrors the fight on terror.

Regarding the latter, Bush doesn't understand (or pretends not to understand) this is not a religious war between America and the terrorists but a war from radical islamists to moderate muslims. The US have been drafted in order to magnify it but I don't think Bin Laden, even in his wildest dreams, ever hoped America would react as stupidly as this Administration did: instead of fighting extremism and terror they fueled it by launching a religious crusade - the way a medieval leader would have proceeded, not a responsible XXIst century leader.

Regarding this election, the key battle is not about Reps vs Dems: we are witnessing an attempted coup of extremists on the GOP, against moderate Republicans. Should Bush win November the 2nd, there may well be a much deeper crisis within the Republican party than within the Dems, who would unite even stronger as Resistants. Because the Republican Party would lose - if not this election, more fundamentally its very soul.

Kerry proved he has the ability to work hand in hand with Republicans because he is the one candidate to respect the values that built America, and most Republicans share this vision.

You are a Republican and you want to vote for Kerry but you are wondering if it is consistent ? It is, since President Bush is not a Republican. He doesn't respect the Republic (the res publica is about accepting the debate, bringing the issues out there, not about hidden agendas, undiscussed laws, preventing even Republicans from knowing what's going on...) nor the values that earned this country respect from its citizens as well as from other countries. As a Republican, you have a moral duty to protect your country. And the biggest danger it is facing right now is not terror but about the direction it is about to take, about it's very leadership. You are making the right choice for a true Republican.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to Allawi - Allawi is the thug

20040924

The Americans are not told Bush's man in Baghdad was nicknamed "Saddam Sans Moustache" by the Iraqis as Hussein ruled. That he was one of his worst thugs till Saddam decided to mollify the Baath doctrine.

Allawi dares present himself as a hero because of his hostility to Saddam, but he was the one to blow the whistle to the dictator for the uprising attempt in Kurdistan, contributing to the bloodbath.

Now that he has the job he'd been dreaming of for decades (fighting over it with his cousin Chalabi), Allawi is not likely to leave it. He's bound to have the democratic legitimacy he needs because Bush forced elections in Iraq in january so that no opponent has time to make himself known.

Now Allawi can pay Bush back by praising his disastrous attack on Iraq, contributing to his French bashing frenzy or whatever his master sees fit.

Democracy ? No way Jose. Business as usual.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to Bush Outlook 2.0 - No to Bush's agenda

Archives 20040919

Bush keeps on abusing the countries he "liberated" to serve his own agenda. He already "democratically" imposed an impossible schedule for the elections in Afghanistan and Iraq (even if he eventually could not get elections before november the 2nd in Iraq, he managed to get them in january, which is much too soon according to everyone).

Now, just because the heat is on him for the situation in Iraq (and right after the UN wisely remembered the international audience the war was illegal and the january schedule was absurd), he's organizing the Saddam trial for next month !!!

And we still do not know how this trial will be held, since Mr Democracy refuses to abid to international standards and made his own country an outlaw : no to a legal war, no to the international tribunal, no to the Geneva standards - even in the usage of forbidden weapons of destruction (the defragmentation bombs the US and UK used in Iraq, which killed hundreds of people, are strictly forbidden by Geneva)...

How dares this man speak in the name of democracy ?

WAKE UP AMERICA !!! GET THIS DICTATOR OUT OF THE WHITE HOUSE !!!! SM on a forum

Red Blogule to "dismission accomplished"- Don't let Bush take the lead and tell more lies about Afghanistan

Archives 20040910 (see blogules 2004)

Attacking Bush on Iraq is fine, but don't forget Afghanistan's "demission accomplished". Bush wanted free elections to help his reelection, and they will take place on october the 9th. Get ready for more disinformation folks.

What Bush will say : Afghanistan is discovering democracy. For the first time, free elections will be held. 18 candidates prove there is a true democracy on the move. Mission accomplished. + BONUS : by the way, we just arrested Osama in the area! Vote for me!

What we must say about Bush's failure in Afghanistan : "dismission accomplished". Because of the war in Iraq, the US didn't finish the job in Afghanistan. The country didn't receive the help it was supposed to get. Intolerance and insecurity are back, so are the talibans, and the production of drug has boomed as never before. Bush betrayed his promise to Afghanistan, which was supposed to be the priority. Afghanistan was truly about the war on terro, not Iraq. Everybody supported it and French soldiers are still fighting there. But Bush used this alibi ticket for a wilder ride.

