2020 is shaping up as another 'annus horribilis'

There are a few important topics I want to cover in this month's blog, so I shall address each of them. I originally had a section on the Cardinal Pell decision of the High Court, but that is such an important critique, it deserved its own post, that's called 'The Fool, The Fraud and the High Court, in defence of the jury', I hope you find time to read it too.

The Pandemic and 'Freedoms'

As the Coronavirus continues to wreak havoc all around the world, there are no shortage of village idiots who think this is some big hoax. The very best argument they tend to come up with is that this is no different from the common flu and people, especially older and persons with underlying conditions should just “accept that some people will inevitably die, and why are we prolonging their departure” (I am of course paraphrasing that idiot of Australian politics Tony Abbott). I mean he’s not the only one, there are millions of Trump followers who espouse the very same beliefs and rile at Governors in the US who have mandated the use of masks, as ‘infringing their freedom’ not to have to wear a mask.

The lack of knowledge, education and history displayed by these people is staggering. Liberty or libertarianism is not grounded in the idea that we all can ‘do whatever we want … because we are free', that is absolute garbage. Anyone who espouses that view is simply showing how ignorant they are, and nothing more.

Thomas Hobbes (1588-1689) treaties ‘Leviathan’ published in 1651 is a brilliant observation of the social contract that all ‘democracies’ employ as part of that great ideal of libertarianism. Hobbes thesis is grounded in the reality that in order NOT ‘to live in a state of war’, where everyone does as they please and it is simply the survival of the strongest and meanest, we all accept to form a ‘Commonwealth’ wherein we ALL give up some of our own liberties to achieve a ‘state of peace’ wherein legislation governs all our interactions and where we are all equal before the law. His (Hobbe's) idea of a commonwealth is analagous with the form of modern democracy enjoyed by us in Australia; we too have the same soverign.

Leviathan argues for a social contract and rule by an absolute sovereign. Hobbes wrote that civil war and the brute situation of a state of nature ("the war of all against all") could be avoided only by strong, undivided government.

"THE final cause, end, or design of men (who naturally love liberty, and dominion over others) in the introduction of that restraint upon themselves, in which we see them live in Commonwealths, is the foresight of their own preservation, and of a more contented life thereby; that is to say, of getting themselves out from that miserable condition of war which is necessarily consequent, as hath been shown, to the natural passions of men when there is no visible power to keep them in awe, and tie them by fear of punishment to the performance of their covenants..."

So, next time someone is trying to tell you that wearing a mask is infringing their ‘freedoms’, remind them of Hobbe’s observations made so very long ago.

As for the what is happening here in Australia with the lockdowns and border closures, these are all necessary measures to try to control this virus which lives in a host (person). I applaud the leaders who have considered this a major health initiative and necessary to protect their citizens. That is why we elect governments, to govern in the interests of ALL, not just some.

If we were in any doubt about the propensity of this virus to effect millions without discrimination, we only need look at the second wave engulfing most of continental Europe and the US at this very time. The numbers of infection and deaths are rising so rapidly in this second wave. Ten's of thousands of infections and ten's of thousands of deaths. 2020 is shaping up like a terrible horror show.

If we seriously want to contain this virus, there must be mandated mask wearing in ALL public areas and people MUST submit to disclosing their (traceable) presence at all public venues as well, it is not-negotiable.

Premier Gladys and the parlous state of State politics

They say that truth is stranger than fiction, and that phrase could not be truer for the state of NSW at the present moment. Our inept premier would have us believe she hooked up with disgraced MP Daryl Maguire for five years and was 'unaware' of his misuse of public office. She must think we live in la la land.

I actually heard her on the ABC on national TV say that:

"Minister's and Parliamentary Secretaries can carry out their own private activities whilst in Parliament, as long as they disclose it"

"I was never aware of any wrongdoing" "

"They are the rules, I don't make them..."

And then the phone intercepts have her saying to him; when he announces a big windfall:

"I don't need to know that".

Sorry luv, yes you do make the rules, and if you aren't aware of that little fact, your not fit to hold office. You don't need me to remind you, the standard you walk past, is the standard you accept. I've written time and again about 'dead wood' such as her, who couldn't work their way out of a paper bag (full of money) if their life depended on it.

Maguire is just the tip of a massive iceberg of corruption that plagues our nation.

Our politicians are inept & unethical (at best), and pobably outright criminal, (at worse). Special percunicary interests make up the majority of decsions of our Parliaments. Nothing will change until we eradicate the stronghold of the twin parasites eating Australia alive (Labor & the LNP).