Take Your Pick: God of Love or Mafia Boss

If God is supposedly good and almighty, why is there so much pain and suffering in the world? Or as a loved-one recently put it, what use is a God that lets such atrocities happen? This is the paradox that religions have struggled with for millennia and continue to contemplate. In theology, it is known as the Problem of Evil.

My favourite atheist Kurt Vonnegut provides a poignant solution: “There is no good reason good can’t triumph over evil, if only angels will get organized along the lines of the mafia.” I think Vonnegut, unlike most people who use the Problem of Evil to argue against the existence of (a benevolent) God, intuitively understood the impasse. As ethicist David Rodin puts it: “if one can defeat evil only by becoming evil, then it is impossible to defeat evil.” Sure, an almighty God can easily kill the evil-doers, or better yet, reach into the minds of the wicked and prevent them from acting out their malicious intentions, but while the end may justify the means the implication is horrifying. God would be the Mafia Boss, the Tyrannical Dictator, the ultimate Puppet Master. Yes, we would not have evil or pain or suffering, but neither would we be free to enjoy anything worth caring about. We’d simply be puppets in a universe void of love or liberty.

One Reason I Don't Like Google Anymore

. . . and the list keeps increasing.

I've been noticing that my Google search results are tailored. It is different when I'm logged into Google, and when I'm not logged in, it is different when I'm working on my home PC or my office computer. It is also different depending if I'm using the standard Google.com (which automatically switches into Hangeul because I'm now in Korea) or the South African Google.co.za.

And this frustrates me. It frustrates me because it is telling me that I'm not getting an objective search. I'm getting subjective algorithm based search results depending on what Google thinks I want to see. And I don't want that!

When I go to a library to search through the library's digital database, I don't want it to show me my preferences, I want to see all the relevant information -- even the things I don't like. Information searches are not about the things we like or not like -- that's entertainment. I don't use Google for entertainment. I use it to search for information. What makes the Internet great is that information is open and free. We can find different views, even views contrary to our beliefs, preferences, and so on, and herein lies the greatness of the Internet. It allows us to grow, to expand our understanding of a topic, to strengthen our own views, or even change our mind about a subject. But this is changing . . .

Google! I don't want you as a gatekeeper, I want a search engine. And, according to the following video, Google is not the only one. Are there any objective search engines still available? If so please, let me know. I'll gladly swap it for this monstrosity that Google has become.

WikiLeaks and the Fight for Internet Freedom

Molley from Rocketboom gives a rundown on the WikiLeaks debate in the video below.



An important point she is making is that Julian Asange's arrest has nothing to do with Wikileaks, but regards a sexual assault allegation. So why are WikiLeaks being bullied? It's servers are attacked. MasterCard, Visa and PayPal are all pressured to discontinue sources of income to Wikileaks, and even their Swiss Bank Account has been shut down. This is clearly an outright attack on WikiLeaks.

Since I support WikiLeaks, I am in favour of the backlash. The powers-that-be has gone to war against WikiLeaks, so they should not be surprised if hackers all over--who holds at heart the principle of free access of information--start to rise up and fight back. The most important hacker-ethic is that information should be freely available and free access to information has a positive effect on society. They thousands of hackers out there, Wikileaks embodies this ethic of free access to information. An attack on WikiLeaks is an attack on everyone that holds to this core value of free information and freedom of speech. The "unjust restrictions [governments] impose on [WikiLeaks] . . . will . . . only strengthen . . . [the] resolve [of people adhering to the value of freedom of information and freedom of speech] to disobey and rebel against [ such governmental] tyranny":

Corrupt governments of the world, we are anonymous. For some time now, voices have been crying out in unison against the new ACTA laws. The gross inadequacies of the new laws being passed internationally have been pointed out repeatedly. Our chief complaint is that such measures would restrict people's access to the internet.

In these modern times access to the internet is fast becoming a basic human right. Just like any other basic human right, we believe that it is wrong to infringe upon it. To threaten to cut people off from the global consciousness as you have is criminal and abhorrent. To move to censor content on the internet based on your own prejudice is at best laughably impossible, at worst, morally reprehensible.

The unjust restrictions you impose on us will meet with disaster and only strengthen our resolve to disobey and rebel against your tyranny. Such actions taken against you, and those you out source your malignant litigation too, are inevitable, unavoidable and unstoppable.

We Are Anonymous,

We Are Legion And Divided By Zero.

