March 19, 2003

The Ideals of Young Idiots

The Ideals of Young Idiots

As I was shopping with Mrs Holford and the sprog in the city centre yesterday, a not yet post-adolescent young man handed me four-page (folded A3) publication which in the masthead claims to be “Hereford’s favourite FREE anarchist news sheet”. Now call me out of touch, but I wasn’t aware that Hereford had any other anarchist news sheets, or that other such news sheets might only be available in exchange for cash.

This FREE news sheet is published by the Herefordshire Anarchist Group. I was informed within the pages of the sheet itself that until recently the Group was simply called “Hereford Anarchists” but they changed their name because the new appellation “sounded far more inclusive and organised”. Os it just me, or isn’t lack or organisation the whole point of anarchy?

These anarchists contend that “the destruction of capitalism is absolutely vital.” They also “see no purpose in the state.” Somehow I don’t think that they realise capitalism is necessary for their parents to support them and that when their parents are fed up with them as useless leeches, they will need the state to pay their dole money.

Oh, and this news sheet is only FREE if it is handed to me in the street. I can subscribe to receive it six times a year by sending £2 of my capital to their PO Box which is located, oddly, in another county.

Now for something from the opposite end of the political spectrum...

Europe’s Only Absolute Monarchy

This week, voters in Liechtenstein created Europe’s only absolute monarchy. Prince Hans-Adam II joins the likes of King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and the Sultan of Brunei. Under the new constitution ratified on Monday, he won the right to veto bills, sack the government and adopt emergency laws. There is also a provision in the constitution to abolish the monarchy altogether by referendum, but this is unlikely anytime soon. The new system won by a landslide 64% of the vote with a turnout of 87% of the electorate.

I can’t actually read the new constitution, as it is in German, but it appears that Hans-Adam II lacks some of the powers of his counterparts elsewhere in the world. There are apparently no provisions for torture or whimsical beheading. How does he expect to get any respect from his fellow absolute monarchs without these?

Posted by david at March 19, 2003 11:11 PM
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