tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36265842011-04-21T20:43:51.829-04:00FreeconWhere freedom and economics meet.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comBlogger2601100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-841529322002-11-06T23:00:00.000-05:002002-11-06T23:00:43.560-05:00HIGHER EDUCATION:
Mike Hendrix alerts us to one of the more reprehensible vermin on this earth, much less in this Country. And, wouldn't you know it? He's a professor of History at Saint Xavier University.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-841492152002-11-06T21:41:00.000-05:002002-11-06T21:43:51.000-05:00ONE MORE THING:
I think last night's overwhelming affirmation of an anti-Democratic agenda means that I should never again have to hear "Bush -- the President-select, not elect" or any other such tripe. In fact, the next time anyone mentions a comparable distortion of the facts I think it would be perfectly within the bounds of respectability to suggest a return to the system of duelling. Thismichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-841452572002-11-06T20:12:00.000-05:002002-11-06T21:02:50.000-05:00TOP TEN EXCUSES WE'LL NEVER HEAR FROM DEMOCRATS AS TO WHY THE GOP WON:
(10) MacAuliffe, Daschle and Gephardt are such doofuses its a wonder anybody votes Democrat.
(9) The Country really has shifted too far to the Left ... it was just time for a much-needed adjustment back towards reality.
(8) Barbra (and Hollywood in general) has entirely too much influence on the direction of the party, michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-841446472002-11-06T19:58:00.000-05:002002-11-06T19:58:32.000-05:00DAILY QUOTE:
"The first duty of society is to give each of its members the possibility of fulfilling his destiny. When it becomes incapable of performing this duty it must be transformed."
- Alexis Carrel, Reflections on Life
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-839228952002-11-02T11:40:00.000-05:002002-11-02T11:41:23.000-05:00ARMS FOR THE CHILDREN:
Suman Palit explains why gun education is more effective in de-mystifying guns for children than eliminating any talk about them whatsoever. I must agree wholeheartedly. If you believe what the Democrats say, ever single person (male?) is just one gun away from a murdererous rampage.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-838885892002-11-01T15:14:00.000-05:002002-11-02T10:16:02.000-05:00LEFT WING:
My commentary on the populist NBC hit "The West Wing" is belated because of work, but I had to get it out there all the same. I don't usually watch this program, primarily because I have a hard time distinguishing between it and the DNC platform. This past Wednesday, however, I decided to take a break and watch t.v. for awhile, and saw that The West Wing was getting ready to start.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-838871932002-11-01T14:42:00.000-05:002002-11-01T14:42:01.590-05:00DAILY QUOTE:
"I have a fantasy where Ted Turner is elected President but refuses because he doesn't want to give up power."
- Arthur C. Clarke
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-837442032002-10-29T19:59:00.000-05:002002-10-29T21:02:18.000-05:00THE 2ND AMENDMENT:
I haven't written too much on this subject, primarily because I find it best represented elsewhere. However, I am strongly in favor of enforcing the Second Amendment as written and not as some misguided, philanthropes would have you believe it should be "interpreted." It should be noted that I do not now, nor have I ever, owned a gun of any sort. I have certainly fired manymichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-837415982002-10-29T18:55:00.000-05:002002-10-29T18:55:43.000-05:00DAILY QUOTE:
An armed society is a polite society. Manners are good when one may have to back up his acts with his life.
- Robert A. Heinlein
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-836944572002-10-28T21:24:00.000-05:002002-10-28T21:58:04.000-05:00FLASHBACK:
Recently Radley Balko put together an excellent list of songs with libertarian themes, all of which were great selections. As is usual in such cases, suggestions came out of the woodwork in droves, and frankly most of them were excellent. Also as usual in these situations, I didn't come up with my own suggestion until the game was over, the place was cleaned up and I was picking michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-836928772002-10-28T20:49:00.000-05:002002-10-28T20:49:56.000-05:00DAILY QUOTE:
Character is higher than intellect. A great soul will be strong to live as well as think.
