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Post by Wayne Hall on May 3, 2005 6:44:20 GMT -5
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Post by Wayne Hall on May 3, 2005 6:46:15 GMT -5
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Post by Wayne Hall on May 3, 2005 6:47:18 GMT -5
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Aki Orr
Sept 21, 2005 8:30:13 GMT -5
Post by Wayne Hall on Sept 21, 2005 8:30:13 GMT -5
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Post by Wayne Hall on May 6, 2007 2:17:19 GMT -5
I post this message from Aki Orr despite the fact that I disagree with the conceptions in it. Direct Democracy should involve the availability of the alternative of voting for a legislative assembly comprising citizens working as a collectivity, not politicans accountable to voters as individuals or as individuals organized in parties.
I regard Aki Orr's analysis as much more useful and interesting than his proposals.
WH
After the fiasco of the Lebanon-2 campaign PM Olmert set up an inquiry committee. He expected it to come up with a mild report not blaming the political top level, like the committee set up after the Yom Kippur fiasco in 1973. But the committee did a thorough investigation and came up with a report accusing Chief of Staff Haluts, PM Olmert, and Minister of Defense Peretz, for failing to fulfill their duties properly.
Halutz - an air force commander - was fixated on a "Conception" that the war could be settled by air strikes only. He refused to use ground forces or mobilize reserves. He ignored opposing views and silenced criticism in the army and outside. Olmert and Peretz - lacking any experience in defense matters -accepted Halutz's views, failed to consult opposing views, and allowed an arrogant pilot to manipulate them. They Ok ed an adventurous raid after the UN ceasefire was declared in an attempt to tro give the army a chance to claim a prestige victory.
The raid failed and dozens of soldiers were killed.
The ground forces were neglected for 5 years and lacked equipment and training for the Hizballah campaign despite repeated warnings by local commanders.
When the report was published last Monday the whole country was in an uproar. The press demanded from Olmert and Peretz - RESIGN. A demo of 100,000 took place in T-A demanding their resignation. However, if they resign new elections will bring Bibi and the Likud to power.
They could do a reshuffle in the cabinet without calling elections but Olmert is against it. He declared he will not resign despite the report. Many Israeli leftists did not join the demo fearing it will work for Bibi and the Likud.
This is Aki Orr's leaflet:
What AFTER RESIGNATION?
Replace corrupt and failing politicians by more corrupt and failing ones?
Replace old representatives by new representatives?
Or replace the entire system of representatives by all citizens voting directly on policies?
A President accused of rape, a Minister of Treasury sacked for sexual harassment, another - accused of corruption,
a PM, Minister of Defense and Chief of Staff who failed in their duties, of course they must all be replaced, but by whom?
Or by what?
Not representatives must be replaced but the entire system authorizing a few people to decide policy for millions yet denying this right to the citizens themselves.
Some believe that "Politics corrupts".
This is false. What corrupts is authority to decide for others - in the home, at work, in school, and in the State.
Abolishing authority to decide for others will abolish most corruption and inefficiency.
Today every citizen can propose and vote on policies by mobile phone or internet.
Many believe most citizens lack the knowledge required for such decisions.
They confuse a decision with a conclusion.
Doctors, lawyers and engineers need certificates qualifying them to practice their trade but Presidents or
Prime Ministers have no certificates qualifying them to practice their roles.
Why? Because making decisions is a role based on priorities not a skill based on knowledge.
If an ignoramus like Bush can be President so can every normal person.
Politicians are not experts on the issues they decide.
They consult experts and choose one of the options they suggest.
Choosing an option depends on priorities not on skill.
Citizens have priorities just like politicians.
The only solution to corruption and failures in politics is that all citizens will debate and vote directly on policies instead of voting for others to do so for them.
Today this is technically possible.
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Aki Orr
Aug 17, 2008 7:33:03 GMT -5
Post by Wayne Hall on Aug 17, 2008 7:33:03 GMT -5
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Aki Orr
Nov 20, 2008 23:14:04 GMT -5
Post by Wayne Hall on Nov 20, 2008 23:14:04 GMT -5
Yesterday, Nov. 20, 2008, the PLO published in ALL major Israeli daily newspapers the policy statement of the ARAB LEAGUE of 2003, (signed by 57 Arab or Muslim States) pledging to sign
full peace and establish full normal relations with Israel if It returns to its pre 1967 borders and lets the Palestinians set up their independent State with East Jerusalem as its capital.
The publication of this policy statement by the PLO as a full-page advert in the Israeli daily press is an unprecedented political act of major importance. since - like all ads in the daily press -
It constitutes a direct appeal not just to the government, but to every Israeli citizen.
>From now on it is no longer Israel's government which has to respond to this all-Arab peace move, but every Israeli citizen.
>From now on all Israeli claims that:
"There is no partner for peace on the Palestinian side"
or
"The Arabs don't want Peace. They only want to exterminate us"
will sound hollow when it comes from anyone who rejected the Arab League peace offer.
Israeli citizens will vote in January 2009 for a new Knesset.
Their vote will constitute their answer to the Arab League peace offer.
I hope most Israeli voters accept this offer.
Akiva ORR (Israel)
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Aki Orr
Sept 6, 2009 22:02:06 GMT -5
Post by Wayne Hall on Sept 6, 2009 22:02:06 GMT -5
Aki Orr asked me to post this link:
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Aki Orr
Sept 8, 2009 17:32:58 GMT -5
Post by Wayne Hall on Sept 8, 2009 17:32:58 GMT -5
PART 2
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Aki Orr
Mar 10, 2010 9:35:27 GMT -5
Post by Wayne Hall on Mar 10, 2010 9:35:27 GMT -5
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