Oct 5, 2004
Madness Below, Sanity Above
[cross-posted at Austro-Athenian Empire]
In South Korea, protestors are taking to the streets and clashing with cops. (See here and here.) What's the reason for all this anti-state activity? The protestors want to stop the government from repealing a law banning ... anti-state activity. (Y'see, the protestors were engaging in right-wing anti-state activity in order to force the government to keep prohibiting left-wing anti-state activity, so it all makes sense. Sort of. Oh yeah, and apparently left-wing anti-state activity includes propaganda on behalf of South Korea's friendly totalitarian neighbour North Korea. Which surely strains the concept of"anti-state," but whatever.)
Meanwhile, in a saner universe: Congratulations to SpaceShipOne for completing two private space flights in succession, thereby winning the X Prize and, more importantly, laying the groundwork (spacework?) for a future of peaceful commerce, rational minds, and venturing spirits. (Check out this delightful parable on the insanity of governmental space research.) Earth is going to be a much nicer place to live once it has to face actual competition.
In South Korea, protestors are taking to the streets and clashing with cops. (See here and here.) What's the reason for all this anti-state activity? The protestors want to stop the government from repealing a law banning ... anti-state activity. (Y'see, the protestors were engaging in right-wing anti-state activity in order to force the government to keep prohibiting left-wing anti-state activity, so it all makes sense. Sort of. Oh yeah, and apparently left-wing anti-state activity includes propaganda on behalf of South Korea's friendly totalitarian neighbour North Korea. Which surely strains the concept of"anti-state," but whatever.)
Meanwhile, in a saner universe: Congratulations to SpaceShipOne for completing two private space flights in succession, thereby winning the X Prize and, more importantly, laying the groundwork (spacework?) for a future of peaceful commerce, rational minds, and venturing spirits. (Check out this delightful parable on the insanity of governmental space research.) Earth is going to be a much nicer place to live once it has to face actual competition.