- Ralph Waldo Emerson
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835280952002-10-25T18:25:00.000-04:002002-10-25T18:26:33.000-04:00HAWK IN SHEEP'S CLOTHING?:
Reid & Taylor is a Scottish weaving company that is rumored to make the finest cloth in the world. According to David Farrer, G.W. Bush has ordered some very rare material from them to make some suits for next summer. The punch line is in the origin of the wool:
Escorial 12 Micron, at £800 per metre, is so rare that only one or two flocks in every Escorial breed michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835242442002-10-25T16:55:00.000-04:002002-10-25T16:57:43.000-04:00STUPID WHITE MAN:
If my name was Michael Moore, I think I would steer well clear of Rachel Lucas. In fact, if my name was Michael Moore I would run away with my best buddy Michael Bellesiles to France where I could be amongst my intellectual and political equals. No wait, maybe I would just kill myself ... but I'm against guns ... maybe I'd gorge myself on burgers and fries and buckets of lardmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835213312002-10-25T15:56:00.000-04:002002-10-25T15:56:28.950-04:00BYE-BYE BELLESILES:
According to a statement released by Robert A. Paul, Interim Dean of Emory College, controversial "historian" Michael Bellesiles has resigned. Yeah, I know what you're thinking -- "What? So soon!?! [link via InstaPundit]
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835171782002-10-25T14:39:00.000-04:002002-10-25T15:57:03.000-04:00PREDICTIONS:
Casey Lartigue has some interesting (and probably pretty accurate) predictions about reactions by the black community to the Cowardly Killers.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835169782002-10-25T14:35:00.000-04:002002-10-25T14:35:27.280-04:00SEN. PAUL WELLSTONE R.I.P.:
I disgreed with everything this man said, thought and advocated for, and it is highly unlikely that that would ever change. Nevertheless, the man served his state and his country and for that he earned my respect. May he and his family rest in peace.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835161612002-10-25T11:46:00.000-04:002002-10-25T11:47:45.000-04:00INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY:
Most of us think of "property" as something tangible such as land or our car. When it comes to music and video, however, it is often only the artist or producer who sees such as "property". The concept of "exclusion" is obscured when one's use of something does not preclude another's. Yet these products of our intellectual labors can be protected by the rule of law, andmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835147342002-10-25T11:07:00.000-04:002002-10-25T11:07:19.446-04:00RETURN OF THE SCOURGE:
If you've ever wondered if WaPo columnist Richard Cohen is just some fictional character contrived for the purpose of ridicule -- kind of like a pundit effigy -- well the most likely candidate for that contrivance is back at SQNP. Come on Charles, take off that Richard Cohen mask. We all know it's you. In any event, four brand-spanking new Scourges have been served up michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835130392002-10-25T10:22:00.000-04:002002-10-25T10:26:38.000-04:00SHEEP IN WOLVES CLOTHING:
I remember being grounded (a lot) as a kid, usually by being banished to the confines of my room for some arbitrary period of time. This was of course during the pre-computer era and the most entertaining things in my room were books and Lincoln Logs. Eventually I would try to convince my parents that if my friends came over to hang out in my room it was still me michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-835126682002-10-25T10:12:00.000-04:002002-10-25T10:12:46.196-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
In a state-run society the government promises you security. But it's a false promise predicated on the idea that the opposite of security is risk. Nothing could be further from the truth. The opposite of security is insecurity, and the only way to overcome insecurity is to take risks. The gentle government that promises to hold your hand as you cross the street refuses to let go onmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-834955842002-10-24T23:55:00.000-04:002002-10-24T23:59:50.000-04:00ALWAYS LEAVE 'EM LAUGHIN':
Some great Bengals jokes courtesy of C.Dodd Harris IV (who got them from hi pal "Phil"):
Q. What's the difference between the Cincinnati Bengals & the Taliban?
A. The Taliban had a running game.
Q. What do the Cincinnati Bengals & Billy Graham have in common?
A. They both can make 60,000 people stand up & yell "Jesus Christ!"
Q. How do you keep a Cincinnati michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-834949082002-10-24T23:39:00.000-04:002002-10-24T23:40:33.000-04:00HIPHOP CAUCUS?:
Cal Ulmann links to an interesting article about the disconnect between the HipHop and Civil Rights generations in the black community, citing in particular LL Cool J's endorsement of Pataki over the black candidate McCall. I guess I had thought of it more as a Baby Boomer vs. Gen-X thing. IMHO, our generation is much more independently minded than the Boomers, and much more michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-834929832002-10-24T22:54:00.000-04:002002-10-26T00:10:08.000-04:00AMMUNITION:
The other night I got together with a couple of my good buddies and we got our drink on pretty hard. As is customary at these sorts of things, heated "discussion" broke out and, to make a long story short, I think some of my friends got a little bottled-up annoyance with yours truly of their chest. You see, I have this terribly annoying habit of spouting off about socialists, taxesmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-834923112002-10-24T22:40:00.000-04:002002-10-24T22:40:22.573-04:00DAILY QUOTE
"Good people do not need laws to tell them to act responsibly, while bad people will find a way around the laws."
