ELSEWHERE

Japan goes for missile defence: "Japan is now thinking only to acquire a sophisticated missile defence system. This capacity will protect her against incoming missiles. In fact, Japan's Cabinet decided on December 19, 2003, to work with the United States to deploy a ballistic missile defence system (BMD). This decision is a significant shift from its "pacifist" stance and is likely to have far-reaching implications for security in the Asia-Pacific region. Until now, Japan's work on missile defence, spurred by North Korea's test of a long-range missile in 1998, has been limited to research and development. Under the plan, Tokyo will contribute 100 billion yen to acquire key US-made technologies, with a further 600 billion yen contribution expected over the next five years. Washington will provide substantial technological support for Tokyo's BMD project". It looks like they don't think that what the media calls "Star Wars" is so ridiculous.

More glories of socialized medicine: "Dozens of ambulances were left circling the streets yesterday after most of Sydney's hospitals were put on code red. Sixteen of the 24 emergency departments across the city were full and only accepting patients whose conditions were life-threatening. Tony O'Connell, in charge of improving patient flow through hospitals, said 32 ambulances were struggling to offload their patients after the hospitals went on code red from about 3.30pm to 4.45pm. And Mr O'Connell admitted the same problem had occurred the day before".

Bill's on our side! "Microsoft boss Bill Gates and the so-called Sage of Omaha, Warren Buffett, joined around 100 other luminaries this week in Microsoft's home town, Redmond, Washington, for the CEO Summit.... Much of the first day was taken up with web logs, commonly known as "blogs". Mr Gates didn't announce plans for his own web log, but his speech extolled the virtues of the online journals and related technologies".

Child abuse by the courts: "The judgement by a single judge of the Family Court approving sexual reassignment for a 13-year-old warrants review as it appears to be based on a lack of adequate medical evidence. There is a need for the State and Federal Attorneys-General to ensure that the case is assessed by a higher court, and to engage a more balanced selection of medical experts. Alex is 13 and suffers from a mental illness that causes her distress and anxiety and social dislocation. Her father, with whom she was close, died traumatically of a stroke. She has no contact with her mother who is remarried."

Leftist antisemitism becoming routine again: The magazine is Vancouver-based Adbusters, an often-subversive left-wing publication that made its name by opposing consumerism and advertising while supporting activism and anti-globalization efforts. In its March-April issue, it carried a piece by editor Kalle Lasn entitled 'Why Won't Anyone Say They Are Jewish?' in which he published a list of people he considers the 50 most influential neoconservatives in America and identified the Jews by putting an asterisk next to their names." Hitler's antisemitism too simply made him a normal Leftist of his day.

How surprising! -- NOT: "OutRage and Queer Youth Alliance went to the protest march at Trafalgar Square to show their support for people of Palestine. But they also urged the Palestinian Authority to halt the arrest, torture and murder of homosexuals. As soon as they arrived at the square to members of the two groups were surrounded by an angry, screaming mob of Islamic fundamentalists, Anglican clergymen, members of the Socialist Workers Party, the Stop the War Coalition, and officials from the protest organizers, the Palestine Solidarity Campaign (PSC)."

Robert Musil has an amusing article on the mythical "man shortage" that many women past their first youth complain of. He has a story suggesting that the incredible fussiness of the women concerned is a major part of the problem. Feminists did tell them that they "could have it all", didn't they? Reality is not so accommodating. What man in his right mind would want to spend his life with a highly demanding woman anyway?

For more postings, see GREENIE WATCH and POLITICAL CORRECTNESS WATCH. Mirror sites here and here

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The Left have always wanted more spent on welfare and made "Fascism" a swear-word. President Bush deposed a brutal Fascist dictator and sponsored a big expansion of welfare. But instead of being admired by the Left, he is hated with a passion. What does that tell you about the Left? It tells you that they have no principles at all: That everything they have ever claimed to stand for is fake.

All politicians seek power but conservatives bring with them some concern for the welfare of their country. Leftists bring only their hate-filled Stalinist hearts and their pretend compassion. Voters, unfortunately, often believe the compassion is genuine

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