by cameron | May 26, 2009 | Christianity, geopolitics, US politics
While there is some doubt as to the author of this article in AlterNet (the byline says it’s by Clive Anderson, while the bio down the bottom says it’s by Australia’s own Clive Hamilton), the subject matter is fascinating. And a little bemusing. I had always assumed that George W. Bush’s religiosity was a sham, a cynical attempt to convince the unthinking American God-fearing public to go along with his crazy schemes. This article, however, claims that Bush told French President Jacques Chirac that:
"This confrontation is willed by God, who wants to use this conflict to erase his people’s enemies before a New Age begins".
Apparently Chirac himself confirms this in a new book published in France last March and the conversation had been published earlier by a French theology professor who the French government turned to for clarification about what the hell Bush might have been talking about.
I seriously never thought of Bush as really nuts. I figured he just put on the whole Jesus-lovin’ Texan ol’ boy routine purely as manipulation, just as a way to squeeze extra votes out of the Religious Right. Could I have been wrong? Is Bush simply insane?
And if Obama continues his "war" in Afghanistan (I still laugh at how the US likes to declare that it’s a war but refuse to classify their prisoners as Prisoners Of WAR under the Geneva Convention), is he perpetuating Bush’s Holy Jihad?
Yet again we see Christianity used as a justification for the murder of tens of thousands of civilians. It’s just another reason why we need to treat Christianity in the same way we treat any other intolerant, violent philosophy – with extreme disdain and our own (non-violent) intolerance.
by cameron | May 16, 2009 | climate change
John Quiggin blogs about a slap down of climate change skeptic Ian Plimer that ran in the Australian recently:
In the Oz of all places, a demolition of Ian Plimer so scathing, and so convincing, that it’s hard to imagine how he can salvage any kind of academic reputation, other than by a full retraction (which would be a pretty impressive move, admittedly).
As Plimer seems to be the last person of any credibility denying human-caused climate change in Australia, this has got to be a blow for his supporters.
by cameron | May 14, 2009 | Brisbane, Podcast, Uncategorized
This coming Monday (May 18th) I will be participating in a debate at QPAC on the topic “Can Your Mobile Save The Planet?”. I am taking the NO position (well I’ve been told that the position I have to take) and you know that I AM THE WORLD’S GREATEST DEBATER! I DEBATE ALL OF THE TIME. Some people have said that I’m a mass debater – but I don’t want to stroke my own… ego.
Anyway…
Details here.
There are still limited tickets available and as a special offer to the Podcast Network listeners you can get a ticket for just $25 instead of $45. Simply on the registration page click TPN Member – and use keyword “planet”. After the event is Mobile Monday Brisbane where Keith Ahern from Australia’s leading iPhone developers MoGeneration will be showcasing how to get into the App store… so if you’re interested in the latest mobile tech stuff come along to that as well.
by cameron | Apr 25, 2009 | banksters, capitalism
I’ll admit that, until now, I’ve never wondered much about where money comes from. However, after watching this video, I am totally fascinated by the concepts it explores. I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the content or how it applies in Australia, but nevertheless, it’s a terrific video that everyone should watch.
The basic premise of the video is that the monetary system we have in the West is a complete fraud and totally unstable as it is built on the foundation that money is created by the banking system through issuing debt. When they agree to loan you (or a corporation or a government) money, they literally create that money out of nowhere. Watch and learn more. I’ll no doubt be talking about this during next week’s live show which will feature @brad_fidler talking about the origins of – and possible alternatives to – capitalism.
The video was created by Paul Grignon and I was pointed to it by @lelaissezfaireisover.
http://vimeo.com/moogaloop.swf?clip_id=2244372&server=vimeo.com&show_title=1&show_byline=1&show_portrait=0&color=&fullscreen=1
Money as Debt from RoneTyne on Vimeo.
by cameron | Apr 16, 2009 | Podcast
On G’Day World Live this week my guest was Fi Bendall from Bendalls Group. Fi is one of Australia’s best known digital strategists who has worked with clients from MTV to Amnesty. She came on to chat about how social media is challenging corporate cultures in Australia and what needs to happen before those companies will be ready to embrace things like Twitter. You can follow Fi on Twitter.
G’Day World Live broadcasts every Tuesday evening, 8pm AEST. Join in the fun! Lately it’s been running for about four hours – I play guitar and we talk about all the things you’re not supposed to talk about in polite company – from politics to religion, sex, social media and single malt whisky.
And finally, please support TPN’s April drive! We need your support!
If you want to keep TPN on the air, please show your support. If just the listeners of this show contributed $20 a month, I could fund TPN indefinitely! Is the information and entertainment you get from TPN worth a bottle of cheap wine?
http://widget.chipin.com/widget/id/d3b7a44909380763