- Plato
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-834921072002-10-24T22:35:00.000-04:002002-10-24T22:36:20.000-04:00BACK IN THE SADDLE:
I haven't posted in awhile because I was sick and had a lot of work to do. Then my computer decided to take a hiatus and it took me some time to coax it back into working order. For the one or two of you who actually care, sorry. For the rest of you (stop laughing!) we return you to our regularly scheduled programming.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-834060932002-10-23T10:33:00.000-04:002002-10-23T10:33:01.400-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"The politicians don't just want your money. They want your soul. They want you to be worn down by taxes until you are dependent and helpless. When you subsidize poverty and failure, you get more of both."
- James Dale Davidson
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-833661542002-10-22T16:00:00.000-04:002002-10-22T23:20:58.000-04:00IN THEIR OWN WORDS:
As I have said before, Fascism is a Leftist doctrine, as explained in this FrontPage article by John J. Ray. The key ingredients are all there: centralized political and economic power and a directed society. What's so great about Ray's article is that he uses Mussolini's own words to draw the comparison between Italian fascism and the Western Left. One of my favorite michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-833510052002-10-22T09:54:00.000-04:002002-10-22T10:30:39.000-04:00COWARDLY KILLER - II:
The desensitization is already setting in. People are starting to make macabre jokes and turn to other ventures. This morning, the likely 13th victim of a sadly deranged murderer(s) was shot in the chest while standing on the top step of a commuter bus. The predictable traffic follies quickly ensued and what is normally a nightmarish headache was made even worse. More michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-833502982002-10-22T09:37:00.000-04:002002-10-22T09:37:13.490-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"Illegitimis non carborundum." (Lat., "Don't let the bastards grind you down.")
- Gen. Joseph Stilwell
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-833330472002-10-21T23:35:00.000-04:002002-10-21T23:36:15.000-04:00IF ONLY IT WERE TRUE:
Just a glimpse of every good libertarian's dream day!
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-832986112002-10-21T10:41:00.000-04:002002-10-21T10:41:51.753-04:00RICARDO REDUX:
Comparative advantage is the theory that the most productive expenditure of capital and labor is the most efficient expenditure. One example is the quote below by David Ricardo who developed the theory. A more modern example is provided by Radley Balko at the Agitator. Yet another concrete example can be seen in the fact that in Cuba, where resources are as a matter of law michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-832972762002-10-21T10:13:00.000-04:002002-10-21T10:13:16.890-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
To produce the wine in Portugal, might require only the labour of 80 men for one year, and to produce the cloth in the same country, might require the labour of 90 men for the same time. It would therefore be advantageous for her to export wine in exchange for cloth. This exchange might even take place, notwithstanding that the commodity imported by Portugal could be produced there michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831789502002-10-18T14:01:00.000-04:002002-10-18T14:06:32.000-04:00UNIONISM, PART DEUX:
Really this is a good companion to one of my previous posts, but concentrating more on the politics of maintaining a monopoly by pointing out the cronyism involving Nancy Pelosi.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831780872002-10-18T13:41:00.000-04:002002-10-18T13:41:22.553-04:00MILK REALLY DOES DO A BODY GOOD:
First read this. Now go to Cold Fury and read the post-game analysis.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831771292002-10-18T13:19:00.000-04:002002-10-18T13:19:13.000-04:00UNIONISM:
Great post from The Ville with quote from T.J.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831705282002-10-18T10:52:00.000-04:002002-10-18T10:54:17.000-04:00FREE MARKET AT WORK:
Well, mostly anyway. Casey Lartigue discusses an example of entrepreneurship commented upon by William Raspberry in a WashPo editorial. Some kids decided to act as the delivery men for their neighborhood when Domino's, Pizza Hut, et al. refused to do so.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831683902002-10-18T10:03:00.000-04:002002-10-18T10:03:15.960-04:00WHY THE LEFT CAN'T COMPETE:
Ben Shapiro claims it's because they can't stand the criticism:
It is easy for liberals to air their views when the audience cannot challenge them. Network news is a perfect example -- when Peter Jennings sympathizes with Palestinian suicide bombers, viewers can kick their televisions and scream at Jennings, but Jennings cannot hear them. If Jennings had a talk show,michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831677972002-10-18T09:49:00.000-04:002002-10-18T09:49:17.286-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"Were it left to me to decide whether we should have a government without newspapers, or newspapers without a government, I should not hesitate a moment to prefer the latter."
