Dr Strangelove (how I learned to stop worrying and love Boris)

And it’s ayep from me aswell.

 

Here are two examples. Removal (by Govewhen education secretary) of books perceived to have socialist values in favour of classics. Also there is a recent directive that anything that promotes another political system with communism being an example is to be classed as extremism and schools who do will fail Ofsted. Ironically I’d say when we see the current system creaking for those most in need (children) .

 

BBC news at 10 saying they think they have enough ... Laura reckons we'll hear more tomorrow afternoon... Taxi for Big Dog

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-60047388

 

Hmm, seems to me that its difficult to argue with the sentiment that promotion of material containing “"a publicly stated desire to abolish or overthrow democracy, capitalism, or to end free and fair elections”; opposition to freedom of speech; the use of racist, including antisemitic, language; the endorsement of illegal activity; and a failure to condemn illegal activities done in support of their cause" is a good thing. What banning that material means, in reality, is something different. It doesn't have to mean not teaching kids about certain aspects of British history as John McDonnell, who, lets face it, isn't exactly a balanced judge, stated at the time. Nor does it necessarily have to mean banning writers like William Morris, Iris Murdoch, Thomas Paine in schools. It could simply mean not promoting groups currently operating who espouse the values opposed by the directive. Plus, all of that information would still be available outside of schools. The only problem in that statement that I can see is the bit about capitalism, which seems to be what has upset the left the most.

 

My issue is more about capitalism in relation to the green agenda not McDonnell. I’d say if there are alternative political systems that could be explored that are beneficial to the planet other than our current one that’s a healthy way of developing thinking in young people. I do a lot of philosophical enquiry and it encourages creative and critical thinking. To shut down conversation about capitalism being bad - and clearly many people , countries and the environment are losers from it - is mind control. Our way or you’re an extremist. It’s part of development , youth to explore this. It should be a safe space for exploration. These thoughts need to be explored. Add to this the anti protest legislation and you’ve got a worryingly dictatorial direction of travel based on political ideology.

 

I'd be glad to see the back of Johnson if only so I never have to witness his overly theatrical elbow bumps ever again ...

... he's like Christopher Biggins as Widow Twankey

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That seems to be a reaction to teachers deliberately pushing their political beliefs.

It's perfectly possible to teach kids about politics without pushing them one way or the other. You just have to be professional about it.

 

Kids are idealistic through inexperience. There’s a framework of things that are wrong - violence, intolerance, exploitation etc but I’d say the rest is about teaching critical thinking - the strengths and weaknesses of beliefs - not shutting it down because it isn’t in keeping with the beliefs of a free market capitalist government. All systems are harmful capitalism, communism, dictatorship, democracy - all have winners and loses. Critical thinking is crucial.

 

Well said David Davis MP.

 

Pushing whatever your beliefs are onto kids isn't teaching critical thinking though. I'd rather they learned the classics than be told one system - whichever system - can do no wrong and the other can do no right depending on which way the teacher sees it.

 

No but allowing people to have beliefs is teaching critical thinking is my point. What do you mean by ‘learn the classics’?

 

I agree its wrong to stifle debate about any important issue. But that's (perhaps subtly) different to clamping down on information which actively promotes the overthrow of a particular economic system. You can discuss the pros and cons of capitalism without introducing literature which says "smash capitalism".
Personally, I think capitalism is an imperfect system but about the best we can realistically achieve. I study past societies for a living and the majority have some kind of hierarchical system. If you create a hierarchical vacuum, someone realises they can fill it. As has been demonstrated in countries which adopted Communism, only to end up under authoritarian rule. At least with modern democracy combined with capitalism, the majority have the opportunity to cast their vote and have the potential for social mobility. A softer capitalism is perhaps needed and I see no reason why that can't be more environmentally beneficial. A lot of the 'green' information that is pushed into the public sphere is misleading and that needs to be addressed.
As for the anti-protest legislation, while I disagreed with some elements of it, I supported others, particularly making glueing/attaching yourself to infrastructure or other forms of disrupting infrastructure a crime. Preventing people from going about their daily business is anti-social.

 

Removal (by Govewhen education secretary) of books perceived to have socialist values in favour of classics

 

They’ll be removing Oliver Twist next cos they are foodbank deniers.

 

See for me that’s a perfect example. If a kid writes ‘smash capitalism’ you ask for a definition - what does it mean ? It should be open for discussion and debate and to ask for the alternative and discuss that so they shape their argument, and only by comparing communism’s and capitalism might you reach for the softer version of each. People who like communism aren’t necessarily extremists any more than libertarian capitalists like Gove.

 

I think you may have misunderstood me. I meant that kids can discuss the pros and cons of capitalism, or any other political/economic system, without the need to refer to sources that advocate the destruction of one or other of these systems. Or, as the government have put it literature which contains "a publicly stated desire to abolish or overthrow democracy, capitalism, or to end free and fair elections". It would seem fairly obvious to me that this legislation is to prevent the dissemination of what might rightly be termed extremist literature and not to prevent kids from accessing scholarly or academic work describing how these systems work.

 

So the Tories are backing Johnson. What a disgrace of a party. Johnson is the face of a whole party laughing at the British public. If you voted for these hang your head in shame. Disaster of a Brexit deal, failed economics, phenomenally high death rates and multiple examples of disrespect for British values - tolerance, democracy and the rule of law. These arrogant toffs need a bloody nose in any future elections.

 

And if they don’t get one, what does that tell you?