Johnathan Corgan writes
Was this whole project a giant scam? Has this been objectively demonstrated, or just suspected/believed?
Some of the participants were less than truthfull, to me and to others. Was it a scam? In some cases they no doubt believed that it was all for the greater good. In other cases -- if some people made money out of it, then it was a scam. If it was not a scam, then still they pursued their goal by evil means. I doubt that anyone made money out of it. Either way they are untrustworthy people. Myself, I would rather be stabbed in front than behind. The man who loudly says he is your friend, and loudly points to common enemies, is seldom your friend. The Oceania project will not succeed, though I wish it well. There is an alternative project that might succeed, perhaps is already succeeding: Many governments now recognize that they are incapable of governing in a fashion that permits a modern technological society. So they are leasing -- not selling, but long term leases -- regions to be governed by more competent third parties. Singapore is a major beneficiary of this. They find government by Singapore particularly comforting because Singapore has demonstrated expertise in minimizing the dangerous infection of freedom that accompanies capitalism. But I am happy to report the disease seems difficult to contain. Those free trade zones and special economic zones that are most successful, are those that are most thoroughly free. -- --------------------------------------------------------------------- We have the right to defend ourselves and our property, because of the kind of animals that we James A. Donald are. True law derives from this right, not from the arbitrary power of the omnipotent state. jamesd@netcom.comorg