We Do Not Forgive Internet Censorship

And We Do Not Forget Free Speech.

We Are Over 9000,

Expect Us!

WikiLeaks: Stop the Crackdown

The vicious intimidation campaign against WikiLeaks is a dangerous attack on freedom of expression and the press. Top US politicians have branded WikiLeaks a terrorist organization, and urged corporations to shut it down. Commentators have even suggested assassinating its staff.

Whatever we think of WikiLeaks, legal experts say it has likely broken no laws, and the group works with leading newspapers (NYT, Guardian, Spiegel) to carefully vet what it publishes - so far less than 1% of the cables leaked to it.

We urgently need a massive public outcry to defend our basic democratic freedoms. Sign the petition to stop the crackdown!

I Support Wikileaks

In a world where governments lie to their citizens on a near constant basis, a group dedicated to exposing the truth is of crucial value. How can we hold our governments accountable if we don't know what atrocities they are committing? Such lies like "weapons of mass destruction" that cost the lives of thousands of innocent people could have been avoided had the truth been known.

For his resolute purpose to make truth available Julian Assange is under attack. Prominent people in government has called for his assassination. Some even call him a terrorist. Comparing Julian Assange to a terrorist just shows how corrupt these governments have become. It is only in an Orwellian world where one could liken someone dedicated to the truth to a terrorist. Corrupt politicians, torturer-presidents and spying-encouraging ministers get off scott free, but those fighting for truth and justice are called terrorists.



Personally I believe Mr Assange's arrest is linked to a smear campaign, if not a set-up. It is unprecedented -- read, "never hear off!" -- to put out an Interpol warrant on a person suspected of sexual harassment or rape. And since when is it illegal to have consensual sex without a condom? Does it even matter that the first woman involved in the rape charges is "a known radical feminist in Sweden who wrote a blog post on Seven Steps for Legal Revenge." Now would it surprise you to hear that she may be a CIA operative?

Whatever the case may be, most people know in their gut that his arrest has little to do with his promiscuity or being a sexual predator and everything to do with him being an activist for truth.

Wikileaks is supposedly participating in illegal activities. What makes it illegal? The fact that it makes available the truth to the general public? These are truths that are in the public interest. The Wikileaks-documents are embarrassing to many governments, particularly the United States, and that is why they want him muzzled. It is embarrassing because the governments ought to be embarrassed. They want to keep these things quiet because they know that they are in the wrong and ought to be ashamed. The leaks demonstrate their killing of innocent people, their torture tactics, their extortion, their manipulations, their briberies not only in wartime but even at international meetings like the Climate Change Summit. Governments are involved in despicable spectacles, never letting the citizens of those governments in on what they are doing. This is absolutely contrary to everything that democracy stands for. Governments, contrary to the term's original meaning, do not govern its citizens. In a democracy it is the citizens that have authority over the government. Democratic governments are supposed to perform the will of the people, not the other way round. Instead governments are involved in acts that are shockingly contrary to the will of the people it is supposed to represent, and for this very reason they are keeping their dirty deeds secret. And for this very reason, organizations like Wikileaks ought to be praised as they are returning the power to where it belongs, with the people, not with a deceiving oligarchical elite!

Does the information released on Wikileaks put some people at risk? Possibly. Still, we cannot keep silent as to the multiple thousands of people that have already been harassed, tortured, and killed and conveniently kept quiet about. Nor can governments be allowed to think that they can continue to act in this manner. We do not live in ancient times where we are governed; the foundation of democracy is that we, all citizens of a democratic nation, are the governors. As such, we ought to have access to all information related to the government.

In the meantime the domain name for Wikileaks is taken down and the host for the site is changing frequently. The direct FTP-address is http://213.251.145.96/ . Attempts to shut down Wikileaks is a direct attack on all Internet freedom.

"Whatever you think of WikiLeaks, they have not been charged with a crime, let alone indicted or convicted. Yet look what has happened to them. They have been removed from Internet … their funds have been frozen … media figures and politicians have called for their assassination and to be labelled a terrorist organization. What is really going on here is a war over control of the Internet, and whether or not the Internet can actually serve its ultimate purpose—which is to allow citizens to band together and democratize the checks on the world’s most powerful factions." -- Glen Greenwald.

