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"Smoking: Society, Health and the Freedom of Choice" by Vexen Crabtree (2007) Tags: cancer, cigarettes, democracy, fags, freedom, health, human rights, public health, smoke, smoking, smoking in public
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New page: "The European Union: The Euro, Democracy, Crises and Migration" by Vexen Crabtree: The European Union is formed from a collection of treaties dating back to the European Economic Community founded in 1957. It has changed from an economic body designed to prevent war, into a wide and varied economic, social and political tool. Here are some of my notes on this growing megalith. Contents:- Multispeed Europe Versus The United States of Europe
- The Euro
- The Successful Promotion of Democracy and Achievement of Regional Peace and Stability
- The EU is Always in Crises
- Crises: Popular Disillusionment with the EU
- EU Immigration and Internal Migration
- Strengthened Democracy Against Lawless Multinationals
Tags: democracy, economics, euro, europe, european union, multinationals, politics
Current Location: Camden, London, UK
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Democracy: Its Foundations and ChallengesBringing together various texts I had on the challenges to democracy ( special interest groups, single-issue parties, mass stupidity, mass ignorance and voter apathy), and adding a little intro on the 'building blocks' of democracy: Authority, regulation of power, the voting-out of parties, a free press, freedom of expression and the division of powers. The conclusion reads: "Democracy, the control of the direction of government and the granting of its authority by the people, needs to be actively watched and defended. Special interest groups and single-issue lobbies (as well as parties) can, through their hearty activism, undermine democracy by giving certain an out-of-proportion focus at the expense of general good governance. Large multinational companies are able to outmanouvre and ignore local governments, which sometimes places them above-the-law. Mass stupidity and voter apathy means that the people normally vote (if they vote at all) on short-sighted, shallow and unimportant issues, which reduces the ability of government to make required sacrifces to overcome long-term problems. If the people vote on good-sounding but shallow policies, only good-sounding but shallow (short-term) parties will be elected. This is potentially disasterous and represents the biggest threat to democracy. Solution to these threats include increased inter-governmental agreements on Law and Order, Trade and Industry Regulations (such as occurs within the EEC, etc), and multi-government agencies such as the UN and EU bring international commerce back within the reach of authority. To overcome the problems of mass stupidity and ignorance, meritocratic systems should be tested and implemented in addition to tried-and-tested methods of political revitalisation and public education. Despite weaknesses, the strengths of democracy make it the sole superior method of governance and it has shown itself in history to be most capable of allowing human development (technological and moral), granting human rights and protecting the rights of citizens against corporations and government abuse. To this end, it is the duty of developed, stable democratic countries (such as the USA, Europe, India, Japan, etc) to help governments who rule countries with little stability. where history, strife and conflict divide the people, and for international institutions to declare and defend clear universal Human Rights." Tags: democracy, globalism, governments, politics, stupidity, un
Current Location: Germany
Listening To: "Democracy" by Killing Joke
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"Developed Nations have a Responsibility to Defend the Civilized World" by Vexen Crabtree (2006) Tags: arms industry, army, britain, civilisation, culture, defence, democracy, europe, germany, military, scandinavia, uk, violence, war, western
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Nigeria is on the verge of public stonings after adopting Islamic Sharia law [2] Nigeria has recently adopted Muslim Sharia law. One woman, Amina Lawlal is sentanced to death by stoning for having a child outside of marriage, and there are two other such horrific public executions waiting to happen, although as yet none have been carried out. Election campaigning is believed to be the reason why these cases have suffered delays. Another woman under simlar charges was let off after a massive worldwide outcry. Presently, more than 2 million people have signed the petition, I signed it 2 weeks ago it is simple. Sign it here: http://www.amnistiaporsafiya.org/ (for instructions, visit the National Secular Society's homepage at the URL below) What we learn from this: NEVER ALLOW RELIGIOUS BELIEFS TO FORM PART OF GOVERNMENT OR LAW MAKING PROCESS. So, for example, Sunday trading laws, anti-homosexuality, etc, should be opposed as should any law that exists only because of religious beliefs. Such things are a slippery slope. Do not accept EVEN YOUR OWN religous beliefs as part of common law. Third world countries and the USA have problems about this, so do Muslim countries and Greece, due to it's Christianity. [2] 2003 Mar 28 NSS newsline http://www.secularism.org.uk/newspress/news28mar3t.htmTags: democracy, islam, nigeria, politics, religion, religious intolerance, sharia
Current Mood:  awake
Listening To: "Shaven" by Funker Vogt
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weird
busy
loved