Showing posts with label democracy. Show all posts
Showing posts with label democracy. Show all posts
June 12, 2019
August 6, 2017
Snowden on May and Human Rights
Want to see a politician clearly? Remove emotional words from their statements.— Edward Snowden (@Snowden) August 5, 2017
"If human rights laws get in the way, we will change them." https://t.co/Ci9yt7I9d6
I'm clear: if human rights laws get in the way of tackling extremism and terrorism, we will change those laws to keep British people safe. pic.twitter.com/8EfUJYUDMK— Theresa May (@theresa_may) 6 juni 2017
June 20, 2017
Tyranny without a tyrant
»The greater the bureaucratization of public life, the greater will be the attraction of violence. In a fully developed bureaucracy there is nobody left with whom one could argue, to whom one could present grievances, on whom the pressures of power could be exerted. Bureaucracy is the form of government in which everybody is deprived of political freedom, of the power to act; for the rule by Nobody is not no-rule, and where all are equally powerless we have a tyranny without a tyrant.«
Hannah Ahrendt, Reflections on Violence, The New York Review of Books, 1969
The individual and the state
»The increasing dependence on the State is anything but a healthy symptom; it means that the whole nation is in a fair way to becoming a herd of sheep, constantly relying on a shepherd to drive them into good pastures. The shepherd’s staff soon becomes a rod of iron, and the shepherds turn into wolves.«
Civilization in Transition, Carl Jung
April 5, 2015
February 16, 2015
February 13, 2015
May 28, 2014
May 6, 2014
US warns Germany: Stay away from NSA whistleblower Edward Snowden!
"We are of the opinion that if Snowden provides classified information or documents to the Bundestag or to German diplomats who interview Snowden, such acts give rise to criminal exposure under the laws of the United States. The United States would have jurisdiction to prosecute these acts regardless of where they occur," writes firm partner Jeffrey Harris. It is an interpretation that also applies to SPIEGEL and other media outlets that have seen and reported on large numbers of documents provided by Snowden.Read more @ Spiegel Online – Trans-Atlantic Supplicant: Merkel Chooses Unity over NSA Truth »
December 16, 2012
The EU - less and less democratic
In a rare moment of talking plainly, EU-Commission president José Manuel Barroso described the European Union as an Empire in the making. That alone ought to make all sorts of alarm bells go off.
Megalomaniacs tend to cause trouble on their journey to downfall. In this case, we are looking at the un-elected top dog of a political union with 500 million citizens – leading a bureaucracy with obvious ambitions to centralize power.
And Mr Barroso sees no problems with EU power grabbing. In another speech, he made it clear that there are no democratic problems in transferring powers from member states to Brussels – as long as this is made in a formal way, according to existing rules. Well... yes, it is true that democracy has the regrettable mandate and ability to dismantle itself. But is it really advisable?
It ought to be obvious to everyone that centralizing power will have undesirable effects, when it comes to citizens actually being involved in the democratic process. Having seen the EU machinery from inside, I can assure you that such a centralization of power brings no added value what so ever. On the contrary. The EU is not very competent. Rules and laws are rushed trough at a break neck speed that makes wise, balanced and dignified lawmaking impossible. (Even for the few who might know what is in the making.) And EU politicians normally holds special interests higher than public interest.
The EU is a very opaque organization. EU leaders often talk about openness and transparency. But reality is something totally different. If there is the slightest possibility that something is not in the interest of the EU, its leaders or its functionaries – they go stonewalling. At one point EU even changed the definition of what constitutes a "document", to be able to sidestep its own assurances about public access.
In most member states at least two out of three laws and regulations originates from the EU. This means that most laws are decided upon far away from people being affected by them. So, it might come as no surprise that many EU directives and regulations lacks contact with reality and often make assumptions that are not in line with simple facts. Not to mention ignoring local differences. One size is supposed to fit all, but fits no one.
