Mid-East Views, Land and Resources.

[tcpip]

YouTube has an excellent six minute video that show many of the difficulties of Palestians living under Israeli occupation. Many of el-jays resident libertarians show themselves to be against freedom (for Palestinians). On topic, homais says some very sensible and balanced things about the current conflict in Lebanon, which are quite similar to the concerns of Johnathan Steele. How could both sides have blundered so badly?

A certain trouble maker has been warbling on about land and housing issues. The fundamental claim is correct; well meaning legislators who ration land are just as much to blame for rising house costs as a taxation system that does not capture the unearned increment in rising land prices. In other resource related news, the ALP is set to ditch their uranium policy, an action will undoubtably lose more votes than what they'll gain. Professor Emertius Ian Lowe has a different idea about energy. Further on-topic (from soulvessel Exxon is still avoiding payouts from the Valdez oil spill of 1989. You can email the CEO here.

claudine_c's speech at the Unitarians on rural health work in India was excellent. Noted the particular difficulties of dealing with an entrenched caste system and the inappropriateness of "western" medical mores. Followed by Brent McAuslan's discussion on the history of war at the philosophy group. Discussion tended towards the psychological motivations. Then the Cybernoia game which imajica_lj has summarised. In rodent news, Vagabond has hurt his spine, probably following a fall. Every dozen steps he lets out a sharp squeak of pain. He's currently drugged up on metacam and sleeping soundly ;-). Well done to dr_nic for providing the worst company URLs.

Comments

[greylock.livejournal.com]

I tried to scan the land issue.
It seemed as if he was saying one should build where one wants.
But it can't be.

I'll have to bookmark that one and puzzle it later, as I will what "a taxation system that does not capture the unearned increment in rising land prices" means.

[thebaronmk1.livejournal.com]

Bwaaaa haaa haaa haaaaa :-)

Got very strange looks in the office when looking at the URL's

Oh - and good thoughts on the difference between energy and the services it provides...

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

What he's saying is that artificial restrictions on land supply will lead, well, to less supply. Inevitably, the less supply of land available the higher the prices.

By unearned increment what is meant is the tendency for land prices to increase in market value without the owner contributing to that increase in price.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Got very strange looks in the office when looking at the URL's

Some are very scary... However I must confess I've gone to expertsexchange many times and never parsed it the way they suggested...

Oh - and good thoughts on the difference between energy and the services it provides...

Indeed! Professor Lowe seems to know what he's on about. GLW has scored quite a coup getting him to submit that article.

[greylock.livejournal.com]

What he's saying is that artificial restrictions on land supply will lead, well, to less supply. Inevitably, the less supply of land available the higher the prices.

As I said, I'll have to sit down and read it, but that seems like Economics 101 right there. Once read and digested, I'm sure I'll compose some sloppy rhetoric on why restrictions are important, and why (in Perth at least, there's no shortage of land, there's just a shortage of quarter-acre blocks close to the beach.

By unearned increment what is meant is the tendency for land prices to increase in market value without the owner contributing to that increase in price.

Nothing wrong with that, surely, at least for one's primary dwelling place? I should loathe to have to pay tax if we ever sold this house, mostly because I suspect we'd struggle to get back into the property market.
I think we have have discussed this in the dim past.

On the other hand, if you want to take the whip to speculative property investors, have at it.

[severina-242.livejournal.com]

Vagabond has hurt his spine, probably following a fall.

Are you sure he didn't injure it in a Rabbit MkII vs Rat shit fight? ;-)

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

Oh, come on, anyone for home uranium mining was a knee jerk vote changing issue has probably already defected to the Greens long ago, and it might win a few votes back the other way if the Greens are seen to be weak on greenhouse as a result of a hard anti-nuclear stance. Like it or not, nuclear energy is likely to form a part of any global shift away from coal, and certainly must form part of the debate, no matter how much Ian Lowe politely avoids mentioning it while preaching to the choir.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

No, Astaroth The Second Summoning has been segregated into a protected bunny zone whilst the rodents have a rat zone. Unless he hurt it trying to bash down a door, like Balbi used to.

...

[imajica-lj.livejournal.com]

- "Then the Cybernoia game which [info]imajica_lj has summarised."
+ "Then the Cybernoia game which [info]imajica_lj has summarised, poorly."

I kind like the notion that your flat now has a DMZ ... local sources on the ground are suggesting that perhaps Vagabond has "injured" his spine in order to attract attention and sympathy from international aid agencies.
There are reports that Bob Geldof is standing by with a battalion of aging prog-rockers, ready to halo drop in and bore both sides into submission.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I wasn't really thinking about people changing their primary vote, although that will be a factor. I'm rather thinking that Labor party activists will be significantly disinclined to do the hard yards for the party come the election period and the probable reaction of the media ("U-Mine Backflip" the front page blaze on the Herald Sun today) and the resonance in the community.

