From the news: on sovereignty - and an activism email

There have been a few issues in the news of late which are related to sovereignty. 

I’ll start with a few news reports: 

• “Global corporate power is ‘out of control’, but reports of democracy’s death are greatly exaggerated”   https://theconversation.com/global-corporate-power-is-out-of-control-but-reports-of-democracys-death-are-greatly-exaggerated-210270  
  This includes a good history of neoliberalism.  
• “ ‘Credible evidence’ India behind alleged assassination of Sikh leader, says Trudeau”   https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/sep/18/credible-evidence-india-behind-killing-of-canadian-sikh-leader-says-trudeau   see also https://theconversation.com/explainer-what-is-the-khalistan-movement-sparking-a-diplomatic-feud-between-india-and-canada-213860   
  This act shows the sort of appalling contempt for borders that Russia, Iran, China, and the USA - and others - have shown with foreign  interference programmes/actions, assassinations, abductions, etc. It confirms that India is well into a major moral decay.
  

Also, in response to a social media platform refusing to comply with legal directions by my nation, I wrote this email to my local MP: 

I was concerned to learn today (here, an exclusive on The Guardian) that the social media platform _, is refusing requests from the AEC to remove [posts] that are likely to incite violence against AEC staff (and others at polling places, IMO - and the potential for such violence has been an issue of concern for me).

General Angus Campbell recently expressed concern about "truth decay" (here, on John Menadue's "Pearls and Irritations" journal); it seems to me that the behaviour of that social media platform is both a currently active example of that, and an attack on Australian sovereignty.

I would support action being taken against that platform - even deregistration until they comply with Australian law, or, at the very least, commencing legal action.

I would also support removal of the exemption allowing professional media to lie on social media (reported in another The Guardian exclusive here). As I see it, that would be requiring professional media to be professional, but, as a victim of the hate spewed by the Murdoch media, my opinion may be biased. I am also aware that the Murdoch media has a habit of misrepresenting opinions and commentary as news reporting.

However, I am also aware that the media IS capable of professional behaviour, as outlined in this article (on The Conversation website) outlining the checks required before reporting allegations of sexual assault - which took four years, in a recent case.

I also note this call, on The Conversation website, for the lies currently being told to be countered in the interest of ensuring participatory parity, and support that call.

Sovereignty needs to be respected - it is a part of the UN Charter, it is part of being a decent human being, and you cannot pick and choose what forms of sovereignty you support. 

If support the sovereignty of the modern nation-states mentioned above, then, in my opinion, you must also support concept such as Blak  Sovereignty.  

And just in case anyone thinks such issues don't matter: 

• the Scilly Isles and the Netherlands made a point of declaring peace after a period of 335 years of apparent (there is some doubt about the initial declaration) bloodless war; 
• the reason tension on the Korean peninsula continues to be of world-threatening concern, is the fact that there has never been a peace treaty ...
  

 

Assumptions / basis 

In writing this, I have assumed / started from the following: 

• this blog states quite clearly that it is about political and human rights matters, including lived experience of problems, and thus I will assume readers are reasonable people who have noted the content warning in the post header;

Possible flaws 

Where I can, I will try to highlight possible flaws / issues you should consider:

• there may be flawed logical arguments in the above: to find out more about such flaws and thinking generally, I recommend Brendan  Myers’ free online course “Clear and Present Thinking”; 
  
• I could be wrong - so keep your thinking caps on, and make up your own minds for yourself.
  

 

If they are of any use of interest, the activism information links from my former news posts are available in this post. 

 

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Finally, remember: we need to be more human being rather than human doing.