Even good people are gradually being corrupted by the EU system, if getting involved in it. They soon realize that the only way is to adopt. If you don´t, you are out. But the pay is very nice.
On top of everything else, the EU is not a democratic organization as such. And the people do not want it.
A single, open market with free movement would do fine instead.
December 2, 2012
Don´t fiddle around with fundamental rights!
In politics in general and especially in EU politics you frequently run across the expression "striking a balance between fundamental rights and X" - where X might stand for war on terrorism, hunting down file sharers, protecting children or combating crime. Or just about anything.
Let's take this apart to see what it implies. "Striking a balance..." To achieve a balance you must weigh things against each other. An other way to put it is to compromise.
So, what is the compromise supposed to be about? "Fundamental rights." That is – the most important values that we build our society upon. The principles that guarantee democracy, rule of law and liberty.
Let's see... Hm... No.
No Fucking Way.
There doesn't even have to be any bloody terrorists – if our politicians are to disassemble our fundamental rights themselfes. Then we loose on walk over. Then politicians are the real threat to common people and to a decent society.
It gets especially absurd when X is protecting special interests from reality. For example protecting Big Busines from the free market.
Like the film- and music industry. They refuse to face reality. They demand special legislation to protect their outdated business models. And they are willing to kill a free and open Internet, put us all under surveillance and privatize law and order in the process.
Most politicians happily play along with this.
So, what's next? I could imagine farmers would find it very handy and cost effective if they could keep slaves. Striking a balance between fundamental rights and the farming industries need to make a buck.
No, there is no difference when it comes to the underlaying principles. You cannot just be a little bit pregnant. Either you respect our fundamental rights or you don't.
We cannot be sloppy when it comes to fundamental human rights and liberties. They must be defended, at all cost.
Even when the threat comes from some sweet old lady sincerely trying to protect the children. Sorry. Our fundamental rights are moore important. Naturally we should do our best to protect the children. But we shall not do it e.g. by introducing censorship, as suggested by EU officials.
The sloppiness has rised to a level where politicians often make infringing civil rights their first, spontaneous proposal - before even considering other (often better) options.
Today politics takes away a little of our civil rights here and a few of our liberties there. It is done in small steps and always with the best of intentions.
Everything can be justified or explained in one way or another. This also goes for really bad stuff.
That is why it is important that we draw a line. And that is exactly what fundamental rights are about. It's the stuff you don't touch. It is a no go-zone for politicians. It is what bureaucrats should not be allowed to tamper with.
As politicians and civil servants no longer seems to understand the value and importance of our fundamental rights – it is now up to us, the people, to defend them if we want to keep them.
[In Swedish»]
November 17, 2011
Back to the Future?
The new Italian government seems to consist only of technocrats and people from Big Business.
Didn´t they already try that, once upon a time?
BBC
Didn´t they already try that, once upon a time?
BBC
November 2, 2011
October 2, 2011
European Superstate Rising
A few clips from the "State of the Union"-debate in the European Parliament 28 September 2011. A bit scary, if you ask me...
[Direct link]
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January 23, 2011
WikiLeaks, The Internet And Democracy
Paul Jay, Daniel Ellsberg, Clay Shirky, Neville Roy Singham, Peter Thiel and Jonathan Zittrain on a panel at the Churchill Club – on WikiLeaks, The Internet And Democracy.
A Must See!
June 27, 2010
30 minutes well spent
Stephen Fry: What I wish I'd known when I was 18 by Peter Samuelson om Vimeo. 29 April 2010. 32 mins.
February 25, 2010
Cuba Blog Event
Right now we are establishing a working phone line with Cuba.
Cuban bloggers Yoani Sánches, Claudia Cadelo, Orlando Luis Lazo, Reinaldo Escobar, Miriam Ceyla, Iván García, Laritza Diversent, Eugenio Leal, Dimas Castellanos.
In the European Paliament: Franziska Brantner MEP, Christian Engström MEP, Manuel Desdin, Benoît Hervieu, Susan Dennisson and many others.