The (cyber-) attacks on Wikileaks is just the beginning. These governments, the United States of America in particular, will use the Wikileaks incident to pass legislation to tighten control over the Internet. In the name of "Cyber Security" they will take away Net Neutrality and the free access to information and with it freedom of speech. Their excuses for doing so will range from "Cyber Bullying" to "Cyber Terrorism." They will convince, in other words deceive, the public into thinking it is for their own safety. Nonsense! They are just megalomaniacs that will not be satisfied lest they control every facet of your life and turn you into a serf, if not a slave.

I support Wikileaks!

South Africa's Media Freedom Under Siege

From Avaaz.org:

I've just signed an urgent petition calling on the ANC to protect our democracy and basic freedoms by reversing an unconstitutional secrecy Bill and a new proposal to gag the media. I thought you would want to join me. If enough of us come together now and oppose these initiatives, our outcry will be too loud to ignore.

You can read more below and sign the petition here:

Here's the original email ---

Dear friend across South Africa,

South Africa's democracy is at risk -- a draconian and unconstitutional new secrecy Bill is in Parliament and a Media Tribunal could be endorsed by the ANC Council this week, muzzling the media and letting the security agencies operate without accountability.

The secrecy measures in the "Protection of Information Bill" and the proposed "Media Appeals Tribunal" threaten press freedom enshrined in the Constitution and will hamper public scrutiny of the government and security agencies, blocking the media from exposing corruption and abuse of power. Hundreds of prominent South Africans, business executives, civic leaders and journalists have condemned the measures and submitted amendments on the Bill to Parliament, but so far the ANC is defending both proposals. Only massive pressure from citizens across South Africa can wake them up and preserve hard-won freedoms!

We have just 3 days to be heard at the ANC Council. Let's raise an irresistible outcry -- join the call for the ANC to listen to the people, respect the Constitution and promote accountable and transparent government! Click to sign the urgent petition, then forward this message to everyone – it will be delivered at the ANC Council:

http://www.avaaz.org/en/protect_south_africas_democracy/98.php?CLICKTF

43% of South Africans survive on no more than R16 a day and half of our youth are unemployed, while Transparency International claims "corruption is increasing at an enormous rate and it impacts severely on the poor. Revenue destined for the poor is misappropriated". These new proposals would obstruct the media's bold efforts to expose bribery, corruption and fraud and would lead this proud democracy towards autocratic control.

The proposed Protection of Information Bill would allow any national or local government department or agency to classify and make secret any information that they consider against the 'national interest' and would punish whistle blowers or journalists with up to 25 years in jail if they leak or publish information that was classified, even if it was in the public interest. This violates Section 32 of the Constitution -- which protects the citizens right of access to any information held by the State.

The Media Tribunal would replace the Press Ombudsman with a state agency accountable only to the ruling party, tightly regulating reporting, and imposing penalties on journalists.

Just like when citizens came together to call for effective treatment for HIV and AIDS in 2007, if we rally now we could change the course of these repressive policies and efforts to silence the media can be stopped.

The ANC Council meeting is the decisive moment -- if we lose this chance, the ANC's 60% majority in Parliament will most likely push these proposals through unchanged. Inside the ANC Council COSATU delegates and others are strongly against the gag law -- if we raise a massive citizens' outcry this week, we could support their efforts on the inside to overwhelm an elite who attempt to railroad through these undemocratic proposals.

Sign the petition and forward this message to everyone.

Many fought, and died, for these freedoms. Now, if citizens stand up together to protect South Africa's democracy, our outcry will be too loud to ignore -- and we will beat those who want to protect their power and privilege by curbing constitutional liberties.

With hope and determination,

Alice, Paul, Ricken, Benjamin, Emma, Giulia, Pascal, Iain, Paula and the whole Avaaz team

More information:

Avaaz.org was launched in January 2007 with a simple democratic mission: work with citizens everywhere to help close the gap between the world we have and the world most people everywhere want. In three years, Avaaz has grown to over 5.8 million members from every country on earth, becoming the largest global web movement in history. Avaaz's largest membership is in Brazil and France and Mexico and India are two of Avaaz's fastest growing memberships this year. This campaign is being launched with the nearly 60,000 Avaaz members across South Africa.

Sources:

"SA journalists fight proposed media laws", Mail & Guardian

"It's your right to know, public reminded", Iol/Cape Times

Protection of Information Bill

"Media Appeals Tribunal" proposal in the ANC Discussion paper on "Media Diversity and Ownership"

South Africa's Treatment Action Campaign: Combining Law and Social Mobilization to Realize the Right to Health, Mark Heywood

Why don't they just chip us?