-Thomas Jefferson, "Letter to Col. Edward Carrington", January 16, 1787
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831327892002-10-17T16:09:00.000-04:002002-10-17T16:10:50.000-04:00POT vs. KETTLE SAGA:
Larry Elder points out the they-can-dish-it-out-but-can't-take-it attitude exhibited by many of the so-called leaders of the black community in America. Incidently, he also has a new book out called Showdown which is supposed to be very good.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831320642002-10-17T15:52:00.000-04:002002-10-17T15:53:21.000-04:00WEST WING WANING?
According to this critique, the populist - er, popular NBC hit, The Left -- er, West Wing is experinceing a drop-off in viewership. One of the reasons cited is:
Whether the plot has Toby, Josh and Donna (Richard Schiff, Bradley Whitford, Janel Moloney) getting stranded in Indiana and being forced to interact with the folksy locals; or president Josiah Bartlett (Martin Sheen) michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831302382002-10-17T15:07:00.000-04:002002-10-17T15:09:41.000-04:00PBS SPECIALS FOR DUMMIES:
Michael, one of the Blowhards, reviews a PBS special on Stephen Foster (composer of such ditties as "Camptown Races", "Oh, Susanna", and "Jeanie With the Light Brown Hair") and offers some sage advice for you do-it-yourself types:
For readers who have ambitions to make it in the world of PBS documentaries, 2blowhards herewith offers a partial catalog of michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831269382002-10-17T13:49:00.000-04:002002-10-17T13:49:21.983-04:00LIBERTARIAN SMACKDOWN:
Recently I've been looking for intelligent commentary on the problems with libertarianism, but I've been mostly disappointed. Perry de Havilland thought he had come across a good critique, but after a thorough fisking, it really doesn't measure up.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831230072002-10-17T12:19:00.000-04:002002-10-17T12:19:56.000-04:00LIBERTARIAN CANDIDATE IN ILLINOIS:
Thanks to John Huddock for directing me to this site for Stephanie Sailor who's running on a $0 campaign fund. Unfortunately, I don't think Illinois puts out a Ladies of Liberty Calendar.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831202442002-10-17T11:16:00.000-04:002002-10-17T11:19:29.000-04:00McNANNY STATE:
Casey Lartigue has a few comments about HHS Tommy Thompson's "suggestions" to the fast-food industry. [link via Radley Balko] He leads off with one of my favorite T.J. quotes:
“Were we directed from Washington when to sow and to reap, we should soon want bread.”
--Thomas Jefferson
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831195532002-10-17T11:01:00.000-04:002002-10-17T11:01:40.323-04:00SONGS OF LIBERTY:
Radley Balko (a.k.a. the Agitator) has an article on Tech Central Station that lists the 12 best libertarian rock songs.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831193702002-10-17T10:57:00.000-04:002002-10-17T11:03:29.000-04:00STYX TRIBUTE TO PORT AUTHORITY:
I saw Styx perform "Too Much Time on My Hands" live and "unplugged" this morning on Fox and Friends in honor of the N.Y. Port Authority. They and a bunch of other musicians are trying to raise money for the NYPA. The performance was superb.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-831185992002-10-17T10:40:00.000-04:002002-10-17T10:40:20.940-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
Nothing is so galling to a people not broken in from the birth as a paternal, or, in other words, a meddling government, a government which tells them what to read, and say, and eat, and drink and wear.
- Thomas Babington, Lord Macaulay, Southey's Colloquies on Society par. SC.69
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-830819142002-10-16T17:30:00.000-04:002002-10-16T17:33:33.000-04:00BALLISTIC FINGERPRINTS:
E. Rush Carskadden at Freeside lays down the facts confronting ballistic fingerprinting. You should also click through to the Spinsanity post taking on Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) re this issue.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-830600812002-10-16T09:41:00.000-04:002002-10-16T09:41:52.000-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
Life, liberty, and property do not exist because men have made laws. On the contrary, it was the fact that life, liberty, and property existed beforehand that caused men to make laws in the first place.
- Frederic Bastiat, The Law par. L.6
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-830328882002-10-15T17:42:00.000-04:002002-10-15T17:43:14.000-04:00THE NORTH POLL:
Earnest reporting from Scrappleface has exposed how the DNC plans to exploit the latest poll showing that many Americans want to annex Canada:
"This is something we can believe in and our members can identify with," said DNC Chairman Terry McAuliffe. "A lot of Democrats lived in Canada during the Vietnam era, so it's like a second home for us. Plus, with socialized healthcare michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-830242232002-10-15T14:18:00.000-04:002002-10-15T14:18:45.000-04:00PROGRESS AGAINST PROGRESSIVISM:
Robert L. Bartley's synopsis of a recent meeting of the Mont Pelerin Society reveals how far we have come, and how far we still have to go. [link via Pejman Pundit].
