I think what Mirko is saying is that it is far ruder to throw missiles at politicians out of indignation than it is to drop them on the homes of innocents in foreign countries.

The Howard haters in this thread have proven Mirko's point.

Howard is not a bad person because he joined and supported a war which the Australian left disagreed with and continues to disagree with.

If you disagree with Howard, you are more than welcome to say so. But when you cite the Iraq war as a justification for throwing shoes at the ex-PM you are showing your lack of civility and only discrediting yourself.

If you really believe you are right, then try to engage in rational discussion with those you disagree with in order to understand their viewpoint and test your own. That's a far better approach than throwing shoes at your opponent or spewing out vitriol.

"Before I disclose my data nailing the left..."
-Mirko

Speaking as a student of science, I feel it is incumbent upon me to point out that data is not the plural of anecdote.

"Most of my writing is informed by one underlying principle. It's called utilitarianism....I also oppose euthanasia, abortion."
-Mirko

Clearly not the utilitarianism that I'm familiar with, that of Mill & Bentham. For I am also largely utilitarianist, and it leads me to support abortion and euthanasia.

"Mirko, was your article an attempt at distraction? The SHOES were thrown at A WAR CRIMINAL.

Did you write any articles when John Howard sent WAR PLANES and SOLDIERS to bomb and invade other countries?"

So when do we get shoes thrown at Bob Hawke, (Gulf War I), Kevin Rudd (GWII and Afghanistan Supporter), Julia Gillard (GWII and Afghanistan Supporter)

Or is it only John Howard who qualifies in your mind as a WAR CRIMINAL, why is that? Besides blind hatered of conservatives that is.

When did the ICC determine John Howard was a war criminal, or is that just your opinion?

I don't completely agree with Mirko, or disagree completely, but clearly some people feel there is a need for abuse and calls for censorship, when disagreeing with an opinion.

Dear Mirko,

that was an interesting blend of flighty, self-promoting declamation. I have to wonder if you've ever come up with anything useful or noteworthy in your impressive oeuvre, because I've never heard of you? So I'm one from the left you haven't provoked. Indeed if this groundless tirade is anything to go by I wonder if your claims add up; that your "data" "nails" the Left. To begin with, despite your piebald politics I would put you firmly in the conservative camp, which would explain your assertion that leftist rants far outnumber "polite" dissent from the "certainly nicer" right. This doesn't tally with Phillip Adams's legendary accounts of his hate-mail from the right, who apparently unable to couch their contempt sufficiently in profanities, are wont to post him the occasional turd as well. How many turds have you received from the left to date? Now that would be far more tangible data.

As for the content of your article, there are some things I agree with: it's true that the left has been rebelling without a cause (a reform agenda degenerated into PC), and I also believe in animal rights. But utilitarianism is a form of bureaucracy that promotes a dehumanisingly homogeneous existence, and in any case in practice is a vicious nationalism that cares nothing for human rights outside its boarders.

It's about time the Left did "see the light", that the only worthwhile "cause" is to overthrow this rotten system (how you can reconcile it with animal rights is beyond me). The fact that so many people are rebellious and depressed, even within our boarders, is a pretty good indication for mine that life is not what it should be---that is that humanity is demeaned qua its potential.

So what makes you think you've seen the light?

It is SO sad that you seem to think that to find social justice battles you must look overseas. Australia has the worst disability support system in the developed world - almost devoid of support at all. Just think of all those young parents who cannot get essential therapies and early intervention for their kids, people who wait so long for wheelchairs that they've outgrown them when they arrive and all those elderly parents who have cared for a lifetime and still have nowhere for their son or daughter to go. This is not a lucky country if you're disabled or if you have a disabled family member - no human flourishing here. The need for disability reform and the proposed National Disability Insurance Fund has been the No 1 Campaign suggestion on the Get Up site. But it's not sexy or attractive enough for them, either. Remember, one day it could be you or it could be yours.