Utopia
I have heard the word ‘Utopian’ used by politicians to describe the policies of a political opponent. I received the impression that in using the word ‘Utopian’, that policies with a large role for the state were being derided as unrealistic, a ‘Utopian dream’. After reading Utopia by Thomas More, I can now fully understand the meaning of this term.
The Zimbabwe Inflation
According to news reports (RTE / The Citizen) the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe (RBZ) has issued yet another higher denomination banknote, this time a 200,000 dollar note. Is anyone still wondering why prices are skyrocketing?
Live Earth Hypocrites
The Live Earth series of concerts is a shocking example of environmental vandalism, from environmental hypocrites. The promoters are trying to combat greenhouse emissions by staging a worldwide series of concerts, using massive amounts of energy. Let’s look at the waste of energy.
Weekly Radio Address
Quality political humour is important to keep politicians in check. Weekly Radio Address is hilarious. The spoken likeness to President George W Bush is extraordinary. Go to WeeklyRadioAddress.com or subscribe in iTunes.
The Philosophy of Liberty
Ken Schoolland has produced a great presentation, The Philosophy of Liberty. At only 8 minutes long it is one of the best and most easily accessible presentations I have seen on this topic.
Welcome to North Korea
In Welcome to North Korea, Dutch film makers Peter Tetteroo and Raymond Feddema give an all too brief view of the realities of life in communist North Korea. The full realty is hidden from view, as the film makers are escorted by their hosts to the various monuments and museums of the capital, Pyongyang.
Privatise the ABC
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is the national, non-commercial broadcaster of the Australian Government. I enjoy the ABC. I listen to NewsRadio, and enjoy watching television programs such as Lateline, Yes Minister and Grassroots on ABC television. However I would like to see the ABC privatised (turned into an organisation based on voluntary association) or the assets given to private citizens1. This is primarily because the ABC is funded by taxation, a compulsory payment to the government, rather than by voluntary payments from advertisers or viewers.
Rain in the Catchment
With all this lovely rain falling in the Sydney area in the recent past, in many conversations I hear the common sentence, “I hope it’s falling in the catchment area.” This hope in some way reflects the helplessness we feel. City and suburb dwellers see blanket rain coverage for days and yet there seems to be no end to ‘our water crisis’. Doesn’t something seem wrong here?
Privatise the Murray-Darling River System
This article argues in favour of the privatisation of the Murray-Darling River System by advancing four main arguments in favour of privatisation.
The Privatisation of Telstra
This article argues in favour of the privatisation of Telstra, with a defense of private property in general and an application to Telstra.
