Daily Archives: September 1, 2012

Dr M suggests closer look at ‘freedom’ in Third World nations

Posted: September 1, 2012 at 3:18 am

Posted on September 1, 2012, Saturday

KUALA LUMPUR: The word FREEDOM in the background of the spectacular 2012 London Olympics closing ceremony on Aug 12, prompted former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to suggest a closer look at the lack of freedom many independent countries of the world experienced due to Western hegemony.

He said that although there was no indication as to whom it was directed and what the purpose was, he felt sure that the millions of audience immediate thoughts were the need for freedom in many third world countries.

The former prime minister said some of these countries had lost men and suffered much before winning what they believed was the freedom that came with their independence.

But are they free? It was Soekarno of Indonesia (the first President of Indonesia), who quickly realised that the decolonised independent nations were not really free, he said in his latest post titled Freedom on his blog, http://www.chedet.cc.

He said they (decolonised independent nations) had to do what the ex-masters told them or face either economic or political pressures, or pressure from the international media controlled by them (ex-masters) which Soekarno described as a new form of colonialism called Neo Colonialism.

He went on to scrutinise the present state of the countries of the world in particular those which became independent after the last Great War.

We cannot help but conclude that the so-called independent countries are still having to obey the orders of the former colonial powers headed by the super superpower which won the Cold War, he said.

He said it was not a bad thing for the independent countries to be told that the only system they could have was the democratic system.

Regime changes to install candidates friendly to the West changes to laws of the countries to serve the interests of the West were another matter, he added.

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Dr M suggests closer look at ‘freedom’ in Third World nations

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James Taranto: Liberal Opposition To Free Speech Solidified Me As A Conservative – Video

Posted: at 3:17 am

31-08-2012 09:38 James Taranto, author of the Wall Street Journal's 'Best of the Web Today' column, describes how being suspended from college for having written a column defending free speech led him to become a conservative. Get the rest of the story at NewsBusters:

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James Taranto: Liberal Opposition To Free Speech Solidified Me As A Conservative - Video

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Court » Ruling says requirements do not infringe on free speech.

Posted: at 3:17 am

Court Ruling says requirements do not infringe on free speech.

A group attempting to get an employee-verification measure on Utahs Nov. 6 ballot lost its lawsuit Friday after a judge ruled that new state requirements for qualifying an initiative doesnt infringe upon free speech rights.

"The laws do not limit the ability of citizens to raise issues and initiate political discussions," 3rd District Court Judge Randall Skanchy wrote in his ruling.

The case centered around former Republican Congressman Merrill Cooks attempt to qualify a ballot measure for November that would require the state to adopt a tough E-Verify law in an attempt to halt the hiring of illegal immigrants for work in Utah.

Utah currently has an E-Verify law on the books, but it has no penalties. Cooks measure is similar to Arizonas E-Verify law, where business licenses could be revoked if employers are caught hiring people not authorized to work in the United States.

Cook argued in court that a law signed by Gov. Gary Herbert in 2011 restricts free speech because it significantly curbed the ability of volunteers to gather enough signatures to qualify initiatives for the ballot.

To get a measure on the ballot under the new law, signatures must be gathered within 316 days and their number must equal at least 10 percent of the votes cast for president. Before, it was 10 percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election and the time frame to collect signatures could extend out to as long as three years.

Cook said the new law, SB165, was a "cynical ploy" by the Legislature to quash ballot initiatives especially E-Verify. The Legislature had a tough E-Verify bill introduced in the past session, but it died in committee.

In response to Skanchys ruling, Cook said the judge didnt understand the relationship between the petition process and free speech.

"Hes accepted a very narrow definition of free speech," said Cook, who contends that free speech on an issue means being able to sign a petition and vote on it, not just talk about it.

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Court » Ruling says requirements do not infringe on free speech.

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Judge rules against foes of Utah’s initiative law

Posted: at 3:17 am

Court Ruling says requirements do not infringe on free speech.

A group attempting to get an employee-verification measure on Utahs Nov. 6 ballot lost its lawsuit Friday after a judge ruled that new state requirements for qualifying an initiative doesnt infringe upon free speech rights.

"The laws do not limit the ability of citizens to raise issues and initiate political discussions," 3rd District Court Judge Randall Skanchy wrote in his ruling.

The case centered around former Republican Congressman Merrill Cooks attempt to qualify a ballot measure for November that would require the state to adopt a tough E-Verify law in an attempt to halt the hiring of illegal immigrants for work in Utah.

Utah currently has an E-Verify law on the books, but it has no penalties. Cooks measure is similar to Arizonas E-Verify law, where business licenses could be revoked if employers are caught hiring people not authorized to work in the United States.

Cook argued in court that a law signed by Gov. Gary Herbert in 2011 restricts free speech because it significantly curbed the ability of volunteers to gather enough signatures to qualify initiatives for the ballot.

To get a measure on the ballot under the new law, signatures must be gathered within 316 days and their number must equal at least 10 percent of the votes cast for president. Before, it was 10 percent of the votes cast in the last gubernatorial election and the time frame to collect signatures could extend out to as long as three years.

Cook said the new law, SB165, was a "cynical ploy" by the Legislature to quash ballot initiatives especially E-Verify. The Legislature had a tough E-Verify bill introduced in the past session, but it died in committee.

In response to Skanchys ruling, Cook said the judge didnt understand the relationship between the petition process and free speech.

"Hes accepted a very narrow definition of free speech," said Cook, who contends that free speech on an issue means being able to sign a petition and vote on it, not just talk about it.

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Judge rules against foes of Utah’s initiative law

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