Bertrand Russell says that “The essence of the liberal outlook lies not in what opinions are held but in how they are held: instead of being held dogmatically, they are held tentatively, and with a consciousness that new evidence may … Continue reading →

Platform 7 addresses misunderstandings over this paragraph in the manifesto. … the proper concern of genuine liberals and members of the Left should have been the battle to put in place in Iraq a democratic political order and to rebuild … Continue reading →

I hadn’t previously realized that platforms 1 to 8 were written by multiple people each authors of and with slightly different takes on the Euston Manifesto. Platform 5 is particularly good and addresses many of the misperceptions about the manifesto. … Continue reading →

I find it frustrating that, in the US, the two party system is so firmly entrenched that other voices are only reluctantly heard and then only every four years. It leads to unholy alliances such as the one between the … Continue reading →

I have been reading through NormBlog’s criticism of the criticism of the Euston Manifesto. In platform one, he points out something that I noticed too. So many of the commentators have missed what seemed to me a central point : … Continue reading →

The meme travelling through blogs from Scott Adam’s to Andrew Sullivan’s this week is that the high cost of oil proves that the war in Iraq was not about oil. The proof goes something like this If we (the US) … Continue reading →

It’s a statement of principles drawn up by a group of progressives in London. 15 powerful paragraphs of truth and clarity. I would sign my name to every sentence (even the one about open source). Here’s its conclusion : It … Continue reading →

Andrew Sullivan just watched A Man for all Seasons which tells the tale of Thomas More’s struggles with Henry VIII over the relationship between religion, the law and executive power. Roper: So now you’d give the Devil benefit of law! … Continue reading →

Just watched Stephen Colbert at the White House Correspondent’s Dinner. I would’ve made a fabulous press secretary. I have nothing but contempt for these people. Incredible.