HETTY

Tag: Commentary

  • Legal Corporate Personhood

    If you had the power to change one law, what would it be and why?

    Ok, this is a thinker, and I had to research this some. I’m not a lawyer or work in law, so I hope that this makes sense.

    I would change the concept of Legal or Juridical Personhood. It is a legal concept that’s the foundation of a number of laws in different countries, including the 14th Amendment in the US. By law, corporations, non government organizations, colleges, hospitals, churches, and really any non human entity like rivers can be granted Personhood if it has certain qualities like paying taxes and owning property. It’s a concept that seems to exist in business, government, and the judiciary.

    It’s by law a fictional type of person. But this concept has powers that real persons do not, like surviving the deaths of owners and corporate members, and since many of these corporations ( not all) focus on profit and property, they often have more resources than real working people do. So they do have more power and resources than the ordinary person does.

    They can hire lobbyists to influence government, invest more in political ads on different media, donate to candidates in their favor , have the resources to hire top lawyers, own much more property than the average person, have better access to bank loans and political deals, and sometimes be a monopoly in a certain business.

    It just seems unfair to have the needs of fictional abstract “persons” to often take priority over real persons. So I would change that part of the law. Corporations are organizations with certain mechanisms that help with a goal, like making profit, or accomplishing a mission like healthcare. They are the legal equivalent of a bot. ~H

  • Oh, the dream!

    What would you do if you won the lottery?

    Understand, I don’t play the lottery or gamble all that much. I know that the odds of winning a good sum of money from the lottery are really bad, and I maybe gamble once or twice a year at a casino, and it’s been small amounts that I can part with.

    I know that I can get out of control with gambling, but I think over time, I’m out 200$ between my lifetime winnings and losses. The most I ever won was over 400$ in Las Vegas, and I bowed out and paid bills soon after.

    However, if I did win a jackpot or even 100,000$, I would pay off any debt, give gifts to my family and friends. Maybe 2000$-$5000 each, depending on the winning amount. I would donate to some charities and the underdog political party of my choice, and then buy a ticket to The Netherlands or a Caribbean region country, get an investment visa, and try to live a comfortable and peaceful middle class lifestyle for the rest of my life. Invest and save a sum if I have any money left over. Of course, pay any necessary taxes.

    Of course I’d buy stuff, and I have my eye on some pricy items. No house or car though.

    Oh, and if I ever did ever win the big jackpot, I’m choosing the installment pay option. I don’t want to get too stupid with a large amount of money.

    And the dream bubble popped! Back to a humble existence. ~H

  • 17 Bertrand Russell Quotes

    17 Bertrand Russell Quotes

    Here are some of the best and most thought-provoking quotes by the philosopher and mathematician Bertrand Russell:

    1. “The whole problem with the world is that fools and fanatics are always so certain of themselves, and wiser people so full of doubts.”

    2. “To fear love is to fear life, and those who fear life are already three parts dead.”

    3. “The good life is one inspired by love and guided by knowledge.”

    4. “Do not fear to be eccentric in opinion, for every opinion now accepted was once eccentric.”

    5. “War does not determine who is right — only who is left.”

    6. “The secret of happiness is this: let your interests be as wide as possible, and let your reactions to the things and persons that interest you be as far as possible friendly rather than hostile.”

    7. “Science is what you know, philosophy is what you don’t know.”

    9. “Education is what remains after one has forgotten what one has learned in school.”

    10. “The time you enjoy wasting is not wasted time.”

    11. “Men are born ignorant, not stupid; they are made stupid by education.”

    12. “The secret to happiness is to face the fact that the world is horrible.”

    13. “No one gossips about other people’s secret virtues.”

    14. “The only thing that will redeem mankind is cooperation.”

    15. “To conquer fear is the beginning of wisdom.”

    16. “Religion is something left over from the infancy of our intelligence, it will fade away as we adopt reason and science as our guidelines.”

    17. “One is often told that it is a very wrong thing to attack religion, because religion makes men virtuous. So I am told; I have not noticed it.”

  • How People Survived Fascism

    Survivors of fascism have endured profound and often harrowing experiences under regimes characterized by authoritarian control, suppression of dissent, and widespread human rights abuses. Their stories reveal the devastating impact of fascist rule on individuals and communities, as well as the resilience and courage required to endure and resist.

    Many survivors recount living in constant fear due to pervasive surveillance, arbitrary arrests, and brutal punishments for any perceived opposition.

    Families were frequently torn apart, with loved ones imprisoned, exiled, or worse.

    Daily life under fascism often involved restrictions on freedom of speech, assembly, and press, making it dangerous to express any dissenting opinions.

    Experiences also include witnessing or surviving targeted violence against marginalized groups, including ethnic minorities, political opponents, and other vulnerable populations.

    Forced labor, internment in concentration camps, and systematic persecution were tragically common.

    Despite these hardships, survivors’ testimonies often highlight acts of solidarity, resistance, and hope. Many participated in underground movements, helped hide those persecuted, or found ways to maintain their dignity and humanity in the face of oppression.

    These firsthand accounts are invaluable for understanding the human cost of fascism and serve as powerful reminders of the importance of vigilance against tyranny and the defense of democratic values.

    Organizations and memorial projects around the world work to preserve these stories, ensuring that the lessons of the past inform our present and future.

  • Fascist Regimes in History

    Fascism is a political ideology characterized by authoritarianism, nationalism, and often a dictatorial leadership. Throughout history, several regimes have been identified as fascist or exhibiting fascist characteristics.

    Here are some of the most well-known fascist regimes:

    – **Italy under Benito Mussolini (1922–1943):** Often considered the original fascist regime, Mussolini’s government emphasized nationalism, militarism, and the suppression of political opposition.

    – **Germany under Adolf Hitler (Nazi Party) (1933–1945):** The Nazi regime combined fascist ideology with extreme racism and anti-Semitism, leading to World War II and the Holocaust.

    – **Spain under Francisco Franco (1939–1975):** While Franco’s regime is sometimes described as authoritarian or nationalist, it shared many characteristics with fascism, including centralized control and suppression of dissent.

    – **Portugal under António de Oliveira Salazar (Estado Novo) (1932–1968):** Salazar’s regime was authoritarian and nationalist with some fascist elements, emphasizing traditional values and anti-communism.

    – **Hungary under Miklós Horthy and the Arrow Cross Party (early 1920s–1945):** Horthy’s regime leaned authoritarian, and the later Arrow Cross Party (1944–1945) was explicitly fascist and aligned with Nazi Germany.

    – **Romania under Ion Antonescu (1940–1944):** A military dictator who allied with Nazi Germany and led a government with fascist policies.

    – **Japan (1930s–1945):** While Japan’s government was militaristic and authoritarian during this period, it didn’t fully adopt Western-style fascism but shared similarities in nationalism and expansionism.

    These regimes varied in their specific policies and implementations but shared core elements of fascism such as authoritarian rule, nationalism, and the suppression of opposition.

    It’s important to note that the term “fascism” can be complex and interpretations vary among historians. Some regimes exhibit fascist traits without fully fitting the definition. Each regime had unique features shaped by their own historical and cultural contexts. ~H