Re: ...

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

There are reports that Bob Geldof is standing by with a battalion of aging prog-rockers, ready to halo drop in and bore both sides into submission.

I have been listening to a lot of Hawkwind, no doubt about it.

However, apparently they are not just prog-rock, but also... protopunk!.

I quite like the descriptive of space-rock as well.

"attracted a motley but dedicated collection of psychedelic drugs users, science-fiction fans, and motorcycle riders."

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Nothing wrong with that, surely, at least for one's primary dwelling place?

Well look at this way; if we agree that there is a need for at least some rates, what should such rates be levied on? The site value or the capital value?

If you levy it on the capital value there is a tendency to accumulate land and let the buildings go derelict. If you levy the site, there there is tendency to use the land more efficiently.

For example:

"A few hundred people owned large areas of cow paddock and market garden and vacant land and refused to sell them for housing partly becuase they believed the speculative value of the land would rise. Such people blocked Camberwell's growth and contributed little to its municipal revenue. At Camberwell junction and other shopping centres, owners of old woodon shops were paying smaller rates than the enterprising landlords who built expensive shops and attracted business to the centre. In residential streets, landlords who allowed houses to go unpainted paid smaller rates, while the landlord who improved his property and therefor the neighbourhood's appearance and land values was penalised for his enterprise with higher taxes. The reformers argued that a new method of municipal taxation would accelerate the pace of Camberwell's growth and improve the quality of the suburb. Calling for a referendum, they carried the poll after a fierce campaign and Camberwell and Caufield became the Victorian municipalties to tax the land and not the buildings. From 1922, the new method of taxation undoubtably forced many large landowners to release vacant land for house building..."

Geoffrey Blainey, A History of Camberwell, 1980, Lothian Publishers, p86

Re: ...

[imajica-lj.livejournal.com]

> I have been listening to a lot of Hawkwind, no doubt about it.

The UN is asking the Bush administration for additional military support in the event that sanctions against the cruel and unusual tactics of the Humans of the house hold fail... the AP is also reporting that psychedelic drugs users, science-fiction fans, and motorcycle riders world wide are converting on mass to the Raelian sect.

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

If you think the party activists on the Left (and its obviously the Left we are talking about) are so invested in uranium policy that its going to overwhelm their feelings about industrial relations, etc, I'll have to say you know the Left better than I do - but I'd be pretty appalled and disappointed.

Its my feeling that the Uranium issue is an '80s hangover - firmly entrenched positions on both sides that have barely changed since then, but less of a big issue. Its something thats important as an issue within the ALP because its one of the few clear factional lines of division, but the people who cared about it more than they care about traditional ALP issues like industrial relations have largely left the ALP, IMO (or moved towards the centre like, well, just about everybody). Like most of the Green Left/Greens/left of the Dems corner of Australian politics, they will never vote for the ALP as a primary vote, and always give it a two party preferred boost over the Libs, so the ALP has stopped caring.

That, and the muddying of the waters with nuclear power being painted as a potential part of the green house solution, makes me think its not the issue for the broad electorate it once was, more an issue for people who still remember the battles of the 80s.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

I'll have to say you know the Left better than I do - but I'd be pretty appalled and disappointed.

Even if there is 10% disinclination that will be sufficient. It is an unnecessary moment of wedge politics; it will divide the Party when it needs to be united on the issue of industrial relations.


and always give it a two party preferred boost over the Libs, so the ALP has stopped caring.

That's where I think you're seriously mistaken. All that the Libs need is someone who's slightly liberal on social issues, reconciliation, gay marriage etc. and the 2nd preferences of the Greens and Democrats will happily flow.


Its my feeling that the Uranium issue is an '80s hangover - firmly entrenched positions on both sides that have barely changed since then, but less of a big issue.

Well, that's not quite true. The Ferguson group, who are nominally of the left but will vote for the right on issues like immigration, uranium mining.

[wolf-in-winter.livejournal.com]

I scanned the charming argument in the libertarian community- I found myself primarily being amused by the fact that it sounded like an argument from the "Your Say" section of The Age :)

I was lucky enough to see Ian Lowe speak at the National Press Club last year (ah, the joys of connections to Parliament that earn you a $60 lunch w. talk). I think whatever your political stance, or environmental stance, he's one of the best speakers and thinkers that the Left have on environmental issues. Not that there are not plenty of others, but certainly from his reception at the Press Club he seems to go down as less of a bitter pill to swallow, for those who might not normally agree with his standpoint.

[decrypt-era.livejournal.com]

gangster machinations abound

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

Even if there is 10% disinclination that will be sufficient.

