I have had far bigger twonks than that agree with before! During the old days on the BBS when we used to organise social events, it became almost tedious when loads of them, who would all be calling me all sorts of names on there, would sidle up to me in a bar/pub and tell me that actually they agreed with me on all kinds of issues.

Just lacked the courage to do it publicly.

Such is the way of the world. At least my Fenian chum has the balls to do it publicly. Lot to be said for that.

"The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command." - 1984 - George Orwell.

Yep, that's another thing about the left back in the eighties and before.....when they weren't in power they were all for free speech. In fact, a libertarian lefty was a highly common feature on the left.

However, as soon as they had majorities within the institutions (given to them by the right) they dropped their support for free speech and instead adopted the authoritarianism of the last twenty years. They censor, deplatform and gate keep. No one can claim that there is effective opposition to that on the left...it defines them now.

Now a libertarian on the left is a rarity. I'm prepared to believe that a fair amount of them were being honest in the past but since then the acquisition of power has corrupted them and the left in general. Free speech has long since been a non neo liberal issue....neo liberals believe in curated speech.

I've been highly cynical for years over the change....to quote one of their early authors, 'there is only power, those that have it and those that don't'.....in other words the claim of principles are purely a media device.

As for libertarianism....what a waste that proved to be...a noble but failed ideology....this meme sums it up.

Edited by Stirlingsays (05 Sep 2022 10.47pm)

Attachment: liberitarianism.JPG (135.21Kb)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

Apparently it's all kicking off now. Ukraine has made its big offensive play and seems to be going all in. I hear that Russia is transferring significant numbers to the fronts.

I have a feeling that the next two weeks are going to be exceptionally bloody.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

According to the Russians the Ukrainians are taking huge losses. I don't see them holding onto these gains, some of which weren't won by fighting but by Russian retreat to stronger lines.

The timing of it has been political and how this develops is going to be fascinating.

Edited by Stirlingsays (08 Sep 2022 5.16pm)

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)

If this somehow did go wrong for Russia and they lost their gains in east and south Ukraine I'd be particularly more worried for us here and for those in the US.

We would be far closer to unofficial world war and infrastructure would be under threat. I don't think most people really understand how rough the consequences are for bad moves here....they think that this war isn't going to come to them.

I frigging hope they are right. Personally I think we are ruled by irresponsible and unrealistic fools.

'Who are you and how did you get in here? I'm a locksmith. And, I'm a locksmith.' (Leslie Nielsen)