More info / Press Release.
Also read Grégoy Engels live blogging from this event on Inotes.de.
Update: Also see Cubiyanqui.
November 12, 2009
Demo-Crazy
The Stockholm Programme points out how to work when it comes to judicial procedures, criminal trials, migration and everything that is connected with surveillance and Big Brotherism. This will be synced with the roll out of the new EU Treaty, The Lisbon Treaty.
The papers for this afternoons vote in the joint meeting with the JURI, LIBE and AFCO committees where distributed in the very last minute. There are almost 500 amendments and lots of compromise amendments. Some members did get the papers less than three hours before the meeting. Some papers did not reach the members at all. So most of the parlamentarians have not had a chance to more than glance at the documents. There have been no analysis, no prior discussion and no possibility for cross party border talks.
This is simply ridiculous.
Naturally, some members object. So at the beginning of this afternoons meeting they wanted to postpone the vote.
Then there was an objection to the suggestion to discuss this at all. (It´s Thursday. All members have planes home to catch.)
So it was decided not to discuss to postpone the vote, as it would take to long.
Then the voting on the amendments to the Stockholm Programme started - without anyone knowing what they really are doing.
November 4, 2009
EU Telecoms Package: New meetings today
Press Release from the Swedish Pirate Party, November 4:th 2009
EU: Negotiations on the EU Telecoms Package tonight
Our line is that the principles of "amendment 138" must be defended. This is to say that Members States should not be allowed to cut people of from the Internet (if any MS decides on such measures) with less than a prior, fair trial in a court of law.
In this process there are many proposals, compromises and ideas flying around. The Swedish Pirate MEP Christian Engström says...
"Right now it is essential that the European Parliament stays with the core values of amendment 138. We would like to stick to amendment 138, more or less in its original form. But we have conflicting judicial advice about that possibility."
"A key issue is if we will be able to stop French Hadopi-laws and British Mandelson-measures. If the text negotiated do not do this, we cannot accept it."
"I am worried that other MEP:s in the delegation might be willing to compromise. Or that they will give up, exhausted. We call upon them to focus on the principle that the European Parliament at several occasions has voted for - that government should not be able to punish people without a fair, prior trial. This is also fundamental for a democracy respecting rule of law" Engström concludes.
Also see Christian Engströms blog:
http://christianengstrom.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/telecom-package-meetings-on-wednesday/
Time table:
7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, the European Parliaments Delegation to the Conciliation Committee on the EU Telecoms Package will meet.
8 p.m. there will be a Trialouge Meeting (leaders of the EP Delegation, leaders of the Councils delegation and representatives for the Commission).
After this there will be a brief report from the Trialouge to the Delegation.
9 p.m. there will be a meeting with the full Conciliation Committee (27 from the EP, 27 from the Council and represenatives from the Commission). At this meeting the EU-Precidency will be represented by the Swedish Minister for Infrastructure, Åsa Torstensson. Commissioner Vivian Reding will also be present.
Or - if the negosiations get stuck - there will be another Trialogue Meeting at 9 p.m.
Thursday morning at 9 a.m. the Delegation leaders from the EP, Torstensson and Reding will hold a press conference.
Thursday at 10 a.m. the Green Group in the EP and Swedish Pirate Party will hold a press conference. (Both press conferences are to be held in room PHS 0A050 in the European Parliament in Brussels.)
Contact details:
Christian Engström (PP), Swedish Pirate MEP, +46 706 633 780.
Rick Falkvinge (PP), leader of the Swedish Pirate Party, +46 708 303 600.
Henrik Alexandersson at MEP Engströms office in the EP, +32 484 088 770 (mobile) or +32 228 47368.
[In Swedish]
EU: Negotiations on the EU Telecoms Package tonight
Our line is that the principles of "amendment 138" must be defended. This is to say that Members States should not be allowed to cut people of from the Internet (if any MS decides on such measures) with less than a prior, fair trial in a court of law.
