Category: Serious Commentary
Gitmo Vs Justice
This is my response to the following article about 5 alleged 9/11 masterminds, who have been held at Gitmo since 2002 still in pre-trial hearings: https://www.hrw.org/news/2016/07/26/dispatches-guantanamo-9/11-case-staggers No doubt due in large part to lack of mainstream media attention of ongoing…
Clinton vs Weiner: The Democrats Are Screwed?
Where are we and how did we get here? I am paraphrasing the words of Jim Stockdale in the 1992 US Vice Presidential debate. Those are also the words much of the American electorate asks near Election Day. A sure…
Is a Libertarian Vote for Trump Unconscionable?
The US Presidential Election is upon us. Faced with a binary choice, a Libertarian would rightly consider voting for Mr Trump over Secretary Clinton. Ask yourself which of the two “candidates” has a proven track record of choosing war? Was…
“I, for one, am not an anti-Neoliberal”
On the one hand, people who claim neoliberalism exists say that Hayek thought capitalism and free markets could aid democracy, but if not, well too bad! But on the other hand, people who claim neoliberalism exists say that Hayek was…
A Mini Manifesto
In the first blog post I ever published on the blog, Jonathan Arts and Critique, I said: I am: Pro peace, not merely anti war. Pro privacy, not merely anti state voyeurism. Pro speech, not merely anti censorship. Pro capitalism, not merely…
Ireland: Reproductive Agency is One Thing, Intrusive Meddling is Another
Some may feel yesterday’s piece on Amnesty International, abortion, and Ireland is flippant. I can certainly see why people might think that; but I am 100% unapologetic. However, I will now speak in a less polemical and satirical manner, and…
Dear England: You Can Support Abortion Availability Without Being An Imperialist
Amnesty International has tried to save more people from ourselves (this time, Irish people), with its campaigning on Ireland’s abortion laws. Of course, the situation for women in Ireland, north or south, is not perfect. But there is no excuse…
Uncritical Pro AND Anti Immigration Stances? Sentiment, not Reality
Just have a look at my comment below, for an article on the site of the publisher Verso Books: http://www.versobooks.com/blogs/2679-the-hegemonic-powers-of-the-eu-have-gone-one-step-too-far-on-governing-borders-and-the-right-to-move Immigration is nothing to do with the question of deserving or not deserving this or that. Immigration is an entitlement,…
The Remain & Leave Campaigns Have Been Vile. Let’s Move Forward & Get Down to Business
The referendum result has already been known for a while in the UK. The economy has taken a hit, for now. Both sides have behaved appallingly.
The UK Will Never Leave Europe: But Will We Have the Courage to Leave the EU?
Behind the distortions and exaggerations of both sides, one fact remains unshakable: Europe is not the EU. A ‘stay’ vote in tomorrow’s referendum is not a vote to remain in Europe. A ‘leave’ vote in tomorrow’s referendum is not a…