(Source: Switched)

Why don't they just chip us? 'Cause with this, they don't need to.

My brother emailed me the news report, saying that it is now law in South Africa that all cell phones, regardless if it is prepaid or contract phones, must be registered – connecting the phone number and SIM card to your personal details: full names, identity number and address. “The law also made it compulsory for users to report to police should their cell phones be stolen, lost or damaged.”

Dear South Africans – kiss your privacy goodbye. A cell phone is basically a GPS, and henceforth you will be carrying a little beacon device with you, letting the powers-that-be know your every single location 24/7. While it is true that this may be used to combat “national cellphone theft,” the simultaneous loss of freedom is a tremendous price to pay.

It’s reminiscent of the old pass books. I really hope people stand up against this. But of course they won’t, because this whole thing is packaged as an anti-crime solution. Why do I think it is not to be used for the reasons they say it is going to be used for? Because you have to report to the police if it is stolen, lost or broken. The first one relates to crime. The other two is just so that the police know that they cannot track you anymore. I’m disgusted by this. This is better than chipping us – most people will refuse a chip implant, but since cell phones have become so integral to South African culture and society, we willingly accept it. No chips required – just a leash around the neck, without us even suspecting foul play.

Call me paranoid if you wish, but whenever laws are passed they should keep in mind the worst case scenario. The current government may not have any ill intentions with these tracking devices, but that doesn’t for a single moment rule out the possibility that a later government will be as benevolent, nor does it rule out the fact that there have always been corrupt government officials for most of South Africa’s history.

Also read: "No more anonymity under new cell phone law"

Protest, I mean picnic at the Union Building

Do you want to protest against the South African government's refusal of the Dalai Lama entry to the country? Why not protest in a way that's typical South African -- with singing, dancing and other creative activities -- and a picnic!

I was sent this invitation by a friend and how I wish I could attend! If I was in the country I would definitely have gone. South Africa's denial of the Buddhist leader questions both freedom of expression and freedom of religion. If you are in the vicinity, and feel strongly about any of these two issues, why not go for a picnic? (And if anybody do decide to go, please remember to tell me all about it! Send some photos too.)

On Sunday afternoon we will have a pretty picnic at the Union Buildings - with blankets and food to share - as part of accepting the discomfort we have with the Rainbow Nation's government refusing the Dalai Lama into our border.

We may be many or we may be four people and a dog...

Please bring: blankets, bites to share, water, juice, creativity, musical instruments (we won't have sound systems or anything like that, but unplugged sing-alongs is an option ;-)

Bring colour, even tie-dye flags, bring your body, mind and soul. Bring paint and canvasses if you feel like it. Bring cameras. Bring laughter. Bring light. Bring something to play with (apparently balls are not welcome, but bring them anyway... we love soccer and 2010 as well.) Bring colourful things to swing around. Bring paper to fold into origami peace cranes. Bring your children. Bring bongo drums. Bring tibetan bowls. And above all bring LOVE!

Don't bring money... (unless you want to go out afterwards). Don't bring alcohol. We need our energy to flow without the clouding of judgement... And don't bring illegal substances or weapons.

Host: All of us...

Type: Music/Arts - Listening Party

Network: Global

Date: Sunday, April 5, 2009

Time: 12:00am - 6:00pm

Location: Union Buildings

Street: Church Street

City/Town: Pretoria, South Africa

Bright Lights and Promises

This is one of my favourite Janis Ian songs. I was introduced to Janis Ian by an "ex-girlfriend". I write "ex-girlfriend" in quotation marks because it was a complicated relationship. In any case, she was killed in a car accident nearly a decade ago. Still, she has left a lasting affect for the better on me and her other friends.

As for Janis Ian, I like her for a couple of reasons. Of course the sentimental link I have towards her, her beautiful melodies, but also her outspokenness. She's always been a social commentator. Among other things she is critical of the RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America). You can read her views here. In protest to the RIAA, Janis Ian deliberately makes some of her songs available for download in MP3-format, from her website.

Janis Ian published her autobiography this year. If my "ex-girlfriend" was still alive, I would have loved to buy "Society's Child: My Autobiography" for her. I can understand why people wish to believe that the deceased are conscious after death. It would have been a nice thought if I could believe that "she" knew about my intention to give her this gift. But, I do not believe in consciousness after death, and honestly wouldn't want that, because that would force me to also believe in people being tortured in hell at this very moment and other such things which I cannot except either.