Day: February 21, 2010

How To Collapse A Government?

That the question that fringe parties or organizations have been asking for centuries, well maybe not that long, but a long time none the less…..they tried armed insurrection….sometimes it works and others it is a dud….then they have used the ballot box….not as effective as a gun, but what the hell not that many people croak in a vote…..so far all attempts have been only minor victories with more problems than they solve….so what is the proper way to collapse a government?

That question could turn into a massive discussion or worse a massive argument….but it seems our friends the Dutch have found a way and it does NOT involve ice skating!

The Dutch coalition government has collapsed amid a political row over whether to extend the country’s military mission in Afghanistan. Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende was due to submit his government’s resignation to Queen Beatrix later Saturday, leaving the future of its 1,600 soldiers stationed there uncertain.

After marathon talks that lasted till dawn Saturday, a visibly upset Dutch Prime Minister Jan Peter Balkenende announced there was in his words not enough trust to continue his three-party alliance, amid a row over the future of his country’s military mission in southern Afghanistan.

Mr. Balkenende told reporters he would offer the resignation of the current cabinet to the Dutch ceremonial head of state, Queen Beatrix. He says that he will offer the resignation of the ministers because there is “unfortunately no way forwards” for the coalition between his Christian Democrats and junior partners, the Labor Party and the Christian Union. He makes clear that Labor Party statements about Afghanistan have not only put the coalition under pressure but also what he calls “the care due” to Dutch men and women in Afghanistan and “the relationship with NATO partners.”

Fascinating!  Americans will look at this and chuckle…..but it is not that funny……that is one way to end a country’s involvement in an unpopular war….IMO, a parliamentary system does have its benefits…It would make US politics a bit more interesting and the possibility of a prolong war all but impossible…….I am sure that there is more to this story but for now it is just fascinating…….Thoughts?

Big Brother IS Watching!

A lot of people have used that term from the book “1984”….it has been used to categorize a lot of stuff the government is doing and how it could effect the people……the Patriot Act comes to mind….there has been a lot of things that have been predicted as Big Brother sticking his nose into ordinary people’s lives….and then there is France……

The lower house of the French parliament has approved a draft bill that will allow the state unprecedented control over the Internet. Although the government says it will improve security for ordinary citizens, civil rights activists are warning of a “new level” of censorship and surveillance.

For members of the French administration, it is a law against digital crime. For civil rights activists and politicians from opposition parties, it is a plan for censorship that excites fear and loathing — and even conjures up the specter of Big Brother and the surveillance state.

The new legislation could in the future force Internet service providers (ISPs) to shut off access to criminal sites, should they be officially instructed to do so. According to the draft legislation, the law “makes it the responsibility of each Internet service provider to ensure that users don’t have access to unsuitable content.”

Now that brings in the question….who will decide what is “unsuitable content”?  This is akin to someone decide which books I am allowed to read….my mother did not do it: government definitely does not have that right…..

I bring this to everyone’s attention because if it succeeds in France it will be coming to a country near you!  Today the French, tomorrow YOU!  Then BIG BROTHER will have his way and you will have your “security”……..While you were sleeping you have been losing your rights slowly but slowly…..Happy Now?