But what has climate change got to do with it?

*Thumbs up thinghy*

Uhh, not that I am a massive supporter of Cameron (or necessarily democracy) but this all sounds rather sensible:

http://www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/article919482.ece?startindex=-1

But perhaps it is the next line which could be most useful for the launch … “Brave Hungarian peasant girl who forced King John to sign the pledge at Runnymede and close the boozers at half past ten! Is all this to be forgotton?”

http://www.phespirit.info/hancock/hancock_41.htm

I shall not go through the facts of this case again, save to suggest to you there is some element of doubt in this boy’s guilt. As Shakespeare said in ‘The Merchant Of Vienna’, when Portion accused Shylock Holmes of pinching a pound of meat: “The quality of mercy is not strain’d, it droppeth like the gentle rain from heaven, upon the place beneath: it is twice bless’d, twice bless’d, the sign of good – no – it blesseth him that gives, and him that takes.” Take the case of Doubting Thomas, who was sent to Coventry for looking through a keyhole at Lady Godiva. Can anybody prove he was looking at her? Can anybody prove it was he who shouted out: “get your hair cut”? Of course not, this is sheer supposition! Does Magna Carta mean nothing to you? Did she die in vain? Brave Hungarian peasant girl who forced King John to sign the pledge at Runnymede and close the boozers at half past ten! Is all this to be forgotton? My friends, it is not John Harrison Peabody who is on trial here today but the fair name of British justice, and I ask you to send that poor boy back to the loving arms of his poor white-haired old mother a free man! I thank you!

That’s fair enough, would be good to make it a bit more specific imo. I was worried it might be to appease the crackpots who believe there’s an army of people monitoring and compiling a database of oystercard information.

http://www.johnmaszka.com/SURVEY.html

I would really value your opinion and the opinion of your readers. The long-term goal of this project is to facilitate a more diplomatic American foreign policy in the years ahead.
Thank you,

John Maszka

Anyway, off-topic rubbish aside, great idea Anthony! I’ll be there!

I might have to reconsider my support…

Why does Benn not criticise Castro for lack of elections

You fail to understand; democracy is only for us, not for them…

“Travel scrutiny” is a bit cryptic
I’m referring to E-Borders and the incoming legislation demanding we give the authorities detailed information about ourselves, where we are going and who are are with before we leave. Henry Porter refers to it as an “exit permit”. See http://tinyurl.com/d9kwjl These processes are still underway.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magna_Carta_2

“But it goes wider than the political system as we have known it. It isn’t exclusive, on the contrary it’s about linking up organisations, campaigns and blogs.”

It also needs to go deeper, we need to change how we think and how we take responsibility for our freedom.

Nader n. Chokr who was Professor of Philosophy at Shandong University has written a useful essay on how we should shape our own education to provide for “Democracy to Come”

it’s called:
Unlearning or “How not to be Governed”
it’s published by Societas

It takes the “learnign not lecturing” idea mentioned above one step further and points our how much we need to question and “unlearn” what we have been taught so that we can develop “a good and capable citizen, trained for freedom, autonomy and virtue”

Someone should invite Chokr over here

Sorry if this looks like lectuing rather than learning.

Elizabeth

The traditional constitutional arrangements have been overridden and this has contributed to a widespread feeling of detachment between elected representatives and voters. We need to address separation of powers within parliament so future governments remain accountable throughout their term of office. It is no longer sufficient to suggest that a vote once every five years provides a sufficient check on government powers especially when electoral mandates are based on a minority of votes and voters.

Excellent project.

have also posted on the campaign
http://www.nextleft.org/2009/05/did-magna-carta-die-in-vain.html