In Plain Sight

No draft, no one cares?

So I've been thinking about this a little. Do you think it could be this simple? That the reason we do not have a civil and youth based outcry against the war in Iraq is simply because it is manned by volunteers and there is no draft? I think so. How sad is that?

A Note to all Students of 2008 - and especially those at Berkeley

Forty years ago next year the youth of the day took to the streets in a nation wide student strike and peaceful demonstrations that expressed that generation's deep feelings about what was going on. They were expressing outrage at the warmongering, the oppressive and deceitful behavior of government, and the social injustice of the time.

Why is there no anti-war youth movement to speak of today? Why is the youth of today putting up with the warmongering, the lies and the social injustice of our time? Why do they appear to be so accepting, so useless, so helpless? Have we brain-washed the sensibility out of them? Did we make them so self-interested and so afraid of losing position that they fear to speak out, to rock the boat? Why are they so afraid to act?

I was too young to participate in 1968, though the events of that year left an indelible mark on my psyche. I knew which side I was on. If I were a student today I hope and pray that I would be speaking out, that I would have something to say about what is going on right now, and that I would have the courage to take action against it. The state of the times is an issue for youth, my generation can only offer support and encouragement. It is for you to act.

The fortieth anniversary of the 1968 civil unrest is a reminder. Remember. If you have to be fearful of anything, be afraid of inaction.

Give Peace a Chance

Billy Bragg - Waiting For The Great Leap Forward

fragments of consciousness: Conference wrap-up

Link: fragments of consciousness: Conference wrap-up.

Interesting to see David Chalmers taking an interest in Rudolf Carnap suddenly. Perhaps he'll learn what reduction really is? A remarkable turn of events in my view but it is a positive one. :-)