You have to be prepared to make hard laws when a situation needs it.

Don't worry Individual, Islamic law will fix that, when they take over. Shouldn't be too long either, if Indonesia doesn't run out of old leaky boats some time soon.

This article purports to be a review of Chris Hedges' book "Death of the Liberal Class", (relating to US politics), but reads as a veiled and heavily biased attack on Liberal politics generally - both in the US and here in Aus. And it's a pretty poor effort - IMHO.

The closing statement amply demonstrates the author's bias and pre-conceived intentions for the piece:

"But for all its faults Hedges' book is an important one. It is a kick up the rear for liberals and this is always a good thing."

As for Chris Hedges, who gives a fig? (Sounds like sour grapes to me.)

This article infers that the Republicans are pure as the driven snow, and that Barak Obama is inept because he has failed, thus far, to do much to wind back the excesses instigated by his Republican predecessors, JWB included. What a load of crock. I suppose having a Republican dominated Congress and Senate has nothing to do with the many difficulties Obama has been facing? (Including regarding JW's tax cuts for the rich.) And Barak has been taking the flack for the US involvement in Iraq and Afghanistan - which were none of his making. Unbiased reportage?? (We must be getting close to the bottom of the barrel.)

Arjay,

Osama Bin Laden 'assassinated'? Poor innocent lamb. My heart bleeds.

Greg Barns,
I agree with what I take to be the message of Chris Hedges's book. Gradualism, that is the piecemeal reformism of the last fifty years, is worse than a failure, and the liberal side of politics is functionally complicit in the never-ending j-curve of inequities and neo-liberal ascendency that prevails. So-called piecemeal reforms accomplish the opposite; they actually toughen prevailing power-structures by challenging them, just as an incomplete course of antibiotics also has the opposite effect.
We all profess to abhor violence, but just as we see in the Middle East and via US interventions, and down throughout history, prevailing powers go on exploiting their privileged positions until they're forcibly removed. Or until they collapse under their own weight, which appears to be the imminent fate of the US and its satellites.

Well the current political system in America is controlled by money and lobbyists! And President Obama; for all his promise and powerful oratory is controlled by the hill?
Elections can be decided by as few as 4% of potential voters; and then decided by the one third, who know nothing about politics or the actual issues that need to be addressed?
It is hardly surprising that there is a rising tide of resistance/rebellion; as evidenced in the occupy wall street movement; given political parties are all but divided against the people; and or, in league, with very powerful vested interests determined to protect the status quo?
The occupy wall street movement will become immensely powerful and million times more effective; if it morphs into a consumer organisation; able to impose extremely enduring consumer boycotts of this or that firm's entire product; and or, services range.
If it is true that money talks; and or, that politicians of all political persuasion listen to it; then consumer boycotts ought to put the frighteners right through them; and, perhaps beget an overdue attitude adjustment, where the people, with their ultimate buying power come first, or out on top?