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-830240952002-10-15T14:14:00.000-04:002002-10-15T14:14:55.640-04:00ASK AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE:
Tim Blair has asked for emails of support to be sent to the Australian newspapers in regards to the Bali blast: The Australian; the Sydney Morning Herald; and The Age. My prayers shall go out as well.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-830144022002-10-15T10:15:00.000-04:002002-10-15T10:16:49.000-04:00THE COWARDLY KILLER:
From this day forward I refuse to refer to that poor excuse of a human being running around the Washington, D.C. metro area shooting people as the "Beltway Sniper." Instead, I will call a spade a spade. This guy is a common coward and nothing more. Snipers actually face adversity by breaching enemy lines and shooting enemy combatants. There's nothing sniperish about michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-830137172002-10-15T09:59:00.000-04:002002-10-15T10:00:24.000-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
The coward only threatens when he is safe.
[Ger., Der Fiege droht nur, wo er sicher ist.]
- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Torquato Tasso (II, 3, 207)
What a slave art thou to hack thy sword as thou hast done, and then say it was in fight!
- William Shakespeare, King Henry the Fourth, Part I (Prince Henry at II, iv)
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-829843472002-10-14T18:39:00.000-04:002002-10-14T18:39:12.446-04:00COMIC RELIEF:
If your in the mood for some gut-bustin', check this out. [link via Common Sense and Wonder]michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-829818432002-10-14T17:34:00.000-04:002002-10-14T17:34:34.370-04:00JERSEY GIRLS:
For those of you who enjoyed this link, the New Jersey GOP offers up this profusion of pulchritude. Maybe it's not such a bad place after all ...
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-829814772002-10-14T17:25:00.000-04:002002-10-14T17:25:34.893-04:00LINKY LOVE:
Hello to any Freeside readers. Set yourself down and stay awhile! I must extend a thank you to E. Rush Carskadden and Scott Danahy for this post and my favorite ("damn fine site, actually - I've added it to my dailies"). I sure hope you fellas, and your visitors, continue to come back and enjoy.
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-829736322002-10-14T14:08:00.000-04:002002-10-14T14:08:26.663-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"Economic power is exercised by means of a positive, by offering men a reward, an incentive, a payment, a value; political power is exercised by means of a negative, by the threat of punishment, injury, imprisonment, destruction. The businessman's tool is values; the bureaucrat's tool is fear."
- Ayn Rand
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-828395672002-10-11T09:29:00.000-04:002002-10-11T09:39:22.000-04:00CATCH-UP:
- I was proud to learn that one of my alma mater's professors earned the Nobel Prize in Economics.
- Police Chief Charles Moose should either hire a spokesman or stop giving interviews altogether because his demeanor on camera is horrible. I watch Fox and Friends in the mornings before work, and every day since this sniper business began they have interviewed him on that program. michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-828385662002-10-11T08:58:00.000-04:002002-10-11T08:58:56.213-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"For Americans war is almost all of the time a nuisance, and military skill is a luxury like Mah-Jongg. But when the issue is brought home to them, war becomes as important, for the necessary period, as business or sport. And it is hard to decide which is likely to be the more ominous for the Axis -- an American decision that this is sport, or that it is business."
- D. W. Brogan, michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-827885272002-10-10T08:54:00.000-04:002002-10-10T08:54:17.000-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"Guard with jealous attention the public liberty. Suspect everyone who approaches that jewel. Unfortunately, nothing will preserve it but downright force. Whenever you give up that force, you are inevitably ruined."
- Patrick Henry
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-827536482002-10-09T15:43:00.000-04:002002-10-10T09:46:21.000-04:00HANDWRINGERS.COM:
I came across this ad by Peace Action on the Metro during my commute home from work. Normally I read the paper or a book, but on this particular day it was too crowded so I was forced to take in the framed, poster advertising that adorns the Metro cars' interior walls. Compared to some of the other socialist tripe that adorns these walls, a picture of pigs blasting off into michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-827391082002-10-09T09:56:00.000-04:002002-10-09T09:59:27.000-04:00PROPERTY RIGHTS AND N.J. ELECTIONS:
I don't think there's much question that the ruling by the New Jersey Supreme Court in the Lautenberg matter is a blatant usurpation of authority and a slap in the face to N.J. lawmakers. The weak reasoning, that the voters deserve a choice, only highlights the inappropriateness of this ruling since (a) the voters do have a choice -- even with no Democrat michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-827380202002-10-09T09:28:00.000-04:002002-10-09T09:28:46.886-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
This, then, is freedom in the external life of man—that he is independent of the arbitrary power of his fellows.