What we must know about these elections : most democrats in Afghanistan denounce them as a simple reelection tool for Bush. The country is not ready for elections, the calendar is too short to let a real campaign take place, and most people don't even have any ID in the country. Everything is set to elect Karzai, the man of Washington. Because the world was focusing on Iraq, it was possible to prevent the same from happening there, but at the beginning, Bush demanded elections in Iraq to be held before november 2004 too...

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to BUSH, THE NEW HUGO CHAVEZ

Archives 20040902 (see blogules 2004)

Stop demagogy!

Dubya is using the same tricks as Chavez and could get the same results as his fellow dictator if the American audience doesn't get any wake up call. Soon.Time to remember how inspirational the man can be, but how delusive he actually is.

Time to say "It's democracy, stupid".

Some extracts from his inauguration speech (20010120) :

• . "Through much of the last century, America's faith in freedom and democracy was a rock in a raging sea. Now it is a seed upon the wind, taking root in many nations."
  => A seed of torture upon a wind of shock and awe. What kind of freedom and democracy are you talking about?
• . "America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility. A civil society demands from each of us good will and respect, fair dealing and forgiveness."
  => Some still do expect that from you. Along with apologies.
• . "If we permit our economy to drift and decline, the vulnerable will suffer most".
  => You're gifted with precognition, man.
• . "We will confront weapons of mass destruction, so that a new century is spared new horrors".
  => And we will use weapons of mass disinformation, so that our voters are spared the horrors we provoque and even sometimes commit.
• . "The enemies of liberty and our country should make no mistake: America remains engaged in the world by history and by choice, shaping a balance of power that favors freedom. We will defend our allies and our interests. We will show purpose without arrogance. We will meet aggression and bad faith with resolve and strength. And to all nations, we will speak for the values that gave our nation birth."
  => Make no mistake : now all nations despise your arrogance and your betrayal of your own nation's values.
• . "And I can pledge our nation to a goal : when we see that wounded traveler on the road to Jericho, we will not pass to the other side."
  => Yeah. You just drove the damn tank over him. And made sure the damns walls were fully destroyed.
• . "America, at its best, is a place where personal responsibility is valued and expected."
  => Thus, we'd value and are expecting your non reelection.
• . "Our public interest depends on private character, on civic duty and family bonds and basic fairness, on uncounted, unhonored acts of decency which give direction to our freedom."
  => Family bonds it is. Along with honored acts of indecency. The problem is the public interest depends on your very private character.
• . "After the Declaration of Independance was signed, Virginia statesman John Page wrote to Thomas Jefferson : 'We know the race is not to the swift nor the battle to the strong. Do you not think an angel rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm ?' Much time has passed since Jefferson arrived for his inauguration. The years and changes accumulate. But the themes of this day he would know: our nation's grand story of courage and its simple dream of dignity. We are not this story's author, who fills time and eternity with his purpose. Yet his purpose is achieved in our duty, and our duty is fulfilled in service to one another. Never tiring, never yielding, never finishing, we renew that purpose today, to make our country more just and generous, to affirm the dignity of our lives and every life. This work continues. This story goes on. And an angel still rides in the whirlwind and directs this storm."
  => What a quote ! You knew from the start the race was about swift boats and dignity. You just don't fit in, and the Karl Rove directing the storm is no angel. Learn more about duty and service in your public library (I don't think there will be many other books in your own prez library than your faves : "My Pet Goat", the Reverend Moon's autobiography, "An End To Evil" by Richard Pearle and David Frum... and of course The Stubborn Again Christian Handbook...).

Some extracts from Dubya's acceptance speech (20001213) :

