tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1725411122663433189.post5844394983911393532..comments2024-01-04T19:27:02.335-08:00Comments on Zenpolitics: Pandemic, lockdown and authoritarianism - no illumination in the vacuous world of Covid-19 denialJohn Hilleyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10072819649049077782noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1725411122663433189.post-27398588443813409152020-10-05T14:53:02.911-07:002020-10-05T14:53:02.911-07:00Thank you kindly for your valid comments, John. Ye...Thank you kindly for your valid comments, John. Yes, I think it's important to keep making the case for rational enquiry, serious science and social collectivism against this pernicious conspiracist nonsense and crude 'libertarianism'. I don't visit TLN much these days, though believe there's still a few good voices there. Your words on the proactive policies and situation in New Zealand says it all about what could have been in the UK, though with Scotland on a subsequent and more hopeful learning curve. Stay well and best wishes to all your family. <br />Regards, JohnJohn Hilleyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10072819649049077782noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1725411122663433189.post-1548983256372452982020-10-04T17:53:16.883-07:002020-10-04T17:53:16.883-07:00Thank you John, a thoughtful and informed posting ...Thank you John, a thoughtful and informed posting - a great riposte to those on the "Lifeboat News" who so readily ape their political opponents with their ignorant, actually risible, conspiracy theories about so many things, not just Covid, in the process diverting themselves from the more rational and more essential criticisms about everything else that's been going on in the last forty years - as you so cogently point out. (I found your post via Lifeboat News, I do occasionally visit, but haven't contributed for some time and will not be in the future, and though I can see why Rhysiart has been banned, I don't think he was actually the worst offender - there's a whole crowd of them now - in particular their continued anti-science take on vaccines was incorrigible, totally immune to rational argument and medically informed persuasion - I write as the only medically qualified person (that I know of) contributing.) . This is just a preliminary comment, as I've only had a quick read of this post. I'll read it again tonight. Best wishes from Covid free Aotearoa. We have our fair share of ignorance and conspiracy theory here (indeed my brother in law this morning reported a whole crowd of QAnon believers in the local health food shop), the difference is that it hasn't extended to our leadership, thank goodness. I was able to go to two classical chamber music concerts yesterday with no concerns for my health, despite my being over 70. So keep well over there, we have three daughters live in London and I have family of my age and older in Yorkshire and Scotland, so I do worry a bit about them. Keep well and the same to your family, John MonroJohn Mhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17520397514108205334noreply@blogger.com