THE DIRECT APPROACH In Lesson One we asked under what conditions terrorism might be justified, and we concluded that there are no conditions under which it’s not. This is because justification in a state of war is what, were he… Read More ›
Month: May 2021
NEAR ENOUGH GOOD ENOUGH
As a philosopher – never mind a social and political one – it’s not surprising I’d be pretty keen on freedom of expression. After all, there’s not much point taking the widow’s mite to think about things if, having thought… Read More ›
CONTEMPORARY TV JOURNALISM
Here’s what counts as TV journalism in this age of infotainment. The interviewer asks a question, the politician delivers her stump speech, which has nothing to do with the question being asked. The interviewer asks another question, and she responds… Read More ›
THE ANCHOR RACE
There’s a stiff competition between the three not-really-news news channels, CNN, MSNBC, and Fox News, as to which can boast the most irritating prime-time anchor. CNN has put three runners in the qualifying heat: Anderson Cooper, the Incessant You-Knower, Chris… Read More ›
HOW TO BE A MORE EFFECTIVE TERRORIST – LESSON FOUR
THE SO-CALLED SUICIDE BOMBER Here’s a little known fact. Someone intent on killing himself doesn’t go to the trouble of strapping sticks of dynamite to his chest, or hijacking a passenger plane. So talk of a ‘suicide bomber’ or a… Read More ›
HOW TO BE A MORE EFFECTIVE TERRORIST – LESSONS ONE THRU THREE
LESSON ONE: THE DEFENCE OF TERRORISM The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he doesn’t exist. I’m just as clever. I titled this paper so that whatever censors might be out there would think it’s obviously… Read More ›