A quote from MIT Professor Noam Chomsky, "Unless people are controlled they are going to challenge power.". He goes on to say that this attitude has been taken for hundreds of years. So policies and rules and laws are created to control people, so to minimize the citizens' right to challenge authority, to question authority.
In New Zealand government agencies use the often quoted "rule" to hide details about business deals that are made, "these are configential business details" or "confidential business information". This rule is sited so often as to make it impossible for a member of the public to determine if corruption is taking place.
In the United States, business transactions are rarely considered "secret" without there being any detriment to the businesses conducting the business. If a business gives a special, low price to a government agency they say that it's special and explain that this low price is not available to the public.
What is the New Zealand governemnt actually hiding when they claim "confidential business information"?
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Monday, May 2, 2011
Are they telling the truth?
Recent news reports imply that New Zealand SAS forces have turned a blind eye to mistreatment of Afghanistan detainees. They either viewed mistreatment by Afghan officials, or turned detainees over to U.S. forces where mistreatment and torture was likely.
New Zealand officials and politicians deny the allegations with the usual and predictable statements.
Are the New Zealand officials telling the truth? I say "No". They are lying. If Wikileaks has taught us anything, it is that the government lies to its citizens. Even in the face of objective evidence to the contrary they will lie.
New Zealand officials and politicians deny the allegations with the usual and predictable statements.
Are the New Zealand officials telling the truth? I say "No". They are lying. If Wikileaks has taught us anything, it is that the government lies to its citizens. Even in the face of objective evidence to the contrary they will lie.
Monday, March 7, 2011
The Best Friend
As my first blog the best topic to begin with is a short article about my best friend, George.
He's the smartest, bravest, biggest dog in the world, at least that's what I tell him. It's always amazing to me how two different species can develop such a strong relationship. He definitely depends on me and my wife, but we also seem to depend on him for intangible emotional support.
He's the smartest, bravest, biggest dog in the world, at least that's what I tell him. It's always amazing to me how two different species can develop such a strong relationship. He definitely depends on me and my wife, but we also seem to depend on him for intangible emotional support.
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