• . "Our nation must rise above a house divided. Americans share hopes and goals and values far more important than any political disagreements"
  => Are the US more divided now than 4 years ago ? Betcha !
• . "I know America wants reconciliation and unity. I know Americans want progress. And we must seize this moment and deliver."
  => Like seizing Iraq and delivering goodies to old pals ?
• . "Together, guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy and common goals, we can unite and inspire the American citizens".
  => Courtesy might be your middle name, when you let Karl do the dirty job (I love the "Turd Blossom" you use as a nickname for your first counselor).
• . "Together, we will work to make all our public schools excellent, teaching every student of every background and every accent, so that no child is left behind".
  => Taught 'em how to die in Iraq, didn't you ? Why didn't you include your own major (Dodger 101) in your costly tuition program?
• . "Together we will save Social Security and renew its promise of a secure retirement for generations to come."
  => Social Security and secure retirement for all, no former Halliburton CEO should be left behind.
• . "Together we will strengthen Medicare and offer prescription drug coverage to all of our seniors"
  => Too bad daddy let you use all these non-prescription drugs when you were young...
• . "Together we will give Americans the broad, fair and fiscally responsible tax relief they deserve."
  => ... and a jumbo size deficit while you're at it.
• . "Together we'll have a bipartisan foreign policy true to our values and true to our friends, and we will have a military equal to every challenge and superior to every adversary."
  => By "bipartisan", you meant Lookheed and Martin ? Halli and Burton ? Come on ! Gimme a break. But your military surpasses Saddam's, that's for sure. Even in torture.
• . "This is the essence of compassionate conservatism and it will be a foundation of my administration."
  => Compassionate conservatism indeed. Now you and your compadres can leave. Please.
• . "These priorities are not merely Republican concerns or Democratic concerns; they are American responsibilities."
  => Now I get it. You read by mistake Al's acceptance speech.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to the Electoral College system - Abolish

Archives 20040829 (see blogules 2004)

(discussion about the US system of indirect prez elections)

I'm not very found of the Electoral College system either, which is not fully democratic. But I consider the primaries an interesting crash test for a most-powerful-person-in-the-world wannabee (pure demagogists could be elected - Howard Dean is one thing, Hugo Chavez another kind).

Yet, direct vote is the best system for such a national election (especially since the US consider themselves a leading democracy), not this "nationocal" madness where Republican supporters back Nader and voting methods vary from one state or one county to another (ie the nepotic Banana Republic system in Florida). In this country, the knowledge is kept by a minority and the majority can easily be betrayed (ie the Y2K Floridian bug).

A reform is badly needed and local elections should be held independantly from the national ones. It should be a Federal issue where Governors have no right to cook according to their own receipe.

SM on a forum

White Blogule to the Young Republicans - Young Republicans Denounce Bush

20040824 (see blogules 2004)

Once again, in George Bush's Divided States of America, the great divide is not between Republicans and Democrats, but between the people who respect democracy and the republic on one side, and this very Bush Administration on the other one.

The wake up call from the young generation of Republicans exposed in this article is great news for the Republican Party, but also American politics in general. The John-John ticket should rejoice as well:
"Sunday, Aug. 22, 2004 - Earlier this month, a group of students met in Washington to bash George W. Bush, debate the power of multinational corporations and hear a speaker who denounced the Iraq war, the Patriot Act and stricter airport security. A leader of these college kids calls them "the new counterculture", but here's the thing: they aren't liberals. The 185 students were in Washington to attend the 26th annual National Conservative Student Conference."

From "The Right's New Wing", an article by John Cloud in Time Magazine.

SM on a forum

Red Blogule to neo-fascists - LET'S FACE IT THEY'RE FASCISTS

Archives 20040527-0602 (see blogules 2004)

(Disinfopedia discussion about the definition of "neo-cons" - "formerly liberals, now conservatives" ? should they be called "imperialists" instead ?)

"Neo" is too positive a prefix for such a medieval mob. Strangely enough, the "neo-cons" hate the liberals just like the Nazis hated (among too many others) the socialists and communists. And the word "Nazi" comes from National Socialism...

As far as I'm concerned, I'd dub them "fascists" rather than "imperialists". Such is fascism as defined by Benito Mussolini himself in 1932 (note that there is also a reference to imperialism...) :

• Definition of Fascism by Benito Mussolini - 1932 (Source Fordham.edu)


• . "Fascism, the more it considers and observes the future and the development of humanity quite apart from political considerations of the moment, believes neither in the possibility nor the utility of perpetual peace. It thus repudiates the doctrine of Pacifism -- born of a renunciation of the struggle and an act of cowardice in the face of sacrifice. War alone brings up to its highest tension all human energy and puts the stamp of nobility upon the peoples who have courage to meet it. All other trials are substitutes, which never really put men into the position where they have to make the great decision -- the alternative of life or death"...


