Day: June 2, 2010

Why Is “Liberal” A Dirty Word?

Inkwell Institute

Subject:  Governance/Liberalism/Political Theory

Paper #16

Correction:  For some reason this post was posted on 3 May 2010 and it was suppose to be on 31 May 2010.  Probably one of my many brain farts in a day.

When DID “Liberal” become a dirty word?  As far as I can tell it began back in the 80’s and it kept morphing through the 90’s and until today when it is a vile attack on a person who may have an opposing view of government than a conserv.  No longer is there any toleration for opposing ideology, instead it is to attack and demonize.  I am sure that in the past that opposites did mumbling insults…but it was just that a mumble and in the end they could still be civil to each other and respect each others ideology….those day are gone!  Now it is easier to throw insults than to have a substantive debate or exchange…this is so sad on so many levels….the most important it spits in the face of the Founders….and secondly, it is so much crap!

Modern liberalism was become a dirty word to most conservatives, especially those on the extreme Right that spend their time demonizing their fellow Americans to gain some minor political advantage…and then you have those who try to reduce ideas to catch phrases and simplistic mind games, instead of having a realistic exchange of ideas……personally, I think that they are the most useless of individuals and definitely un-American, to use one of the INSULTS the pea brains throw around.  Yes, I have NO use for these demented little pricks.

With my anger out of the way….let us look at modern liberalism…..

Modern Liberalism is basically defined by a set of beliefs.  These being individuality, positive freedom, social liberalism and economic management  Individuality means that the individual is promoted to refine their intellect, their skills and knowledge, and their sensibilities.  Positive Freedom is the ability to develop and attain individuality through the realization of his/her potential and achieve personal fulfillment.  The state cannot force people to act in a good way, but it can provide the conditions for reasonable moral decisions.  Now, social liberalism……where the government or state seeks to help society overcome poverty, disease and ignorance.  In the 20th century governments sought to achieve national efficiency, a healthier work force and stronger standing armies.  Finally there is economic management…..the modern liberal does NOT believe in a self-regulating market or laissez faire capitalism.  They believe that unregulated   capitalism  will bring about low investment, and social fragmentation or a complete breakdown.

In conclusion, the modern liberal embraces the tenants of social liberalism, personal growth, enabling state, managed economy, social responsibility, the welfare state and the desire to eliminate poverty.

This is a stark polar opposite of the conservative, which will be described in my next lesson…

Is Korean Story A Blowjob?

Inkwell Institute

International Studies

Asian Desk

We have all heard the horrible story of the dastardly N. Koreans that torpedoed a S. Korean ship…the world exploded in a wealth of condemnation and pure pissed off-ness.  My loyal reader and friend over at Quintessential Havoc (blogroll will get you to an excellent and insightful site) have had a few exchanges on the situation….we have agreed that if true N. Korea should be made to pay for this break in international protocol.

But since our original exchange took place not all the info had been made public and I would like to pass unto everyone interested in the unfolding of this story…..this from New America Media (I am NOT claiming this is what happened only that there is a bunch of questions)….

There’s yet another possibility, that a U.S. rising mine sank the Cheonan in a friendly-fire accident.

The first telltale sign of an official smokescreen involves the location of the Choenan sinking – Byeongnyeong Island (pronounced Pyongnang) in the Yellow Sea. On the westernmost fringe of South Korean territory, the island is dominated by a joint U.S.-Korean base for anti-submarine warfare (ASW) operations. The sea channel between Byeongnyeong and the North Korean coast is narrow enough for both sides to be in artillery range of each other.

Anti-sub warfare is based on sonar and acoustic detection of underwater craft. Since civilian traffic is not routed through the channel, the noiseless conditions are near-perfect for picking up the slightest agitation, for example from a torpedo and any submarine that might fire it.

North Korea admits it does not possess an underwater craft stealthy enough to slip past the advanced sonar and audio arrays around Byeongnyeong Island, explained North Korean intelligence analyst Kim Myong Chol in a news release. “The sinking took place not in North Korean waters but well inside tightly guarded South Korean waters, where a slow-moving North Korean submarine would have great difficulty operating covertly and safely, unless it was equipped with AIP (air-independent propulsion) technology.”

Once again….I am NOT claiming to have all the answers just that there are a few things that are not being said in the media or by the admin…

The World Is Watching!

From the SCRIPTORIUM

The world is watching a well head located a mile below the surface of the Gulf of Mexico…….and what do they see?  The massive oil flow has been replaced with a massive mud flow coming from the broken pipe…and some say that this “top kill” technique may be working at helping seal the ruptured oil pipe….

If true it is all so much good news for us here on the Gulf Coast…believe me we need some good news with the latest Hurricane prediction was not so good for the upcoming season.

The live feed from the Gulf floor is compelling…it is like a train wreck that you cannot stop looking at …..but the feed appears to show no oil escaping, just drilling mud blow back….but that begs an answer to a couple of questions (yes, there is always questions)

1–is the sight of the mud blow back just covering up the oil as it continues to escape?

2–Is the mud sealing the leak or is it just being forced back out?

3–Is the pumping of mud just a smoke screen which is doing nothing to give the relief well a chance to punch through and solve the problem?

Update:  Not important now….the Top Kill failed and now on to the next big idea…..cut off pipe install new valve…..I am beginning to think that the “best” minds are anything but that…..if that fails…it looks like the 2 relief wells will be the answer the whole time…..was all this just a cover and the 2 wells were the answer the whole time?