On 25 September Kwame Anthony Appiah, who teaches philosophy and law at New York University, had a paywalled article titled ‘Watch What You Say’ published by the New York Review of Books. It is a fascinating read on his review of two books on free speech within an historical and contemporary perspective. Thomas Paine’s rightContinue reading “Free Speech – the ethics of conviction and the ethics of responsibility”
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Tucker Carlson ‘tuckered out’ with Donald Trump and Israel: insights for New Zealand rightwing politics
The origin of the expression ‘tuckered out’ goes back to the east of the United States around the 1830s. After New Englanders began to compare the wrinkled and drawn appearance of overworked and undernourished horses and dogs to the appearance of tucked cloth, it became associated with people being exhausted. Expressions such as this canContinue reading “Tucker Carlson ‘tuckered out’ with Donald Trump and Israel: insights for New Zealand rightwing politics”
Gaza doctor speaks truth to genocidal power; New Zealand government needs to listen, learn and act
In 1962 Bob Dylan released his famous Blowin’ in the Wind, a protest song that uses a series of rhetorical questions to challenge war, oppression and human inaction on social issues like racism and freedom. Young Bob Dylan’s lyrics applicable to today’s genocide of Gaza Palestinians It was released in the context of the American civilContinue reading “Gaza doctor speaks truth to genocidal power; New Zealand government needs to listen, learn and act”
Far right cannibalising the mainstream rightwing; implications for New Zealand
Until recently I used the terms ‘hard right’ and ‘far right’ interchangeably. Certainly, dictionary definitions didn’t substantively differentiate. Broadly speaking they refer to people in political parties or other organisations with extreme rather than moderate or compassionate rightwing views. However, in part influenced by observing the behaviour of the ACT and NZ First parties inContinue reading “Far right cannibalising the mainstream rightwing; implications for New Zealand”
The Ignoble Nobel: from Hitler to Kissinger to Machado
Much to the disappointment of US President Donald Trump, on 10 October the Norwegian Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to Maria Corina Machado. In the words of the Committee the award was “…for her tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela and for her struggle to achieve a just and peaceful transitionContinue reading “The Ignoble Nobel: from Hitler to Kissinger to Machado”
A sinking heart over Palestine non-recognition decision
After a period of political ‘game playing’ over making an announcement, insensitive given the tragic circumstances of the genocide in Gaza and increasing Palestinian expulsions on the West Bank, the Government has advised the United Nations General Assembly that it is not recognising Palestinian statehood. Winston Peters announced unconvincing non-recognition decision The decision was announcedContinue reading “A sinking heart over Palestine non-recognition decision”
Rhyming holocausts from the Herero in early 20th century to Gaza today
From time to time people assert that history is repeating itself. I don’t necessarily agree, depending on how far one wants to drill down. However, history does rhyme a lot (echo a lot is another way of expressing it). I thought of rhyming (or echoing) history when reading a paywalled article by Israeli-American historian OmerContinue reading “Rhyming holocausts from the Herero in early 20th century to Gaza today”
The Misrepresentation of Luddism
Whenever the terms Luddism and Luddites are used they are invariably used in a negative or derogatory manner. Calling something Luddism and people Luddites is intended as an insult, sometimes forcefully so. This is because it is associated with machine smashing by rural English labourers in the early 19th century. In other words, smashing theContinue reading “The Misrepresentation of Luddism”
There is a plot Mr Luxon: Its ethnic cleansing of Palestinians based on biblical justification
Prime Minister Christopher Luxon says his Israeli counterpart Benjamin Netanyahu has “lost the plot” and has condemned attacks on Gaza. It is among the strongest language the New Zealand leader has used against Netanyahu and comes amid reports of intense aerial attacks on Gaza after Israel’s decision to launch a fresh military operation. These areContinue reading “There is a plot Mr Luxon: Its ethnic cleansing of Palestinians based on biblical justification”
When the privatising rubber hits the climate change denial roads
First a disclosure. I’m the co-owner of a plug-in hybrid car. It cost in the vicinity of $20,000 more than if it had been completely petrol fuelled. A key factor in the purchase decision was to make a small contribution to reducing carbon emissions. Then along came the National-ACT-NZ First coalition government’s decision to introduceContinue reading “When the privatising rubber hits the climate change denial roads”
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