In this process there are many proposals, compromises and ideas flying around. The Swedish Pirate MEP Christian Engström says...
"Right now it is essential that the European Parliament stays with the core values of amendment 138. We would like to stick to amendment 138, more or less in its original form. But we have conflicting judicial advice about that possibility."
"A key issue is if we will be able to stop French Hadopi-laws and British Mandelson-measures. If the text negotiated do not do this, we cannot accept it."
"I am worried that other MEP:s in the delegation might be willing to compromise. Or that they will give up, exhausted. We call upon them to focus on the principle that the European Parliament at several occasions has voted for - that government should not be able to punish people without a fair, prior trial. This is also fundamental for a democracy respecting rule of law" Engström concludes.
Also see Christian Engströms blog:
http://christianengstrom.wordpress.com/2009/11/02/telecom-package-meetings-on-wednesday/
Time table:
7 p.m. tonight, Wednesday, the European Parliaments Delegation to the Conciliation Committee on the EU Telecoms Package will meet.
8 p.m. there will be a Trialouge Meeting (leaders of the EP Delegation, leaders of the Councils delegation and representatives for the Commission).
After this there will be a brief report from the Trialouge to the Delegation.
9 p.m. there will be a meeting with the full Conciliation Committee (27 from the EP, 27 from the Council and represenatives from the Commission). At this meeting the EU-Precidency will be represented by the Swedish Minister for Infrastructure, Åsa Torstensson. Commissioner Vivian Reding will also be present.
Or - if the negosiations get stuck - there will be another Trialogue Meeting at 9 p.m.
Thursday morning at 9 a.m. the Delegation leaders from the EP, Torstensson and Reding will hold a press conference.
Thursday at 10 a.m. the Green Group in the EP and Swedish Pirate Party will hold a press conference. (Both press conferences are to be held in room PHS 0A050 in the European Parliament in Brussels.)
Contact details:
Christian Engström (PP), Swedish Pirate MEP, +46 706 633 780.
Rick Falkvinge (PP), leader of the Swedish Pirate Party, +46 708 303 600.
Henrik Alexandersson at MEP Engströms office in the EP, +32 484 088 770 (mobile) or +32 228 47368.
[In Swedish]
October 15, 2008
The Democratic Deficit revisited
A few weeks ago the European Parliament voted on the Telecoms Package.
At the last minute the EP managed to stop parts (created by the copyright lobby) of the package aimed to filter the internet and to close down internet access (without judicial process) for people engaged in e.g. file sharing. So far, so good.
Now, it turns out, the European Commission seems to have removed all references to this EP-decision in its working papers – preparing the Telecoms Package for a second reading in the EP or an OK in the Council. This we where not supposed to know. But the document leaked out...
It is not to bold to guess that this is the work of the French EU presidency and its friends in the copyright lobby. They simply will not take no for an answer. Not even a clear no from the EP.
(Personally, I am pro copyright. But I will not accept mass survilance, limitations in citizens rights or give up the freedom of the internet. And I think it is a really bad idea to use laws to save an outdated business model.)
Read more and find the relevant links at icmpecho.com.»
At the last minute the EP managed to stop parts (created by the copyright lobby) of the package aimed to filter the internet and to close down internet access (without judicial process) for people engaged in e.g. file sharing. So far, so good.
Now, it turns out, the European Commission seems to have removed all references to this EP-decision in its working papers – preparing the Telecoms Package for a second reading in the EP or an OK in the Council. This we where not supposed to know. But the document leaked out...
It is not to bold to guess that this is the work of the French EU presidency and its friends in the copyright lobby. They simply will not take no for an answer. Not even a clear no from the EP.
(Personally, I am pro copyright. But I will not accept mass survilance, limitations in citizens rights or give up the freedom of the internet. And I think it is a really bad idea to use laws to save an outdated business model.)
Read more and find the relevant links at icmpecho.com.»
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