An "ist" with no "ism"

Spare a thought for the predicament of one John Gray. He is a philosopher and writes endlessly all over the place. The principal thread in his writings is a contempt for anyone who ever tried to write anything about how we might better live together. He shows utter disdain for all and every "ism" under the sun. Now I am as reluctant to subscribe to an "ism" as anyone and happily live with that, but poor Mr Gray, (perhaps from being a philosopher) has to be an "ist". His huge problem is that he is so destructive and disdainful of so many that he has nowhere left to go! He must have a system but can't find a system to suit!  Another argument against being an ist.

The American Revolution?

Is getting closer. When will it come? You thought it had happened? Sadly not. That thing back in 1776 or whenever was a war of independence but not a revolution. Rich Americans grabbing control from rich Brits does not make a revolution. The rich are still firmly in control and getting more ruthless exploitative and even richer. But - they are a tiny minority and if sensible people get together it should be a breeze. Being American it will of course be violent but that aspect fades with time and in any event if enough join in the thing might be a walkover - think Tunisia not Libya.
As Leonard Cohen sings: "Democracy is coming - to the USA" It will make great TV.

Paying Taxes is Good for Us

Countries differ in the levels of taxation. In general higher tax countries are healthier. No surprise. If we argue and debate and agree on something useful we might agree to fund it from taxation. In general then the things we buy through taxation are well considered and worthwhile. Contrast that with private spending - impulsive, ill considered purchases of largely trivial goods and services - the vendors of which laugh all the way to the bank. Higher taxation encourages us to spend a higher proportion of our income on worthwhile commodities and less on ephemeral nonsense.
Think about it!

Help!

My country is in serious trouble. My countrymen and women by a little inattention to detail have elected to govern us a party intent on destroying us. Not, I should point out a majority of my countrymen. Less than half the voters voted for this party and only half the electorate voted so there is some comfort in the fact that less than a quarter of those entitled to vote actually voted for them. But it has happened and by the wonders of proportional representation they won by  a landslide! It is a bit like Germany in1933 you take your eye off the ball and wake up with a monster in charge. And so we have. A strutting self important angry ignorant monster. He has done nothing constructive, has attacked the role of the courts, has committed us to dependence on wind and wave for electricity despite no credible technology for the latter and astonishing costs for the former. He is now seeking to relocate at vast cost his personal residence to a castle folly on a hill a little reminiscent of Bertesgarden!  Now well embarked on his campaign of destruction he has taken a lesson from the American Republican party and has played the religious card - apparently suggesting god will see him through!  Spare us a thought as we descend into darkness. I certainly will for you!

Knox Kercher

Kercher was murdered
Knox is acquitted. Did she do it?
We may never know.
If  she did not this is a compelling tribute to Italian Justice.
If she did,  she knows it and no matter her future it will take its toll. She will never rest again.
Best of a bad job.

Ants take on Goliath role in protecting trees in the savanna from elephants

Ants take on Goliath role in protecting trees in the savanna from elephants
Read and rejoice. Lots of little ants protecting enormous trees from giant elephants!  Think about it when your local  plutocrats want to grasp yet more of your community resources. If ants can do it so can you.

Further Imbalance

Having reflected on the imbalance between the three contributors to every commercial enterprise I must point out an equally disgraceful imbalance in the application of Freedom of Information legislation - at least in my own country. The legislation gives the public the right to information on a wide range of public enterprises - and none whatsoever on information about commercial enterprises. So if you wish information about your local public hospital the law supports you but if it is a private hospital  the law is silent. Why should commercial enterprises enjoy this right to secrecy? I leave you to speculate.