Posts by BenWilson
Last ←Newer Page 1 2 3 4 5 Older→ First
-
Hard News: Limping Onwards, in reply to Rich Lock,
It would be bittering not to get paid for it.
-
Hard News: Limping Onwards, in reply to Sacha,
they did, though I haven't checked it out - Open Labour
Jeez that's one under-nourished wiki. No wonder Clare Curran was pleading for people in the open source community to help pick it up and run. Y'know, I'm tempted...
-
Hard News: Limping Onwards, in reply to Paul Williams,
I've got to say, having vehermently opposed student loans when I was in student politics, I'm not entirely sure they're so bad albeit in need of modifications.
I'm just the opposite. I didn't oppose them at the time. But now I feel that they were a major stone around my neck, and the entire mindset that they created caused me to make life choices that have led down paths that were not really to my benefit, or society's. The nation missed out on many years of tax from me because of them. Other people I know have ones that have exceeded $100,000, and no prospect of ever paying them off. To offer that kind of debt to children with no security, no proof in the ability or even intention to pay, little regard for the way in which it alienates entire generations to their own country, is unwise.
-
Hard News: Limping Onwards, in reply to Steve Barnes,
State Sector Act 1988 — made the civil service more business-like with Chief Executives instead of Permanent Secretaries
I'm not so sure I'd exclude that one from the stench of free market ideology. This was the Act which took my Dad from being a government employee in the Psychological Service, offering specialized support and advice to schools for their most difficult, troubled students and families, to working for private firms doing just the same thing at twice the price with half the coordination, no pay rise and no job security. The management and ownership structure has changed so often he's lost track and doesn't care.
At about the same time, from memory, special schools were permanently ended, and kids with special needs were mainstreamed wholesale as part of "Tomorrow's Schools". From memory this was a Goff initiative. It wasn't all bad - some disabled kids have flourished in the mainstream. But for any that fall through the cracks there is quite literally nothing offered by the Government.
-
Hard News: Limping Onwards, in reply to Craig Ranapia,
Or Goff opening his mouth without begging tto be called a "do what I say, don't say what I do" hypocrite.
Yup, I can't warm to the guy, who was the Minister of Education when student fees were first introduced. 15 years later, after I finally pay my loan off, he wants me to elect him Prime Minister? Cheers dude, but die already.
-
Hard News: Libya, in reply to glennd,
My expectation is that this will turn into "Iraq 1990-2000".
Yes, I was thinking this also. And I think that one of the things that made Iraq such a balls-up was that Saddam wasn't finished off quickly in the first place, but instead squeezed for 10 years first. Ultimately this was because of a number of factors - Bush followed what the UN authorized.
It's hardly surprising that the UN can never agree to regime change, though. They would not have lasted as an institution if that had been how it worked - some of the superpowers would have withdrawn as they did from the League of Nations.
-
It'll just end up with Gadaffi gone and the place disintegrating in tribal fiefdoms ruled by whoever is organized enough to band some thugs together, like Afghanistan after the Soviet withdrawal or maybe even Somalia.
That's a possible outcome. Another is that a protracted war actually leads to the rebellion becoming much more organized. Another is that the remaining power groups decide to organize themselves along less dictatorial lines, perhaps a council or even a parliament. Another is that there is a coup and an alternative dictator to Gaddaffi is set up. This person would probably be more careful not to share his fate. Another is that the neighboring countries opt to step in. Another is that the country is split up, which might actually make sense if people's allegiances are only to tribes. Another is that a foreign led invasion does happen, and a government is installed. Another is that Gaddaffi actually capitulates completely and promises to be a good boy, and holds elections. Another, the one you seem to prefer, is that the foreigners give up, and the rebels are slaughtered, and Gaddaffi shows that crushing rebellion in the Middle East is business as usual, after which every other place with a bit of rebellion going on will see no reason at all not to do just the same thing or worse.
-
Hard News: Libya, in reply to glennd,
Being a war leader isn't about chest thumping and demonizing
Then why is that all they ever do?
Regime change via the required military action is not what is going to happen, Gadaffi is not the target. Personally I do not believe that, but that is what he said.
Presumably because the UN resolution did not authorize that. And it is still possible for foreign forces to withdraw the very minute that the UN, or the Libyan people, or the Arab league, asks them to. But I agree, what possible point is there in dragging out the conflict without taking a side? It seems fairly clear to me that everyone involved wants regime change - but they want the rebels to do it, so that it has "legitimacy". But they're not strong enough. Yet. They might never be. And yet, they might.
-
Hard News: Limping Onwards, in reply to Lew Stoddart,
Labour’s leadership has to make its mind up on which key issues to pick up on, and fight in a way that’s authentic to them. I hope they already have, and are just sitting tight.
Or they're waiting for us netizens to finish this interminable discussion and hand them their talking points.
I would not even grudge them if they did, in fact I'd feel flattered to have so much influence. But I don't rate myself that much. If I were asked how to decide on the points, I'd actually suggest making a open-source effort, some kind of wiki available to people in which to frame the policy they'd like to see. Decide within a fully participatory framework. If nothing else, it would be a fantastic reference.
-
Due respect, but it's bullshit to say that positivity can't be a winner.
Yup, in fact I think it's more likely to be a winner. But it's also bullshit that there is nothing negative in leftist opposition to an incumbent government. Of course one of the main things they're selling is how shitty the other guys are. I even happen to think it's true.
What positive message could even be sent at this point? A detailed spending policy, promising growth to pay for it all?
Last ←Newer Page 1 … 614 615 616 617 618 … 1066 Older→ First