A timely reminder - The King is subject to the law. 'to no one will we sell, to no one deny or delay right or justice’ An affirmation that authority should be subject to law arising from the community itself, Magna Carta is a foundation stone of constitutional and parliamentary government. Let's hope the Foundation for Liberty is correct when…
Two variations-on-a-theme: The first comes from our own Clarke & Dawe. Corey Doctorow reminded me of this earlier in the week. The debt crisis in 2010 https://youtu.be/I5QwKEwo4Bc The second comes from US Senator Elizabeth Warren [ @SenWarren ] speaking at the Re/code conference this past Tuesday. During a question and answer session, a voter asked why politicians aren't building infrastructure or implementing other policy that…
Rowan Atkinson's spirited, elegant and appropriately funny defence of free speech and the role of the law when offence and Insult is criminalised. http://youtu.be/gciegyiLYtY Thanks to @buckingham_j for the link. Links: Reform Section 5 [United Kingdom] Victims of section 5
The disturbing scenes in London over the last few days bring in to a stark contrast the competing challenges of the immediate, short-term need for social order and the extended, long-term need for social inclusion. There are many thousands of pictures and words that will be written about this London summer. Jonathon Freedland, writing in the Guardian says: The soul…
One can't help but wonder if the the lack of agreement between the Democratic and Republican parties over the proposed extension of the US debt ceiling is anything more than grand political theatre, although this time it appears to be a different ball-game with the growing role and influence of the "tea-party" members. Perhaps more telling is the role of…
The Australian IT Section reports: AUSTRALIANS could use electronic voting systems in next year's federal election if a proposed trial goes ahead. The proposal arises from a report by the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters on the 2004 federal election, published in October. Among its recommendations are a trial of electronic voting systems for use by blind and visually…
Noel Preston argues there are legitimate concerns about integrity in the public service. Constant reform is needed to provide a context in which public officials can perform their roles not only effectively but ethically as well. So true. Not just QLD.... Link: Absence of ethics in the public service.