- Ludwig von Mises, Socialism par. II.9.26
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-827082092002-10-08T17:51:00.000-04:002002-10-08T18:07:12.000-04:00WHAT'S IN A NAME?:
Well a lot really. For example, the way that Democrats and those of their leftist ilk are referred to as "liberals" when in reality they epitomise the exact opposite. David Carr is trying to take back the stolen definition and put it where it truly belongs. I couldn't agree more, and have tried to adhere to the policy of calling the American left anything other than "michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-827052792002-10-08T16:46:00.000-04:002002-10-08T16:48:02.000-04:00NY TIMES LIES - YET AGAIN:
In yesterday's edition of the N.Y. Times, the following headline dominated the front page -- Public Says Bush Needs to Pay Heed to Weak Economy. The story didn't actually produce any numbers, however, and I was pretty skeptical from the start. Luckily, David Tell, on The Daily Standard took a look behind the numbers. [link via InstaPundit].
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-826873832002-10-08T09:44:00.000-04:002002-10-08T09:44:29.673-04:00PUNK ROCK CAUCUS:
According to Larry Miller at the Weekly Standard, the punk rock generation holds "W" in higher regard than you might think, and they aren't afraid to say it. [link via Occam's Toothbrush].michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-826867462002-10-08T09:28:00.000-04:002002-10-08T09:28:18.030-04:00HISTORY OF ISLAM:
Recently on 60 Minutes, Rev. Jerry Falwell referred to the founder of Islam as a terrorist. A rather long essay is posted here that would tend to back him up. [link via Stuart Buck]. From what I know of the history of Islam, almost immediately after Muhammad founded the religion he and his followers went on a "cleansing" rampage that didn't peter out until they reached michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-826863382002-10-08T09:15:00.000-04:002002-10-08T09:15:46.483-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"I think we have more machinery of government than is necessary, too many parasites living on the labor of the industrious."
- Thomas Jefferson
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-826581932002-10-07T18:37:00.000-04:002002-10-07T18:37:50.733-04:00FACTS TO KEEP IN MIND:
David G. Littman has some interesting facts about the Middle East that should be kept in mind when reading the "news" about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. [link via LGF]michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-826549942002-10-07T17:22:00.000-04:002002-10-07T17:51:11.000-04:00NEW JERSEY DEMS AND CHICAGO THUGS:
Unsurprisingly, the U.S. Supreme Court refused to block the N.J. Supreme Court's order allowing Lautenberg to replace Torricelli on the Nov. 5 ballot. The Republican candidate, Forrestor, warned that letting such a decision stand would encourage the sort of invective delivered in this post by John Coumarianos at Innocents Abroad. I agree with the High Court michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-826543802002-10-07T17:09:00.000-04:002002-10-07T17:09:24.800-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"Experience should teach us to be most on our guard to protect liberty when the government's purposes are beneficial. The greatest dangers to liberty lurk in insidious encroachment by men of zeal, well meaning but without understanding."
- Justice Louis D. Brandeis
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-825201942002-10-04T11:56:00.000-04:002002-10-04T12:00:13.000-04:00WAR FOR OIL?:
In all honesty, the coming conflict with Iraq is at least partially about oil. Denying this fact only makes the case for war seem weak. However, as John Huddock points out, this does not mean that the oil impetus is about making Bush and Cheney's buddies rich. In fact, the introduction of free market principles to the part of the oil market currently controlled by Iraq would michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-825152802002-10-04T09:52:00.000-04:002002-10-04T09:52:14.186-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
Some see private enterprise as a predatory target to be shot, others as a cow to be milked, but few are those who see it as a sturdy horse pulling the wagon.
- Winston Churchill
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824759532002-10-03T13:56:00.000-04:002002-10-03T14:16:44.000-04:00WHO'S THE SMARTEST KID ON THE BLOCK?:
"Who cares" is Stuart Buck's answer. I can't keep count of how many times I hear "Bush is such an idiot! How can he be running our country?" The same things used to be said about Reagan. In fact, isn't this the whole premise of the Left Wing? That liberals are smarter than conservatives, and since they know so much more about what's better for the michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824749292002-10-03T13:30:00.000-04:002002-10-03T13:30:34.060-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
"Government is not reason, it is not eloquence, it is force; like fire, a troublesome servant and a fearful master. Never for a moment should it be left to irresponsible action."
