An open reply in kind
Moreton wrote: Troy, the next bit is only about me, I'm in no way referring to you in any part of it, ok?
I totally admit to emotionally based motives here. When I was a younger man I took the path a lot of reasonably smart, educated young city men do and adopted a "lefty" position to EVERYTHING.
Mate, I have actually become more left wing since I have gotten older and smarter.(Grew up in a very Liberal Party family) I am still very right wing on certain issues though. I only use those terms for convenience because others have put them into certain camps...to me, what I believe just makes sense if I can consistantly marry all or as many of my points of view as possible. For instance I believe in the nationalization of a country's resourses but I believe in compulsory national service and a reserve similar to the Swiss model. The social democracies of the Scandinavian countries appeal to me. I believe that certain strategic industries should never be in the hands of private companies..we have a telecommunications system that was once the envy of even the most advanced western countries but since privatisation probably even Mexico wouldn't want it. I do not believe in bleeding heart welfare states, but still strongly believe in social justice. Very "right wing" on Law and Order..capital punishment, shooting home intruders, tougher and longer sentences and making prisioners work for their keep..all good.
I went to a few young socialist meetings at uni, but quickly got into fierce arguments with the type..I guess like you Mort, left to everything. At the time there was the Timor saga and I got ****** off because everyone seemed to not give a toss about Western Papua...One of the reasons I will never go to Bali, I will never give the Indonesians a single dollar of my money.
Certain things I find hilarious though..the idea that looking after the planet and our children, and children's children
ad infinitum is a lefty thing, and the idea (sold to the working man) that the interests of captains of industry (Packer/Murdoch etc) coincide with their prey,sorry consumers, us.
The Australian Alex Carey says it nicely..
The 20th century has been characterised by three developments of great political importance. The growth of democracy; the growth of corporate power; and the growth of corporate propaganda as a means of protecting corporate power against democracy. That's not left, that's a simple historical fact. Hitler is simply the benchmark for politics of the modern era.
Moreton wrote:Most times I opposed things I had absolutely no idea about, and really had no right to such strident opinions. If I'm really honest I'll admit that like all the other young male lefties, it was affectation, adopted because the kind of girls that attracted me, were attracted to left-wing, protest everything, self proclaimed morally superior young men!! That's right, my self-righteousness was driven by pure, simple, hormonally motivated lust, and nothing else.
Mate, I'm well familiar with lust..luckily for me I was just looking for the girls that were giving it away..left, right and centre. I always argued my point of view until I was convinced that I was in error. Fortunately final found the best woman..although she never thought she would marry an atheist. I never undermine her faith but take every opportunity to drag religious organisations through the historical mud.
Moreton wrote:When I grew up a bit, cleaned up and stopped having bongs & political discussion for breakfast ( always earnest and serious discussion about how awful Western Society is and how much better it could be...if only people like us were in charge.
)
I enjoy political discussions anytime, but only with the right type of people. The ones that are genuinely trying to find a right place for their point of view. The ones that treat an exchange of ideas as a dialogue, of the type that Socrates would recognise. I generally work out the type that is only determined to be right fairly quickly..like Robert Heinlein says.."You can teach pigs to sing, it only wastes your time and annoys the pigs."
Moreton wrote:I could see that what I was doing was fake and false, and that so many of the issues that I and the rest of these type of folk get themselves all upset about are way more complex than we were ever willing to admit. I started to notice the hypocrisy of our "beliefs" (were they ever really beliefs, or just affectations adopted?) and the selfishness and self-righteousness of myself and the guys I chose to hang with.
So everything was a fascarde? I find that hard to believe Mort. If the issues were complex then dig deeper, there is still plenty to be angry about. Watch "Erin Brockervich" again. Think of what she exposed as a social cochroach..for every one that is seen or exposed there are a hundred more in the cupboard.
Moreton wrote:These days I can't stand it when an apparently earnest young, heart-on-sleeve wearing fool who's never been out of some Red Hill smack den tries to defame farmers for supporting their families as best they can, and I admit I oppose them on everything because I don't want them to have any wins at all, y'know?
People should be defamed who deserve to be defamed, farmer and protestor alike. No one should be denied supporting their families. Unfortunately the system allows too many people not to support their families. But IF in supporting your family you need to use say DDT because it is cheaper..is that OK? Or if your farming technique or crop is suited to an environment with 1000mm of rainfall and you live where there is 100mm ergo slowly destroying the land with salinity...is that OK? Just like smart arses from the city not knowing enough, I can remember episodes of Landline where it seemed to me that many farmers didn't really know the land, they only knew what they knew. Very resistant to learning..just use the next wonder fertiliser. Farmers in my opinion are not a special species, but it can be a tough life and city people can and do take them for granted.
While I may resent someone who's overall position I'm opposed to having valid points along the way, I will always accept and admit my acceptance of those points. All the better to help them see your way if there has been common ground or points along the way.
Moreton wrote:Might have something to do with having a smart daughter who's on the brink of adolescence, and knowing what boys are capable of having once been one. Might be guilt over some of the nonsense I spoke trying to impress girls with just how "alternative" I once was, who knows?
Childish and immature I know, but honest at least, huh?
I'd love a daughter, right up until puberty. Then I'd take her to a nunnery. But remember women are not the victims they want you to think they are. Don't feel too guilty.
Moreton wrote:Apart from that, if P.E.T.A. don't like hunting, fine, don't hunt then, P.E.T.A members! But why do they have to try to rob others of a lawful hobby ( some say lifestyle) they love? I detest "celebrities" and the whole cult of "celebrity" but would never attempt to have them banned, or even bad-mouth them.
If I were famous, I would use my fame to broadcast my intelectual position on issues I felt strongly about..for instance what ever movie or show I was in I would make apoint of drinking water from a tap as LONGBOWINFECTED pointed out earlier. The bottled water explosion is simply stupid beyond discription. I'm against PETA banning hunting in general as well. Stopping wanton slaughter, protecting endangered species, stopping cruel or indiscriminate hunting practices well that would be a different matter.
Of course most celebrities are complete fops and who's opinions I am generally not interested in. Even the celebrities I like. I can actually remember the reason I stopped watching 60 minutes 2 decades past..celebrity interview!! It was the start of the news and current affairs becoming a marketing platform.
Moreton wrote:While I have your attention, Troy, how's little Huxley going?? Or is his name Aldous? One or the other, I remember that much! Poor, forgetful old bugger I am!
Mate, Huxley is fantastic. I can't wait to get home and see him every day. His personality is developing as well as his language skills..pushing Luisa to give him a bit more Italian, luckily her mother is helping with that. Really love to get out to Coochie soon for a picnic before the weather gets too hot. Sundays are about the only day I have free so if you are interested then please let me know. We'll talk Chomsky and Neitzche, with alittle bit of Bear, Hill and Ishi thrown in for good measure.
I'll leave you with a quote from the most excellent P.J. O'Rourke
Anyway, no drug, not even alcohol, causes the fundamental ills of society. If we're looking for the source of our troubles, we shouldn't test people for drugs, we should test them for stupidity, ignorance, greed and love of power.