• . "Fascism combats the whole complex system of democratic ideology, and repudiates it, whether in its theoretical premises or in its practical application. Fascism denies that the majority, by the simple fact that it is a majority, can direct human society; its denies that numbers alone can govern by means of a periodical consultation, and it affirms the immuable, beneficial, and fruitful inequality of mankind, which can never be permanently leveled through the mere operation of a mechanical process such as universal suffrage. (...) Fascism denies, in democracy, the absurd conventional untruth of political equality dressed out in the garb of collective irresponsibility, and the myth of "happiness" and indefinite progress."...


• . "The foundation of Fascism is the conception of the State, its character, its duty, and its aim. Fascism conceives of the State as an absolute, in comparison with which all individuals or groups are relative, only to be conceived of in their relation to the State. The conception of the Liberal State is not that of a directing force, guiding the play and development, both material and spiritual, of a collective body, but merely a force limited to the function of recording results : on the other hand, the Fascist State is itself conscious and has itself a will and a personality -- thus it may be called the "ethic" State"...


• . "The Fascist State organizes the nation, but leaves a sufficient margin of liberty to the individual; the latter is deprived of all useless and possibly harmful freedom, but retains what is essential; the deciding power in this question cannot be the individual, but the State alone"...


• . "For Fascism, the growth of empire, that is to say the expansion of the nation, is an essential manifestation of vitality, and its opposite a sign of decadence. Peoples which are rising, or rising again after a period of decadence, are always imperialists; and renunciation is a sign of decay and of death. Fascism is the doctrine best adapted to represent the tendencies and the aspirations of a people, like the people of Italy, who are rising again after many centuries of abasement and foreign servitude. But empire demands disciplin, the coordination of all forces and a deeply felt sense of duty and sacrifice; this fact explains many aspects of the practical working of the regime, the character of many forces in the State, and the necessarily severe measures which must be taken against those who would oppose this spontaneous and inevitable movement of Italy in the nineteenth century - repudiated wheresoever there has been the courage to undertake great experiments of social and political transformation; for never before has the nation stood more in need of authority, of direction and order. If every age has its own characteristic doctrine, there are a thousand signs which point to Fascism as the characteristic doctrine of our time. For if a doctrine must be a living thing, this is proved by the fact that Fascism has created a living faith; and that this faith is very powerful in the minds of men is demonstrated by those who have suffered and died for it"...

Doesn't it ring any (alarm) bell ?

SM on Disinfopedia
(NB : this blogule led to a massive diffusion of literature comparing Bush and Benito)

Bases are loaded, folks. "The Fascist State organizes the nation, but leaves a sufficient margin of liberty to the individual; the latter is deprived of all useless and possibly harmful freedom". And we shall dub this "The Patriot Act".
Oh yes it's good to be the king, ooh la la

Q : who released those two unforgettable quotes ?
. 'I'm the commander - see, I don't need to explain - I do not need to explain why I say things. That's the interesting thing about being the President. Maybe somebody needs to explain to me why they say something, but I don't feel I owe anybody* an explanation."

. "A dictatorship would be a heck of a lot easier, there's no question about it".

A : George W Bush aka King Dubya from The Banana Republic of The Divided States of America. Someone who never flip-flops when high moral standards are required (still dodging after all these years).

* Anybody ? How about the American people ? Duh ! I forgot you don't owe them anything since they didn't elect you...

What, me worry?
Totally Mad!

Red Blogule to fundamenstalists - History will remember this surge in fundamentalism

Archives 20040428 (see blogules 2004)

What irritates me most about Iraq is not the fact everything was foreseeable (except the US public opinion harrassed by Weapons of Mass Disinformation, no one was actually deceived). It is the fact a great part of strategical mistakes were not mistakes but actual clear-headed-cold-blodded choices.

History will remember this troubled era when fundamentalists held the power and/or the media simultaneously in the Middle-East, in Israel and in the US, feeding each other with their radical ideologies. It is high time to remove the leaders that can be removed and it is high time for each religion to speak aloud and expose their values of tolerance and respect. Democracy gives opportunities to both the US and Israel, Christianism has one leader who can - at times - speak for his church, but there is no equivalent for Islam. Saudi Arabia could play a positive role... once they kick the wahabbits, that is.

Let us remember the worst enemies of al Qaeda are not the US (right now Bush is actually their best ally), but moderate muslims whose only weapon is speech and most of the time don't have any license to carry such a dangerous weapon.

SM