True, but I'd be really surprised if it was even that high.

It is an unnecessary moment of wedge politics;
It only looks like wedge politics from inside the party - I think its an attempt to avoid an obvious attempt at wedge politics on energy within public debate, and I think risking alienating a few embittered 80s survivors within the left of the party is less important than losing the environmental issue to Lib spin in the general populace.

All that the Libs need is someone who's slightly liberal on social issues, reconciliation, gay marriage etc.
Though luckily the parties right are systematically eliminating all such. But I think there is a flaw in the reasoning here - surely such a hypothetical Lib, presuming they retained preselection, would also need to additionally be anti-Uranium mining as well? Such a hypothetical candidate would indeed be a real threat - but I think its pretty unlikely they exist.

not quite true. The Ferguson group

True, I do tend to forget their existence, they not being in evidence over here (and if they were, they'd probably be in the Centre rather than the Left)

pfft

[decrypt-era.livejournal.com]

homais says some very sensible and balanced things

Wasn't all that impressd, really.
While homais has collectd more data than th average person
before beginning their analysis,
and claims the aim of objectivity and avoidance of moralism,
they still fall prey to many of th ridiculous assumptions receiving widespread acceptance,
eg: the idea that Hezb'Allah instigated all this with their abduction.
The Guardian article was even less insightful.
Both pieces amount to little more than head-scratching.
Th reason for their confusion is
that they'r easily distracted by th stated aims of power structures,
which rarely match their intended aims
(altho th stated aims generally do serve th intended aims in some way).
Also, as Said pointd out time & again,
yr understanding will never be very deep
if you insist on viewing groups composed of many millions of ppl
as monolithic objects.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

That doesn't bode well for The Age ;-)


Not that there are not plenty of others, but certainly from his reception at the Press Club he seems to go down as less of a bitter pill to swallow, for those who might not normally agree with his standpoint.

That's certainly true; why do you think it's the case?

Re: pfft

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

There is a suggestion (and I have certainly raised it) that a body of "biblical fanatics" in Israel want a greater state that stretches from the brook of the Nile to the Euphrates (as per the divine promise).

These people would be in concord with those in the US military who see the sense of a single front from Palestine, Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, Iran and Afghanistan rather than several diconnected fronts.

Which would also accord with sections of Hezb'Allah (love that rewording) wanting to develop further public support in a "bring it on" sort of fashion.

You are quite correct in suggesting that even the most monollithic of groups have more factions and subfactions that anyone cares to mention. After all, one would expect an ALP insider such a myself to be painfully aware of this.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

WRT to the left, I'd be surprised is Anthony Albanese's voice will be the only one at national conference.

The thing that troubles me about this is that it has been done with no regard to party unity whatsoever. Yes, Beazley will be able to push the ammendment through; noone is going to really split the Party a few months outside of a Federal election. The left will swallow the pill, be bitter about it, and put in a half-arsed effort to rally the troops, when all the time the debate could have been thrashed out with a view of keeping everyone in happy.

WRT to the Ferguson group, well given the state of the Victorian independents....

WRT to the Liberals, there's still a small bunch of Deakinite's in Victoria. Interestingly I believe the Costello may actually be their candidate. Not being that privy (or caring that deeply) about internal Liberal Party factionalism.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

News just in: Garrett, Albanese and Lawrence oppose the proposed changes.

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,19911666-5005961,00.html

[wolf-in-winter.livejournal.com]

Several factors, that revolve around a core of respectibility.

Predominantly: well educated, well spoken, well dressed. Ian Lowe defies the 'Greeny' stereotype, and his research and educational background at least ensure that even people who are not supportive of environmentalists in general are at least willing to listen and give him his due.

[strangedave.livejournal.com]

The thing that troubles me about this is that it has been done with no regard to party unity

I don't know if Beazley could manage party unity, or a useful debate, any other way.

WRT to the Ferguson group, well given the state of the Victorian independents....

Exactly - here, groups that have links to the Right or Left but significant policy differences have tended to join the Centre, because they can do so and still enjoy both relative policy independence and a reasonably faction behind them. There are issues that change that (notably the strong links between Centres heavies and the Right that meant Stephen Smith had to take his group independent to split with teh Right and deal with the Left), but there is a trend for the Centre to give such people a home.

WRT to the Liberals, there's still a small bunch of Deakinite's in Victoria

But ever shrinking, I gather. I am actually getting quite interested in Liberal factions at the moment, as it becomes clearer just how awful the Lib Right/Uglies actually are. I'd be quite interested to know more about it, if you have any ideas where to look. Victoria seems to be the most interesting state as far as Lib factions go, with the relative manouverings of Costello, Kroger and Kennett.