Comments on: ALS poll: best solo blogger?

By: Michael Sutcliffe

Michael Sutcliffe — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:01:38 +0000

I saw a video with Paris Hilton in it the other month. I think she could run a very attention grabbing campaign, although she needs to improve the quality of lighting in her media releases.

By: nicholas gray

nicholas gray — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 02:54:38 +0000

Yes, but would anything actually get done, other than trying out new chat-up lines?

By: Jim Fryar

Jim Fryar — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:38:33 +0000

Nicholas;
I mentioned Paris H and Lindsay L in the same vein as John Howard and Kevin Rudd. I wouldn’t mind if either of the former won most popular blog, whereas the latter winning here would cause me concern.

Actually come to think of it, I wouldnt mind joining a party with a few young nubile libertines in it. Perhaps John could do the next poll on that.

By: nicholas gray

nicholas gray — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 00:24:36 +0000

Jim, Paris Hilton and Lindsay Lohan are Libertines, not libertarians! There is a difference! Libertines don’t believe in any moral codes, whilst Libertarians believe in being free to follow their own codes of personal conduct. I would not want to join any political party where Paris Hilton was a member, because I suspect it would stand for nothing, and nothing would get done!

By: Jim Fryar

Jim Fryar — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 03:31:16 +0000

Andrew B – John has dealt well with the issue of Andrew N not self identifying as a libertarian. Plenty of people hold libertarian views without considering themselves to be one, possibly not knowing the name.

There would in fact be no problem, had a non libertarian site proved to be the most popular among us, it would show that we are not insular, just as long as it wasn’t the ‘Kevin Rudd Diaries’ or the ‘John Howard Chronicles’, Paris Hilton or Lindsay Lowhan would be quite acceptible.

By: John Humphreys

John Humphreys — Sat, 02 Jun 2007 00:58:01 +0000

Andrew B — Perhaps I should include this issue in FAQ “is Andrew N a libertarian?” Andrew describes himself as a classical liberal and he believes in decreasing the role of government in nearly all areas. Libertarians are identical to classical liberals and believe in decreasing the role of government.

The false dichotomies that some (including Andrew) use between classical liberal and libertarian don’t hold up. Some claim the former are utilitarian while the latter are rights-based, but this is directly contradicted by dozens of examples.

Milton Friedman and Frederick Hayek (who share Andrew’s philosophy) both said they would prefer to call themselves “liberals” but given that word has changed meaning they accept that they would now be called “libertarian”.

So Andrew N can call himself a penguin or an aadvark for all I care — he is a (moderate) libertarian.

By: terje (say tay-a)

terje (say tay-a) — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 18:31:18 +0000

Graeme – if a future Australian government worked to a budget and did not increase that budget, but merely reallocated spending where appropriate, it would be the biggest tax cutter in Australias history. However I would not be so rash as to predict or promise that no taxeater would lose their job.

By: Andrew Bartlett

Andrew Bartlett — Fri, 01 Jun 2007 16:42:17 +0000

I never would have thought to describe Andrew Norton as a libertarian (and it appears neither would he) – which makes it all the more interesting that he is topping the poll at the moment.

(although given the dodgy multiple voting rules combined with cookie monster activity, all rolled up in a stone age first past the post voting system, it does make it all rather less than ideal – except that it is ideal for me emphasising my point, so I’m making maximum use of it anyway and ignoring the qualifiers)

By: graemebird

graemebird — Thu, 31 May 2007 19:08:58 +0000

“I have long promised to cut taxes and maintain spending on services.”

Disgraceful. Are you saying that no taxeater need clear his desk?

By: nicholas gray

nicholas gray — Thu, 31 May 2007 05:50:58 +0000

At least Howard proved his honesty, by NOT making a promise he wasn’t going to keep!
I trust, though, that Honest Terje (Trusty Terje?) is going to keep his core election bribes?