- George Washington
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824645262002-10-03T09:15:00.000-04:002002-10-03T09:56:04.000-04:00IN MEMORIUM - WESLEY LIEBELER:
I've just learned this morning that my Antitrust professor, Wesley Liebeler was killed in a plane crash in New Hampshire last week. I did not have a very good grasp of law and economics until I met him. And while my understanding of the subject is still rudimentary, I can honestly say that few teachers have had the impact on me that he had. He will be sorely michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824353422002-10-02T17:49:00.000-04:002002-10-02T17:49:59.676-04:00BILLY AND THE BRITS:
David Carr at Libertarian Samizdata did us all a favor and summarized Clinton's recent speech at the Labour Party Annual Conference in Blackpool:
"Mah friends, I am so pleased to be here with you today because we all share a common vision; one of peace, one of hope, one of children. Children, children, children, children. That's what we're about: children. And that's what michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824348222002-10-02T17:36:00.000-04:002002-10-02T17:36:18.003-04:00IBERIAN MADNESS:
This new addition to the Freecon Links Bar has some pretty interesting posts on it. I especially like this one:
Oct. 1, 2002: The FC Barcelona basketball team has a player from somewhere like Lithuania whose surname is Fucka. No, as far as we know, his first name is not "Mutha".
Unfortunately, you have to scroll through everything since they don't have permlinks. On the michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824211512002-10-02T12:03:00.000-04:002002-10-02T12:05:12.000-04:00WHY LET FACTS SPOIL A GOOD PARTY:
In case you've ever wondered how the U.N. operates, Collin May offers this concise M.O.:
Look for a possible problem of global import, play with the figures in order to prove the problem’s existence, blame free market forces for the problem to ensure they can’t be part of the solution, and then assert the need for an unelected centralized global bureaucracy to michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824189502002-10-02T11:14:00.000-04:002002-10-02T11:14:51.000-04:00WAR AMONG DEMOCRACIES:
Pejman Yousefzadeh takes issue with the Objectivist view of foreign policy that one of the benefits of the spread of democracy is a decrese in the frequency of wars. I think Pejman presents a good case, but I'm not sure he carries the day. One the primary reasons wider spread democracy (of the republican form, as opposed to majority-rule) results in fewer wars is that michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824170402002-10-02T10:31:00.000-04:002002-10-02T10:31:42.420-04:00UNIONISM:
The lockout of the International Longshoreman and Warehouse Union members on the west coast is all over the attempt to upgrade the ports' technology:
At issue is the addition of new technology at West Coast ports, which union officials say would eliminate jobs. Union members earn $80,000 to $150,000 a year, sometimes for doing the outdated jobs of entering shipping data by hand.
Thismichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-824161262002-10-02T10:09:00.000-04:002002-10-02T10:10:55.000-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
You get two today, both with an eye toward the Left Coast.
"Hard work spotlights the character of people: some turn up their sleeves, some turn up their noses, and some don't turn up at all."
- Sam Ewig
"Our Age of Anxiety is, in great part, the result of trying to do today's jobs with yesterday's tools."
- Marshall McLuhanmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-823842852002-10-01T17:53:00.000-04:002002-10-01T17:54:46.000-04:00COLLECTIVISM BY ANY OTHER NAME:
Innocents Abroad's John Coumarianos outlines and analyzes what John Fonte calls "Transnational Progressivism." Captain Den Beste commented (at great length) on Fonte's theory not too long ago.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-823837152002-10-01T17:40:00.000-04:002002-10-01T17:41:05.000-04:00BABS BASHING:
As if she hasn't been hounded enough, what with the "frightening" Bush, Cheney, Rumsfeld and Ashcroft. Matt Drudge had to go picking out Barbara Streisand's little mistakes about Shakespeare. I guess that because "a friendly eye could never see such faults." (Jul Caesar, Act iv, Sc.3). [link via Juan Gato]
michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-823829262002-10-01T17:23:00.000-04:002002-10-01T17:23:39.000-04:00BLIND JUSTICE:
According to this post by Peter Cuthbertson of Conservative Commentary, blind Australians have finally broken through the discrimintion barrier. It is now illegal to prevent them from becoming airline pilots.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-823822152002-10-01T17:07:00.000-04:002002-10-01T17:07:02.423-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
It is inaccurate to say that I hate everything. I am strongly in favor of common sense, common honesty, and common decency. This makes me forever ineligible for public office.
