My last blogblurt was quite innocuous; although the title contained the words “weapons” and “campaign” and it did mention that the Man could be foolish. On my next visit to the site, I noticed an ad tag in the header: “Conservative Politics”.
Now, I have 1 blog friend, who hasn’t had a blog since 4 June. I have not received any feedback or comment on my call to increase the global campaign against the necktie (do not despair – we shall overcome). The point is why and how was I so identified?
My conclusion is that it was done by machine, which I resent. Politics are matters of the heart as much as the head. I do not believe that the intertwining recipe of intellect and emotion can be replicated by machine. Ergo: I cannot deny the utilitarian value of stereotypes, but I can resent it.
However, on occasion, the odd anarchic tactic may justifiably or at least understandably, be used to assuage the bruised psyche, (surely? … if used only moderately) Tough tofu, you word weed wimp – you are what you are labelled; machines don’t recognise slimy grovels… do they?
To hell with it, I will perservere, like the Crusader, whose name I bear, in the path of virtue & righteousness (I refute his religious intolerance though, without which, he would not have gone a-crusading , I suppose).
Soo, check my tags out next week, let’s see if I garner any more Big Bro interest and labels.
Get off my back, Jack – political values change, like people; tolerance is elastic and the centre moves!
I am unique & and reject your label.
Wow! I am so radical…yeah right!
Month: Jul 2006
Nepotism starts at home…
.. so to speak. Alliances are basic human instincts. I am sure that the hairy fellas who lived in caves banded together to take on the Mammoth and protect themselves from Ol’ Sabre Tooth Tigger.
Keeping it in the family is surely good and acceptable practice?
In Wikipedia, nepotism is categorised as political corruption, along with cronyism and simony.
The word nepotism comes from the Latin word ‘nepos’, meaning “nephew”. In the Middle Ages, some Catholic popes and bishops, who had taken vows of chastity, raised their illegitimate sons as “nephews” and gave them preferences.
Governments are particularly susceptible to accusations of cronyism as they spend public money. Many democratic governments are encouraged to have transparency in their accounting and contracting processes. However, there is often no clear line to denote when an appointment constitutes “cronyism.”
Simony is the ecclesiastical crime and personal sin of paying for offices or positions, named after Simon Magus who offerred the disciples of Jesus payment for the power to perform miracles.
My squeal, ‘cos that’s what it is, is about my son who has been a victim of political corruption. He was by far the best bowler of his age group at the local cricket club: he had 5 x 5 wicket hauls in 10 matches; he was also Most Valuable Player last season. But …. he wasn’t selected to represent the age group team, nor was he given any recognition by the club. I have surmised the reason to be that he didn’t go to the school where the selectors coach, nor the Academy where 1 of those coaches is employed.
On receipt of my complaint, the club mumbled ” … more transparency in future…”.
My point is this: Me ‘n you must hold any community or national representative organisation to transparency all the time!! That is the only way to keep democracy alive.
The rules must be:
- Tell us what you’re gonna do
- How you’re gonna do it
- Then do it like that
If you don’t, you get fired, just like Nixon.
This applies to your club, your church, your schools – everywhere you have a connection.
Cry “Ahem” .. and let slip the guard dogs of democracy!!
The Flying Dutchman
…you may know the legend of the Flying Dutchman: doomed to sail the seas forever … unable to land anywhere … (he shot an albatross or something, so probably deserves his plight)
I still grapple (not so hard these days, I admit) with thoughts about who I am and where do I belong. I have been a citizen of 5 countries. The country where I was born, the country of my citizenship at birth and the country where at least 7 generations of my direct ancestors, (including my parents) were born, ALL refused to give me citizenship! I have never shot an albatross, am not insane (noticeably) nor have I criminal convictions or ever been insolvent. I have a university degree, my own house & only 1 family.
There are floods of refugees from the north into South Africa and from there to other countries in & out of Africa. There are also floods of people to other countries, like North Africans to France, Turks to Germany, Indians & Chinese to anywhere. (This is beginning to take a race tinged rant – it was not meant to be! )
What my point is: politics define & label citizenship, the heart defines belonging – I guess I belong to the world ….. or the world belongs to me! (Certainly the Springboks don’t stir me much anymore ..nor do the All Blacks or the Irish).
My planned visit to my birth country should shake up some thoughts… do I have to belong?
I am distressed at the horrors that have been perpertrated in the name of Patriotism & God
I think politicians need to be saints & matyrs to avoid Hell! If not they should be sent to join the Flying Dutchman!
Return to Basic Values
Thoughts generated by ackerman’s friend vortigern, commenting on the savage retaliation of Israel against the Hizbollah in Lebanon, which included killing civilians, as well as the terrorist bombings in Mumbai, Madrid, London etc targetting civilians.
Basic instinct when faced by threat is fight or flight or submit: The strong protect their community by attacking the threat using appropriate means to remove it. The US reaction may be a bit too prolonged & extended to be justified for much longer – but their enemy is the faceless evil of anonymous evildoers who have no value on human life as potential sacrifice to their specific ends.
The Israeli reaction is quick & brutal like a scorpion’s tail. It says “don’t mess with me”. Sadly, civilians get killed. The policeman must be big & strong & quick to react to protect the community – people will get hurt on occasion, that must not stop the protective reaction. The difference is that civilians are not the target!
Evil needs to be captured and controlled before attempts are made to find out why they are evil & later seek ways to rehabilitate.
That is the law of the Jungle -from whence Man came & doesn’t really stay too far away.
(What do you think of that Anna?) 
sillysocksonfriday 