JFK on Wikileaks (yes I know he's dead;))

The very word "secrecy" is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths and to secret proceedings. We decided long ago that the dangers of excessive and unwarranted concealment of pertinent facts far outweighed the dangers which are cited to justify it. Even today, there is little value in opposing the threat of a closed society by imitating its arbitrary restrictions. Even today, there is little value in insuring the survival of our nation if our traditions do not survive with it. And there is very grave danger that an announced need for increased security will be seized upon by those anxious to expand its meaning to the very limits of official censorship and concealment. That I do not intend to permit to the extent that it is in my control. And no official of my Administration, whether his rank is high or low, civilian or military, should interpret my words here tonight as an excuse to censor the news, to stifle dissent, to cover up our mistakes or to withhold from the press and the public the facts they deserve to know. (President John F. Kennedy Waldorf-Astoria Hotel - New York City, April 27, 1961)

Wholesale marketisation of society

The phrase is from a Guardian article today, the day of the student protest against the tripling of tuition fees, and the coalition vote (probably) in favour. Two issues, 1. is that politicians always change once they have power, and ditch many of their ideals. The question needing to be asked is what is the cause of this? And 2. Everything is becoming consumer driven, the NHS and education are now also rapidly moving in this direction. The writer highlights 'the idea that human progress is now and for ever linked to free markets and corporate interests'. This is profoundly and depressingly wrong, and as a society we are already paying a high price for it. Things will get worse unless we turn back to God. Maybe a glib thing to say, but not something to expand on in this post...