- H. L. Menckenmichaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-823250252002-09-30T15:00:00.000-04:002002-09-30T16:22:06.000-04:00CHILD PORN LAW:
Recently, a Wired article about the rigidity of child porn laws (i.e. imprisonment for simple, inadvertant possession) raised some eyebrows and some ruckus. Then C.D. Harris IV at Ipse Dixit did a rigorous analysis of the Wired claims and discovered that the article was somewhat lacking:
I thought that the article seemed a bit overblown, so I did what the author apparently michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-823178832002-09-30T12:08:00.000-04:002002-09-30T12:08:10.373-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
While the State exists, there can be no freedom. When there is freedom there will be no State.
- Vladimir Ilyich Ulyanov ("Lenin"), State and Revolution, 1919michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-823164922002-09-30T11:34:00.000-04:002002-09-30T11:34:34.553-04:00POTENT QUOTABLES:
Cato the Youngest offers a well-chosen series of Tolkien quotes relating to the regrettable necessity of war. Cato (Riyadh Delenda Est) adds some inciteful comments as well.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-822026082002-09-27T14:17:00.000-04:002002-09-27T14:18:13.000-04:00"THE STATE IS NOT YOUR FRIEND":
So sayeth Perry de Havilland at Libertarian Samizdata. He makes a compelling case.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-822016132002-09-27T13:55:00.000-04:002002-09-27T13:55:22.946-04:00SCOURGE:
The latest from Charles Austin at SQNP. Learn it. Know it. Live it.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-821985092002-09-27T12:40:00.000-04:002002-09-27T12:40:18.736-04:00UNILATERILISM FOR EVERYONE!:
John Coumarianos at Innocents Abroad praises a piece by Fareed Zakaria for pointing out that Tony Blair is now forcing Europe's hand in regard to Iraq. John also finds the European cries of "unilateralism" more than a little two-faced:
We all know how Europe has handled Saddam until now -- by letting greed rule to such an extent as to make Gordon Gekko blush. And michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-821964552002-09-27T11:46:00.000-04:002002-09-27T11:46:48.113-04:00DAILY QUOTE:
Sorry I've been so lax about getting these up. Anyway, here it is -
"Democracy is a form of government that cannot long survive, for as soon as the people learn that they have a voice in the fiscal policies of the government, they will move to vote for themselves all the money in the treasury, and bankrupt the nation."
-- Karl Marx, 1848 michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-821930352002-09-27T10:25:00.000-04:002002-09-27T11:08:01.000-04:00THE LUNATICS ARE ON THE GRASS:
D.C. is like a ghost town today. The anti-globilization/anarchist/communist/socialist/dirt-hippie/clueless protesters descended upon the city today in order to disrupt the meeting of the World Bank and the IMF, as well as anyone else who conveniently got in the way. Only most of Washington's daytime denizens gave the crowd a collective head fake and decided to michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-820941282002-09-25T10:03:00.000-04:002002-09-25T10:03:25.303-04:00While doing some research I came across this interesting piece by the Joint Economic Committee - The Reagan Tax Cuts: Lessons for Tax Reform. It's concise, informative and probably well known by now, but a great reference piece just the same.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-820133742002-09-23T18:09:00.000-04:002002-09-24T11:00:50.000-04:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY:
Michael Wade - 1968
Bruce Springsteen - 1949
Ray Charles - 1930
John Coltrane - 1926
Caesar Augustus - 63 B.C.
among many others.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-820030982002-09-23T14:00:00.000-04:002002-09-23T14:50:06.000-04:00HOW TO WIN GRACIOUSLY:
I was reading the "Around the Nation" section of the Washington Times today when I noticed the Oregon piece:
OREGON
Anti-tax activist under fire in lawsuit
PORTLAND — A former house painter who became one of the most powerful political influences on the Oregon tax system by taking initiatives directly to the voters is in court to answer questions about his own michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-818840542002-09-20T15:26:00.000-04:002002-09-20T15:27:14.000-04:00LEXICON APPRECIATION:
C.D. Harris IV at Ipse Dixit posted this link to the 100 words everyone should know by Houghton Mifflin. Some tough words included here, but I think it's a fairly good compilation. Dodd's right BTW. "Euro" should not be on this list.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3626584.post-818836942002-09-20T15:17:00.000-04:002002-09-20T15:17:34.346-04:00CORPORATE TAX COLLECTION:
John Huddock at Common Sense and Wonder links to a great article about why the coprate tax should be abolished, by Sheldon Richman.michaelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09969217953007299655noreply@blogger.com