harrystottle's favorite liberty pages, page 1

Last login: 13 hours agoHarrystottle: Harry is a guy from Bristol, England, UK.; Likes 3,770 pages, 126 videos, 20 photos • 95 fans • Received 13 reviews; Member since Oct 03, 2005

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http://www.givemeliberty.org/rtplawsuit/courtfilings/quebec1774.pdf: Aug 19, 3:04pm 1 review anarchism, quotations, democracy, liberty
http://www.givemeliberty.org/rtplawsuit/courtfilings/quebec1774.pdf; Genuine historical documents. In this case the words of the founders of the US Constitution presenting a resolution to the inhabitants of Quebec (presumably seeking to encourage them to join the struggle against the Crown) in October 1774. It reveals the true thinking behind the major Rights enshrined in the constitution:

Just in case you can't face reading it yourself, here is the main meat. Italics are the original emphasis. Bold is mine. (and anything in Brackets is mine as well)

"In this form, the first grand right, is that of the people having a share in their own government by their representatives chosen by themselves, and, in consequence, of being ruled by laws, which they themselves approve, not by edicts of men over whom they have no controul (sic) This is a bulwark surrounding and defending their property, which by their honest cares and labours they have acquired, so that no portions of it can legally be taken from them, but with their own full and free consent, when they in their judgement deem it just and necessary to give them for public service, (This is the principle of VOLUNTARY Taxation - the only form which libertarians and anarchists can endorse. Modern example? The UK National Lottery - whose takings are dedicated to the "good causes" and the sporting cultivation which has begun to pay dividends in Beijing).

The influence of this right extends still farther. If money is wanted by Rulers, who have in any manner oppressed the people, they may retain it, until their grievances are redressed; and thus peacably procure relief, without trusting to despised petitions(a particularly interesting phrase, given that I found this document while reading about the sacred right to petition - more on this later)

The last right we shall mention, regards the freedom of the press. The importance of this, besides the advancement of truth, science, morality, and arts in general, in its diffusion of liberal sentiments (this was clearly in the days when all parties understood liberty and liberal values and didn't regard "liberal" as some kind of insult; a truly psychotic modern response) on the administration of Government, its ready communication of thoughts between subjects, and its consequential promotion of union among them, whereby oppressive officers are shamed or intimidated, into more honourable and just modes of conducting affairs

Would someone care to remind the "free press" of the primary political purpose of their freedom?

Opinion - The Independent: Aug 11, 4:02pm 1 review politics, satire, liberty, police-state
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/the-daily-cartoon-760940.html?ino=43; genius

Opinion - The Independent: Aug 11, 3:59pm 1 review satire, liberty, police-state
http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/the-daily-cartoon-760940.html?ino=31; Withering Rights - beautiful!

McDonald's defiant as homophobes call for boycott - from Pink News - all …: Jul 19, 4:15pm 42 reviews politics, liberty
http://www.pinknews.co.uk/news/articles/2005-8218.html; ouch. It hurts to have to give a thumbs up to something McDonalds are doing but can't be avoided on this occasion...

BBC - Radio 4 - The NHS at 60: The Cost of Health: Jul 8, 1:31am 1 review health, economics, liberty, social-medicine
http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/factual/costofhealth_20080708.shtml?comment=response; An example of the "Wrong Question". In this case "Should we restrict access to health care for those who are partially responsible for their own poor health?" (eg smokers and the obese) It is also an example of how socialised service provision opens up the path to totalitarianism as argued in "The Road To Serfdom". It is naively based on the notion that the community is paying the full costs of the health service and thus accrues the right to tell potential patients how to behave.

In fact, the only relevant "rule" is that people should pay any costs they incur. As some commenters point out, smokers and drinkers already pay huge taxes. In fact, smokers pay more than 6 times the costs they incur. But this is NOT true of drinkers. Their health costs are probably covered, but not the social costs of violence and physical destruction which accompanies the consumption of alcohol in too many cases. But that implies an increase in the price of alcohol NOT restrictions on access to treatments for harm.

The same logic should apply to all forms of harm either to self or 3rd parties. Tax the harm causing activity to the full extent of the costs which society incurs and then the issue of rationing and nanny statism melts away.

Scientific Blogging: Is 2012 the year the internet as we know it ends?: Jun 14, 3:44pm 3 reviews internet, news, liberty, manufacturing-consent
http://video.scientificblogging.com/item/L3KF8BB333NCH03F; This might be the ISPs wet dream, and even the politicians. But I can't see how they could ever get close to achieving this level of control. The technology is moving far faster than either the law or the market understands. Any plans being made today to try to dominate the web tomorrow are automatically suspect and probably extremely naive. Which is not to say that there's nothing to worry about. What we can reasonably be concerned about is that there really are imbeciles out there, who think that this kind of control would be a good thing. THAT should keep you awake nights...

BBC - Radio 4 - PM: Jun 12, 9:09am 1 review terrorism, democracy, liberty, police-state
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/pm/2008/06/david_davis_resigns_as_an_mp.shtml; This is Davis' full statement...

42-day terror detention: British public overwhelmingly in favour , poll shows -…: Jun 12, 7:56am 1 review terrorism, democracy, liberty, police-state
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/2107480/42-day-terror-detention-Britis...; This is an example of the Case Against Democracy. If We The People really are this stupid and this easily frightened, it is easy to argue that they don't deserve to govern themselves. They need to be looked after like the children they mentally still are. The Terrorists have won a major victory.

BBC NEWS | Have Your Say | Will 42 days detention help in terror investigations…: Jun 12, 7:47am 1 review terrorism, democracy, liberty, police-state
http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?sortBy=2&forumID=4931&start=15&ts...; Strange to punt a comment page but what is interesting about it is that NONE of the comments I read in the first 10 pages offer even a shred of support for the dictatorship. So where is the alleged support revealed in opinion polls coming from?

This slice of flat Yorkshire land is certain to re-elect David Davis | Politics …: Jun 12, 7:40am 1 review terrorism, liberty, police-state, id-cards, trusted-surveillance
http://www.guardian.co.uk/politics/2008/jun/12/daviddavis.byelections; Davis is one of the few MPs who showed some sympathy for my ID Card proposals. Clearly he actually understands what's at stake here. Which is more than can be said for the majority of MPs and the entirety of Government. What really pisses me off, though, is how 'king dumb We The People seem to be with regard to this issue. Opinion polls actually show support for the 42 days. Imbeciles.